Detriot-based Skinny Butcher has partnered with Chicago-based Wow Bao to launch a new plant-based protein brand in both retail and virtual restaurants. Skinny Butcher invited Los Angeles-based Golden West Food Group to exclusively manufacture the line, be equity stakeholders and serve as the vendor of record, ensuring speed to market on a national scale. Wow Bao created a virtual kitchen concept […]
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.
Southern Recipe Small Batch Introduces Refreshed Brand, Packaging
Lima, Ohio-based Southern Recipe Small Batch has revealed refreshed packaging and a renewed product appearance. The company said that the new packaging is designed to continue to meet the needs of and draw attention from its core consumers. The launch is accompanied by an integrated campaign to show off the new packaging, including a refreshed logo and enhanced […]
Lightlife Debuts Ready-To-Cook, Plant-Based Tempeh Cubes
Chicago-based Greenleaf Foods has debuted its new Lightlife Tempeh Cubes, a ready-to-cook product innovation joining the brand’s growing portfolio of top-selling tempeh products. The cubes are available on Amazon and in the produce section of Sprouts, New Seasons and Albertsons retail locations in Southern California, with additional availability regionally at Giant and Whole Foods Market […]
Storewise Earns Multi-Million Dollar Investment From Bacardi’s Arellano
Jorge Arellano, a member of the Bacardi family, has invested in Storewise Inc. This new capital accelerates the expansion of the Storewise automation platform to help independent grocers protect profits and gives the Kansas City-based company sufficient capital to continue launching new, easy to use technology, such as price manager. “On behalf of the Storewise […]
Prairie Farms Wins Big At World Championship Cheese Contest
The largest technical dairy competition in the world was held March 1-3 in Madison, Wisconsin, with representatives from 29 nations around the globe bringing their best cheeses for a panel of industry renowned judges to review. Following three days of judging, Edwardsville, Illinois-based Prairie Farms cheeses earned top spots in a trio of categories, including a “Best […]
Peapod Digital Labs Named Winner Of Top Workplaces USA Awards
Chicago-based Peapod Digital Labs, the digital and commercial hub for Ahold Delhaize USA, has been awarded as a winner of the 2022 Top Workplaces USA award and the 2021 Top Workplaces by the Chicago Tribune. “We’re incredibly proud of the inclusive culture we’re building at PDL and outstanding talent we have, which led to this recognition,” […]
KeHE Distributors Announces ECOtrade Program At Expo West
Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors revealed its new supplier program, the KeHE ECOtrade program, at Natural Products Expo West. The company has pledged the following climate commitments: Decreasing transportation emissions by 20 percent by 2030; Lowering food waste by 50 percent and landfill diversion by 90 percent before 2030; Reducing global warming potential from refrigerants by 20 percent […]
Diamond Crystal Salt Unveils New Look, Products At Expo West
St. Clair, Michigan-based Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt unveiled a new brand name, Diamond Crystal Salt Co., and showcased its new salts and packaging at the Natural Products Expo West. To bring its heritage and unique craftsmanship to grocery stores and home kitchens nationwide, Diamond Crystal Salt Co. also debuted its new brand design. Using recycled paperboard and refillable […]
Schnucks Plans To Spring Forward With Longer Operating Hours
St. Louis, Missouri-based Schnucks and its stores will return to a 10 p.m. closing time beginning March 14. Included with this change, most Schnucks deli, meat and seafood department service counters will be open to serve customers from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily. One-hundred and three Schnucks locations will begin operating with 6 a.m.-10 p.m. […]
FreshEx Food Expo Envisioning Future Of ‘Fresh’
FreshEx, a fresh food expo and collaborative trade show, is designed to bring together foodservice and retail in Wisconsin for product sourcing, equipment, services, networking moments and discovering that “next fresh game changer.” “This is a brand-new tradeshow, a brand-new event,” said Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. “It is what […]
Hy-Vee Dietitians To Host Events On Nutrition, Diabetes, Healthy Lifestyles
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee and its registered dietitians will host events focused on learning about nutrition and helping customers eat healthier on a budget. Events will include virtual cooking and nutrition classes, as well as free virtual on-demand store tours. Hy-Vee will also celebrate National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day on March 9. Virtual Nutrition Store […]
Kroger Announces $1.1M Investments To Advance Racial Equity
The Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger Co. Foundation has announced two major initiatives through its Racial Equity Fund, totaling $1.1 million in philanthropic investments. Both the Changemaker grant and Next Generation scholarship program reflect measurable progress toward Kroger’s “Framework for Action: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” plan, a 10-point commitment to help build more equitable, inclusive communities. The Changemaker Grant […]
Certco Program Leverages Digital Marketing For Independent Retailers
In the age of digital marketing, it’s important that even one- and two-store operators have access to quality marketing services, according to Certco. The Madison, Wisconsin-based wholesale distributor serves more than 200 stores throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Iowa. Emily Mallahan, the company’s director of retail technology and digital marketing, said independent retailers are just […]
Kroger Delivery To Add Fulfillment Center In Cleveland, OH
The Kroger Co. has announced it will offer delivery through the addition of a customer fulfillment center in Cleveland, Ohio. The facility will be powered by the Ocado Group and combine vertical integration, machine learning and robotics to provide an affordable and fast fresh food delivery service. “Kroger is incredibly excited to expand our delivery business […]
SpartanNash To Donate $1M In Products, Financial Aid For Ukraine
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has committed to donate more than $1 million worth of critical food and supplies such as canned meats, energy bars, water and personal hygiene items to Ukrainians amidst the country’s recent invasion by Russia. The military division of SpartanNash is exporting the products via its global supply chain network and supplier […]
Ord Grocery Kart ‘Making It Work’ Through Pandemic Challenges
Ord is a small Nebraska town of about 2,000 people. Kiley White, owner/manager of Ord Grocery Kart, has been a part of the community for 26 years. Like many other independent grocers across the nation, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges to the local retailer but also offered a bit of a silver lining. “We’re […]
Mondelēz’s SnackFutures Announces Start-Ups Selected For CoLab Class
SnackFutures, the Chicago-based Mondelēz International Inc. innovation and venture hub, has announced the 10 brands selected to participate in the CoLab class of 2022. The global snacking leader’s start-up engagement program is a collaborative effort between entrepreneurs and global experts to drive mutual growth through a 12-week curriculum. Each start-up also receives a $20,000 grant. The 2022 […]
SpartanNash Enhances ‘Our Family’ Cheese Line As Growth Expands
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has given its Our Family cheese products – including shreds, slices, snack bars, bites and parmesan – a new design and taste that are available in the dairy section of SpartanNash-supplied retailers. “During the pandemic, Americans had to get creative to keep meals at home interesting. Given the versatility of cheese, as both […]
Schnucks Welcomes Northwest Coffee Café To Webster Groves, MO Store
As part of the company’s initiative to find more local suppliers, Schnuck Markets Inc. welcomes Northwest Coffee Roasting Co. to its store in Webster Groves, Missouri, where the artisan coffee roaster will operate a café that will offer espresso shots, lattes, drip coffee, egg wraps and smoothies. The 788-square-foot retail shop is open daily serving customers from […]
Meijer Donates $1.2M To Midwest Boys & Girls Club Locations
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer has announced a donation of $1.2 million has been given to Boys & Girls Clubs serving its communities across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Each of the 24 clubs partaking in the donation will receive $50,000 to invest in educational and developmental programs for local youth. “As a family-owned business, serving families, and especially children, in our communities is always important […]
