Laurel Grocery Co., The Shelby Report’s Wholesaler of the Year for its Midwest and Southeast regions, and the Independent Grocers Allliance have a decades-long history of partnership. The Kentucky-based wholesaler has been one of IGA’s nine licensed distributors since 1999. “What I love about Laurel is they are truly a family business that supports 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.
Festival Foods Donates $30K To Local Food Bank
Green Bay, Wisconsin-based Festival Foods celebrated Family Meals Month in September with a variety of programs, insights and recipe ideas to encourage families to enjoy meals together. The campaign focused on helping families hold family meals through Festival Foods’ Food for Neighbors program, which collects donations to provide food and supplies to about 40 food pantries […]
Free Clinic Improves Health Of Laurel Grocery’s Workforce
Laurel Grocery Co. takes the health of its employees seriously. So much so that after several years of concerning results from screenings through the local hospital’s community health program, Laurel Chairman and CEO Winston Griffin and President David Pearson decided to take action. The result was Connected Care, an on-site health clinic for employees and […]
Good Food Introduces Snack Packs For Two Products
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin-based Good Foods has introduced Grab & Go snack packs for two of its products – Chunky Guacamole and Plant Based Queso Dip. The packs feature Good Foods’ dips paired with corn tortilla chips and are available at select Sprouts Farmers Market locations, as well as online through Hungryroot and Good Foods’ online store. The new Grab & Go products […]
Oscar Mayer Encourages ‘No Meat’ On World Vegan Day, Nov. 1
Chicago-based Kraft Heinz and its brand, Oscar Mayer, is calling on consumers to abstain from bacon consumption of any kind on World Vegan Day, Nov. 1. According to a recent survey, more than half of vegans have abandoned their diet for bacon, making it the ultimate “gateway meat.” With 63 percent of vegans wishing they could […]
Crest Offers Coupon For Toothpaste In Preparation For Halloween
Cincinnati, Ohio-based Proctor & Gamble and its brand, Crest, are offering up to $3 off toothpaste, including the new Crest Densify lineup. Shoppers can redeem the offer by visiting select national retailer websites through Oct. 30. “With products for every smile, Crest has night-before-Halloween routines covered, so your teeth are protected from all the treats […]
Pride Comes From Way Laurel Grocery Is Run
Laurel Grocery Co. is laser-focused on customer service. That is one of the reasons Kip Faulhaber, president of Laurel Retail and SVP of marketing and merchandising at Laurel Grocery, has enjoyed his almost 10 years with the company. “The pride comes from the simplicity of the way the company is run,” he said. “There’s nothing […]
SpartanNash Foundation To Launch Fundraiser For Food Pantries
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash will launch its annual in-store fundraiser this week through Nov. 6 in support of local food banks in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. All company-owned stores under the banners of Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, Dan’s Supermarkets, Martin’s Super Markets, Supermercado, VG’s Grocery, Forest Hill […]
Schnucks Launches 30-Minute Delivery With Instacart
St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets, in partnership with Instacart, is introducing “Schnucks Now” delivery. An online grocery shopping method, it is ideal for smaller orders, focused on fulfilling convenience orders. The service allows customers to shop from the grocer’s assortment of fresh groceries, pantry and household essentials for delivery in as fast as 30 minutes with no priority […]
Produce Alliance Announces Partnership With Copia
Chicago-based Produce Alliance has announced its partnership with Copia, a technology solution connecting surplus food to nonprofits in need. This partnership enables Produce Alliance to donate pallets of fresh produce and prepared food to community members in need. Food is the single largest component taking up space inside U.S. landfills, making up 24 percent of […]
Hy-Vee Offers Free Medicare Comparisons Through December
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee Medicare Aisle is providing free Medicare plan comparisons through Dec. 7 during its Annual Open Enrollment Period. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recommend all Medicare participants review their coverage each year to make sure their current plan is the best fit based on current health conditions, doctors and specialists who […]
Barilla Adds QR Codes To Assist Visually Impaired Customers
Northbrook, Illinois-based Barilla is expanding its partnership with Be My Eyes, a platform that provides live audio and visual support for blind and visually impaired consumers, by incorporating QR codes on the packaging of 10 of Barilla’s most popular classic pasta offerings. In 2021, Barilla became the first food company to partner with Be My Eyes, […]
Meijer Begins Administering COVID-19 Boosters to 5-11 Age Group
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer is administering updated COVID-19 boosters to patients ages 5-11 at the retailer’s pharmacies across the Midwest. The retailer took action following the CDC’s approval for pediatric boosters to help protect its local communities. “While life has returned to normal for many, it’s important to remain vigilant and continue to protect your […]
Laurel’s Mission, Messaging Remain Rooted In ‘Think Retail’
Laurel Grocery Co.’s philosophy is “Think Retail,” which channels the sentiment from a statement on the original order guides from 1922: “A successful business is a business that helps others succeed.” Laurel’s mission was to help smaller, privately-owned businesses thrive against chain grocery stores. A hundred years later, that mission continues today. And it’s among […]
Pactiv Evergreen To Showcase Products At Pack Expo
Lake Forest, Illinois-based Pactiv Evergreen will feature its packaging solutions to the beverage and food industry at the Pack Expo Show, Oct. 23-26 in Chicago. The company’s gable top packaging machinery and custom food packaging capabilities will be on display in booth No. S-3182. The company’s servo driven EH-84 gable top packaging machine will be in […]
Laurel Grocery Marks Century Of Serving Independents
Laurel Grocery Co. is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022 and has been named The Shelby Report’s Wholesaler of the Year for its Midwest and Southeast regions. Winston Griffin, chairman and CEO of the London, Kentucky-based wholesaler – and G.W. Sr.’s grandson – shared some of the company’s history with The Shelby Report. “It all […]
Hy-Vee Opens New Location In La Crosse, WI
Hy-Vee has announced that after several months of construction, its La Crosse location opened Oct. 18, marking Hy-Vee’s fifth location in Wisconsin. The store has been reimagined with a new layout, the second of its kind in Wisconsin and fourth for the retailer overall. The 105,000-square-foot store will offer a new dining experience for customers […]
Father, Daughter Working Together To Expand Maurer’s Market
Jeff and Kristie Maurer, father and daughter, are independent grocers in Wisconsin. Dad owns Maurer’s Market in Wisconsin Dells, where his daughter is the store director. He also now is a minority owner in a store – Fresh Madison Market – he opened on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison. Kristie Maurer is planning […]
Kroger Delivery Expands Distribution With Facility In Romulus, MI
The Kroger Co. has announced the official opening of its newest customer fulfillment center in Romulus, Michigan. Powered by the Ocado Group, the facility will use advanced robotics technology and creative solutions to redefine the customer experience for customers in the greater Detroit area. The 135,000-square-foot facility, located on Wahrman Road, will reach customers up […]
SpartanNash Names New EVP, Chief Strategy, Information Officer
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has promoted Masiar Tayebi to EVP, chief strategy and information officer. Tayebi was hired in April 2021 as EVP, chief strategy officer. “SpartanNash is more focused than ever on being the most customer-focused, innovative food solutions company,” said Tony Sarsam, CEO. “Our innovation through technology goes hand-in-hand with the overall strategy of the company, making Masiar […]
