Prairie Fresh has expanded its value-added line, Prairie Fresh Signature, by launching a trending flavor profile, Nashville Hot, to pork loin filets in the product portfolio. With a combination of spices and heat, this seasoning will be available to consumers in select retail locations in early 2024, with plans to expand into additional stores around […]
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 inHy-Vee, Health & Wellness, Midwest, Online Grocery Technology
Hy-Vee, Soda Health Launch New Smart Benefits Program
Hy-Vee, in partnership with Soda Health, has launched a new Smart Benefits program that allows recipients to receive personalized health and wellness benefits at all Hy-Vee locations across the retailer’s eight-state region. The program is available to participating Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and employer benefits programs, as well as other public organizations. The benefits are personalized […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Kellanova Reduces Plastic Packaging In Three Snack Products
Kellanova has reduced the amount of plastic packaging for three of its snack brands – Cheez-It Snap’d, Cheez-It Puff’d and Club Crisps – compared to the same volume last year. The packaging designs were optimized, lowering the total material weight for the items by 672,000 pounds and reducing 124,000 pounds of plastic and 548,000 pounds […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Midwest, Sustainability News
Fareway Committed To Community, Giving Back In Many Ways
By Carol Radice As a Midwest grocery company, being a partner in the community is important to the leadership team at Fareway. From supporting volunteerism to environmental stewardship, the grocer is heavily devoted to the neighborhoods in which it operates. Some companies simply donate money to community causes, but at Fareway giving back and community […]
Posted inCenter Store, Midwest
AUA Acquires Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing
AUA Private Equity Partners has acquired Weaver Holdings, a fourth-generation family-owned manufacturer of popcorn and snacking products. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing is an independent manufacturer of popcorn products in the U.S., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Alongside its investment in Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing, AUA Private Equity will bring the […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Midwest
Labor-Saving Measures Allows Fareway’s Supply Chain To Shine
By Carol Radice As a company that competes against some formidable grocery chains, many of which are much larger, making every penny count is critical. Fareway’s finely-tuned supply chain plays a critical role in helping accomplish this. From its labor-saving and cost-cutting measures to its impressive, modern warehouse, logistics operation and self-distribution model, the company […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Executive News, Midwest
Funk Assumes AWG President, CEO Role Following Smith’s Retirement
Following the retirement of David Smith in December, Dan Funk has now assumed the role of president and CEO of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG). Smith joined AWG in 2003 and became president and CEO in 2015. Under his leadership, the company experienced significant growth and success. Smith was instrumental in steering the company through […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Midwest
Fareway CEO: Customer Experiences, In-Store Interactions Key To Building Trust
by Carol Radice A reputation of offering top-notch customer service is important for most retailers, but for Fareway this the heart of what makes it stand apart. From its famous meat counter with packaged and cut-to-order meats to car carryout service and everything in between, Fareway focuses on making the customer experience a special one. […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Independent Store News, Midwest
Train And Retain – Fareway Investing ‘In Our People’
By Carol Radice Throughout its many years in business, Fareway has worked hard to establish a culture that encourages and motivates employees to do well. One could say, in fact, that being an employee-focused company is a central part of Fareway’s overall store mission. According to Garrett Piklapp, president, Fareway’s people, extensive training programs and […]
Posted inFestival Foods, Independent Store News, Midwest
Festival Foods Hailed As Top Disability-Friendly Employer In WI
Festival Foods has been named a 2023 Top Disability-Friendly Employer in Wisconsin, a first-time honor presented by Disability:IN Wisconsin. “The Top Disability-Friendly Employer in Wisconsin Award is a testament to companies genuinely committed to creating inclusive workplaces where people with disabilities can thrive,” said Judy Quigley, the organization’s executive director. Melissa Van Gheem, senior human […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest, Retailers
Kroger, Soda Health Launch Smart Benefits Program
Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., and Soda Health Inc. have launched a Smart Benefits program, combining Kroger Health’s services with Soda Health’s “&more” platform. This program allows participating Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and employer benefits program recipients to receive certain pharmacy, nutrition services and other eligible benefits at The Kroger Co.’s Family […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Home Page Latest News, Midwest
Rooted In Iowa, Fareway Expanding Across Midwest
By Carol Radice Fareway opened its first grocery store in 1938 in Boone, Iowa. While much has changed at this Midwest chain over the past 85 years, many things have remained the same. The leadership team – headed by CEO Reynolds Cramer, who is the fourth generation in his family to run the company – has […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Round Up At Schnucks Raises $230K For Salvation Army
Through its recent 15-day Round Up at the Register campaign, Schnucks Markets and its customers donated $230,000 to The Salvation Army’s annual Tree of Lights campaign. Shoppers had the option to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with 100 percent of donations. They gave $212,281 and Schnucks added $17,719. “As they do each […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
UNFI Releases 2023 ‘Better For All’ ESG Report
United Natural Foods Inc. has shared its 13th annual ”Better for All” report, detailing UNFI’s progress on social, environmental and governance (ESG) objectives during the 2023 fiscal year. The ESG report highlights UNFI’s focus on safety, well-being, waste, climate, sourcing and community. It also notes that UNFI’s initiatives can benefit the company’s business performance, resulting […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest
Labor, Retail Crime Challenge Wisconsin Grocers
Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, said the Badger State is not immune to challenges such as inflation and price increases. “It affects us just as much as everybody else.” Scholz noted the dairy industry in the state remains strong and is an important part of the Wisconsin economy. “Overall, I […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
US Foods’ Hunger Relief Donations Top $12M In 2023
Through its corporate hunger-relief campaigns in 2023, US Foods Holding Corp. has donated more than $12 million in food, supplies and monetary contributions – the equivalent of about 5 million meals or 225 truckloads of product – to address hunger-relief efforts across the country. “As a leading foodservice distributor, US Foods is in the unique […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Dairy News, Midwest, Retailers
Murray’s Cheese, Kroger Launch Monthly Subscription Clubs
The Kroger Co. shared that New York-based Murray’s Cheese now offers five monthly subscription clubs with a variety of options in three-, six- or 12-month increments for discovering cheeses and pairings. The themed offerings feature hand-cut and wrapped cheeses, from cave-aged picks to exclusive finds, with the goal of delivering an educational experience. Murray’s Cheese […]
Posted inFestival Foods, Independent Store News, Midwest
Festival Foods Adds Paid Parental Leave For Employees
Skogen’s Festival Foods has announced a new paid parental leave benefit for its 8,000 full- and part-time employees, effective Jan. 1. Following the birth of a child or placement of a child in connection to adoption or foster care in their homes, employees can receive three weeks of paid parental leave. The benefit is intended […]
Posted inPackaging News, Albertsons, Midwest
Chilau Foods Moves To Use EEASY Lid For Stew Base Line
Chilau Foods, a line of southern-inspired stew bases and spices, has begun to implement Consumer Convenience Technologies’ EEASY lid for all of its products. Chilau’s products are available in about 350 stores across the U.S., including Winn-Dixie, Market Street, Albertsons, United Supermarkets, Harveys Supermarkets and Plum Market. The EEASY lid will be available on all […]
Posted inHy-Vee, Independent Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Names Performers For 2024 INDYCAR Race Weekend
Award-winning artists Luke Combs and Post Malone will lead the entertainment lineup for next summer’s Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend on July 12-14. Combs will perform on the Hy-Vee Stage on July 13 before the first NTT INDYCAR Series race of the doubleheader weekend. Malone will take the stage on July 14, following the final race […]