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, 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 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 […]