Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) launched its centennial celebration during its 2026 Innovation Showcase, marking 100 years since independent retailers united in 1926 to compete against the growing power of chain stores. Today, the cooperative serves 1,100 member companies and 3,500 locations across 33 states, making it the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler. The Innovation Showcase […]
Category: Midwest
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Volunteer Registration Open For Meijer LPGA Classic For Simply Give
Volunteer registration is open for the 12th Annual Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, set for June 18-21 at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan. The tournament is seeking more than 1,400 volunteers to support the event, which combines LPGA Tour competition with hunger-relief fundraising through Meijer’s Simply Give program. The fee to volunteer is […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Anniversary Issues, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Feature, Featured News, Midwest, News, Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year
AWG’s Cooperative Strength Positions Independent Grocers For Future
As Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, the cooperative is reflecting on a century defined by independent spirit, shared success and an unwavering commitment to its members – while keeping its focus firmly on what comes next. Founded in 1926 by a group of independent grocers who believed they were stronger […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, Midwest, News, The Kroger Co.
Kroger, Peoria Area Anti-Hunger Coalition Launch Annual Canathon Food Drive
The Peoria Area Anti-Hunger Coalition launched its 40th annual Canathon food drive March 19 at area Kroger stores, collecting donations through the end of March with a goal of 50,000 pounds of food for 11 participating central Illinois food pantries. Kroger opened the drive with $1,000 in non-perishable food donations and $1,500 in Kroger gift […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Midwest, News, Schnucks
Schnucks Raises $100K Through Urban League Campaign
Schnucks Markets and its customers raised $100,000 for the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis through the sixth annual Round Up at the Register campaign Feb. 4-17. Customers contributed $83,624 at checkout, with Schnucks adding $16,376. All St. Louis-area donations are directed to the Urban League’s Save Our Sons and Save Our Sisters programs. Round-ups […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, Midwest, SpartanNash
Needler’s Fresh Market Opens New Store In Anderson, IN
Needler’s Fresh Market celebrated the grand opening of a new location March 20 in Anderson, Indiana, marking a milestone for the community and expanding grocery access on the city’s west side. Located at 2810 Nichol Ave., the store is the newest Needler’s Fresh Market in Ohio and Indiana. “Our goal is to be more than […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, Midwest, News
AWG Rolls Out SmartMeals AI Shopping Assistant
Associated Wholesale Grocers‘ (AWG) SmartMeals, its artificial intelligence-powered meal planning and shopping assistant built in partnership with Breez AI Corporation, has moved from pilot to wide-scale deployment across its member network. Nearly 100 AWG member stores are now onboarded, with 85 stores going live in January and additional rollouts under way. The announcement comes as […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, Midwest, News
MGA’s 2025 Bag Hunger Campaign Raises 1.9M Meals Statewide
The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) announced the Silver Plate Award winners of its 2025 Bag Hunger Campaign, which collected 1.9 million meals and $16,500 for neighborhood hunger-relief organizations across the state. Since the program launched in 2008, MGA hunger campaigns have delivered more than 47 million meals to Minnesota families. The campaign engages grocers, vendor […]