Niman Ranch named the Wilson family of Iowa’s Seven W Farm as its 2025 Sustainable Farm of the Year, an honor coinciding with World Soil Health Day. The recognition highlights the family’s leadership in restoring soil health, protecting waterways and demonstrating how small, diversified farms can address the state’s water quality challenges. “The Wilson family […]
Category: Midwest
The Shelby Report of the Midwest covers grocery retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Follow the latest store openings, remodels, leadership changes and market news from the region.
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest, News, The Kroger Co.
Kroger Reports Q3 Results, Takes $2.6B Impairment On Fulfillment Network
On Dec. 4, The Kroger Co. reported third quarter 2025 results that included an operating loss of $1.54 billion, driven by a $2.6 billion impairment charge related to its automated fulfillment network. Excluding the impairment and other one-time items, the Cincinnati-based retailer posted adjusted earnings of $1.05 per share and raised its full-year guidance. Total […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, Midwest, News
PLMA’s 2025 Private Label Trade Show Draws 14K Attendees To Chicago
PLMA‘s 2025 Annual Private Label Trade Show, held Nov. 16-18 in Chicago, drew more than 14,000 attendees, including retailers, exhibitors, visitors and industry professionals from across the private label and retail sectors. The show featured hundreds of thousands of food and nonfood products across 3,000 booths with more than 1,900 exhibitors representing 63 countries. It […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News, Produce News, Schnucks
Schnucks Expands ‘Hyper Local’ Sourcing With Farm Direct-to-Store Program
Schnuck Markets Inc., in partnership with Foodshed.io, is expanding a farm direct-to-store concept – increasing the number and types of farms customers experience, with the goal of increasing flavor and freshness. The pilot program began in fall 2024, with one farm supplying multiple Schnucks locations across the St. Louis metro region. It has since expanded […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest, News
Fareway Breaks Ground On New Store In Coal Valley, IL
Fareway Stores Inc. has broken ground on a new location in Coal Valley, Illinois, marking the beginning of construction on a 17,000-square-foot store at 1st Street and Route 6 that is slated for completion next fall. “Communities depend on a local grocer to offer high-quality products at affordable prices with unmatched service,” said Fareway CEO […]
Posted inSustainability News, Midwest, News
Hormel Foods Names 2025 Class Of 10 Under 20 Food Heroes
Hormel Foods Corp. has announced its fourth cohort of 10 Under 20 Food Heroes, recognizing the efforts of young people across the U.S. who are working to create a more transparent, secure and sustainable food system. The Austin, Minnesota-based company will host the group at its global headquarters, where honorees will connect with Hormel Foods […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest, News
Fareway’s Kingma Named IGIA Volunteer Of The Year
Wesson Kingma, Fareway’s regional supervisor, has been named the 2025 Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA) Volunteer of the Year, recognized for his commitment to service, leadership and community involvement across the state. Kingma’s journey with the Johnston, Iowa-based retailer began at age 16 when he started as a courtesy clerk at the store in Pella. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest, News
Fareway Shares Leadership Transitions, Promotes 2 Executives
Fareway has shared several leadership transitions, as well as the promotion of two employees to officer roles. The personnel moves come as the company honors the retirements of executives who made lasting contributions to Fareway’s legacy. Mark DeYoung has been promoted to VP of retail construction and maintenance, while Roger Wirtz has been promoted to […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
DCEO Official Discusses Illinois Grocery Initiative’s Efforts To Strengthen Food Systems
As Illinois continues its efforts to ensure every resident has access to fresh, affordable food, the Illinois Grocery Initiative is leading the way in revitalizing communities and combating food insecurity statewide. Established in 2023, the program takes a multipronged approach to addressing food deserts – areas where residents face barriers to accessing fresh groceries – […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest, News
Fareway Opens First Full-Service Meat, Grocery Store in KS
Fareway Meat & Grocery recently held a grand opening for its first full-service meat and grocery store in Kansas – a 21,000 square foot location at 15790 State Ave. in Basehor, Kansas. “We are thrilled to open our doors in Basehor and continue growing in the great state of Kansas,” said Fareway CEO Reynolds Cramer. “This […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer Names Six Employees 2025 Legacy Award Recipients
Meijer has named the winners of its 2025 Legacy Awards, the retailer’s highest internal honors recognizing employees who demonstrate exceptional leadership and community service. The awards comprise the Fred Meijer Award, given annually to one person, and the Earl Holton President’s Award, which recognizes up to five employees. Toledo Market Director Randy Lewis received the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Grocers Face Headwinds Amid Economic Uncertainty In Illinois
The Illinois economy may be “chugging along a little bit,” but uncertainty remains high – and retailers, especially grocers, are feeling the strain. “I think I would call it shaky, but we’re certainly not in a recession,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “But as it relates to retail, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News, Sustainability News
Meijer Marks 90th Anniversary With Corporate Impact Report
Meijer surpassed its 2025 carbon emissions target a year ahead of schedule, according to the retailer’s latest Corporate Impact Report released to mark the company’s 90th anniversary. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based chain achieved a 57 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2018 levels, exceeding its original 50 percent goal. […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News
AWG Best Choice Wins Big During PLMA Salute To Excellence Awards
Best Choice, the flagship private brand of Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), received four 2025 Salute to Excellence Awards from the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA). The awards, which recognize innovation and quality in private label products, were announced Nov. 16-18 during PLMA’s 2025 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago. The four items are: Best Choice […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest, News
MGA Names Minnesota Grown Retailers Of The Year
The Minnesota Grocers Association, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown program, has named eight retailers as 2025-26 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year winners. Created by the agriculture department, the program promotes products grown and raised in Minnesota. For more than 40 years, it has connected consumers with local farmers, markets […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Coborn's, Finance News, Midwest, News
Coborn’s Market & Table To Add Restaurant Concepts
Coborn’s has begun a culinary partnership with Twin Cities Chef David Fhima, who will introduce three food-court-style restaurant concepts inside the Coborn’s Market & Table store opening in March in Plymouth, Minnesota. In addition, The Buttered Tin will have a full standalone restaurant within the store. The offerings are key components of Coborn’s “grocerant” model, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest, News, UNFI
Cub Foods Donates $200K To MN Food Banks, Nonprofits
Cub Foods, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UNFI, will contribute more than $200,000 during the holiday season in monetary and in-kind support to more than 50 Minnesota food banks and nonprofits. “At Cub, we believe in doing more than just providing great food at a great value – we believe in strengthening the communities we call […]
Posted inDairy News, Grocery Research, Midwest, News, Private Label Brands, SpartanNash
SpartanNash Introduces Flavored Butter Products For Thanksgiving
SpartanNash has introduced four varieties of flavored butter to help customers prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition, it partnered with Talker Research on a new survey, finding that butter is essential for holiday cooking. SpartanNash stores – including Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets and D&W Fresh Market – and select independent wholesale customers are […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Midwest, News
Chester’s Chicken Chuck Returns To Much Fanfare In Spencer, IN
A community event from 1940 was brought back recently as the Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Babbs Supermarket in Spencer, Indiana, hosted the Chester’s Chicken Chuck. The event, also held in partnership with the Owen County Community Foundation, Smithville and other local sponsors, took place on the courthouse lawn Sept. 6. In 1940, local […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Festival Foods, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest, News
Festival Foods, Smithfield Donate Protein To WI Food Banks
Festival Foods has partnered with Smithfield Foods to donate more than 34,000 pounds of protein to Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and St. Joseph Food Program in Menasha, Wisconsin. Donated items include ham, bacon and pork chops, which will provide more than 137,000 servings for those who need it in Wisconsin. “Giving back and […]