Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest, News, Supply Chain News

Smithfield Foods Plans $1.3B Processing Facility In Sioux Falls, SD

Smithfield Foods has initiated the approval process to build a packaged meats and fresh pork processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, representing a preliminary investment estimate of up to $1.3 billion over the next three years. The facility, subject to permitting and regulatory approvals, will be built in Foundation Park, a 1,000-acre heavy industrial […]

Posted inExecutive News, Featured News, Independent Store News, Midwest, News, Southeast, Southwest

Second Annual HFG Awards Program Honors 15 Store Managers From 6 States

Houchens Food Group continued its Store Manager Appreciation Awards for the second year, culminating with the announcement of the 2025 HFG Store Manager of the Year. The company recently hosted 15 lunch banquets divided by region and banner. The events included individual recognition of store managers, as well as a selection of other awards. In […]

Posted inCorporate Store News, Fresh Thyme, Midwest, News

Fresh Thyme Market Extends Health, Hunger Relief Partnerships Into 2026

Fresh Thyme Market is continuing its partnerships with Vitamin Angels and Feeding America in 2026 while extending its Price Lock initiative, the Downers Grove, Illinois-based grocer announced Feb. 13. The retailer marked a decade-long partnership with Vitamin Angels in 2025, helping provide essential vitamins and minerals to more than 7 million women and children in […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News

Mom’s Organic Market To Enter Chicago With Naperville, Mount Prospect Stores

Mom’s Organic Market will enter the Chicago market with stores in Naperville and Mount Prospect, Illinois, scheduled to open by the end of 2026, marking the organic grocer’s expansion into the Midwest. The Rockville, Maryland-based retailer will open a location at 1163 E. Ogden Ave. in Naperville this fall, with a Mount Prospect store to […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News

Independent Grocers Face Pricing Pressures, Rural Store Closures In ND

Independent grocers across North Dakota face mounting pressure from several directions, according to John “Jiggs” Dyste, president of the North Dakota Grocers Association. “Independent grocers are being squeezed by big-box stores and food manufacturers,” Dyste said. “Unfair pricing is the main problem driving consumers to big-box stores.” The challenges come as North Dakota’s economy undergoes […]

Posted inSupply Chain News, Lipari Foods, Midwest, News

Lipari Foods Selects RELEX Solutions For Supply Chain Planning

Lipari Foods has selected RELEX Solutions to transform its supply chain planning and improve replenishment operations across its distribution center. The Midwest distributor will use RELEX’s artificial intelligencer-driven platform and Advanced Diagnostics to manage more than 23,000 SKUs across grocery, deli, bakery, natural and specialty categories. Lipari Foods supplies thousands of retailers with fresh, natural, […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Health & Wellness, Meijer, Midwest, News

Meijer Offers GLP-1 Medications Through Savings Program

Meijer is making Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide) more affordable through NovoCare savings programs, offering the two lowest-dose injection pens for $199 per month for the first two months at its pharmacies. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer announced Feb. 10 that patients who haven’t used a coupon for these products previously can access the introductory pricing […]

Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, News, The Kroger Co.

Kroger Appoints Foran As CEO, Ends Interim Leadership

The Kroger Co. has appointed Greg Foran as CEO, effective immediately, ending Ron Sargent’s tenure as interim CEO that began in March 2025. Foran, who brings more than 40 years of experience leading large consumer businesses, will also join Kroger’s board of directors. The Cincinnati-based grocer made the announcement Feb. 9, following an extensive search […]