Prairie Fresh, a Merriam, Kansas-based pork producer, launched its new campaign, “Now That’s Pork,” to highlight that not all pork is created equal, positioning the brand as the standard for quality and taste. The campaign arrives as the National Pork Board’s “Taste What Pork Can Do” initiative draws renewed attention to the meat’s versatility and […]
Category: News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Babbs Supermarket Has Deep, Personal Connection To Indiana Community
Babbs Supermarket in Spencer, Indiana, will celebrate its 97th anniversary in July. Third-generation grocer Robert Babbs says his family legacy is not about making money but about building community. Chester Babbs, Rob’s grandfather, opened the original store July 28, 1928, by purchasing a meat and grocery business in receivership. Over the years, the business grew […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Grocery Store Layout, News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Celebrates $2M Store Remodel In Ellenville, NY
Tops Friendly Markets held a grand opening June 8 for a new 46,750-square-foot store in Ellenville, New York, representing a $2 million investment in the local economy and creating more than 120 jobs. During the grand opening celebration, customers were able to enjoy sampling stations and live music and had opportunities to take part in […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, Weis Markets
Weis Markets Debuts Gas N’ Go Center In Callaway, MD
Weis Markets has opened a Gas N’ Go Fuel Center at its store on Point Lookout Road in Callaway, Maryland. The store celebrated the grand opening with $500 donations to 2Creating Brighter Days Outreach & Mission and Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Construction of The Weis Gas N’ Go Fuel Center began […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA, FMS Solutions Partner On Policy, Profit Summits
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has partnered with FMS Solutions for this year’s Executive Conference & Public Policy Summit (Oct. 20-21) and the inaugural FMS Profit Summit (Oct. 22-24), two events featuring sessions focused on policy, technology and profit strategies for independent grocers. “NGA’s Executive Conference & Public Policy Summit has been a must-attend event […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Opens Third Of Six Stores Planned For Huntsville, AL
Food City held a grand opening June 4 for the third of six stores planned for the Huntsville, Alabama, market. The store at 3608 Governors Drive NW followed the April 30 debut of the store on Old Gurley Road. “Our first two Huntsville locations have been very well received … while this location is a slightly […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, ShopRite
ShopRite Donates $1.8M To Charities At 2025 ShopRite LPGA Classic
ShopRite held its annual LPGA Classic Presented by Acer June 6-8, awarding a record $1.8 million in grants to food banks, hospitals and other charitable organizations. Leading into the weekend tournament, ShopRite’s annual charitable luncheon June 6 introduced new initiatives that included a scholarship program, more sponsorships for athletes on the LPGA Tour and a […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Indiana Economy: Stability, Setbacks And Grocery Industry’s Fight To Adapt
Indiana’s economy remained largely stable through 2024, buoyed by strong capital investments and modest GDP growth. But a forecast released in April cast a shadow over the state’s two-year financial outlook, setting the stage for challenges in the grocery and convenience store industries. According to the Indiana Business Research Center, the state’s GDP showed modest […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest, News, Save A Lot
Save A Lot Begins ‘Win Bacon For A Year’ Sweepstakes
As part of its Win Bacon for a Year Sweepstakes, Save A Lot is offering customers the chance to win a $500 gift card, equivalent to a year’s supply of Farmington bacon – one of the grocer’s exclusive brands. Customers can enter the sweepstakes one of two ways – via the Save A Lot app […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer Expands Pharmacy Services On Homeward’s Platform
Meijer has begun a partnership with Homeward, a technology-enabled rural health platform, to improve healthcare access and care coordination for medicare-eligible residents across Michigan. According to Meijer, rural Michiganders face health and economic disparities compared to those living in urban areas, with lower median household incomes, fewer primary care providers and higher rates of chronic […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, News, Southeast, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart Expands Drone Delivery To 5 Cities
Walmart has expanded its drone delivery service to five cities in the Southeast and Southwest. Customers in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando and Tampa can receive orders in minutes, making Walmart the first retailer to scale drone delivery across five states – Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas. The drone service will launch at 100 […]
Posted inBeverage News, News, Southeast
Coke Florida Holds Grand Opening For Distribution Center In Tampa
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida (Coke Florida) recently held a grand opening for its new Tampa Distribution Center and Fleet Facility, a more than $300 million investment that encompasses a 156-acre site at U.S. 301 and the Selmon Expressway. The 800,000-square- foot automated warehouse facility and 250,000-square-foot fleet maintenance facility were built using contractors and vendors based […]
Posted inPackaging News, Deli News, National, News
Lacerta Introduces New Seal N’ Flip Packaging Design
Lacerta Group has announced a new innovation: Seal N’ Flip packaging. Coming at a time when food retailers and brands are focused on their bottom line, the Seal N’ Flip design is estimated to reduce packaging costs by up to 25 percent. The new design places the lidding film on the bottom. Company officials noted […]
Posted inDairy News, Midwest, News
Wisconsin Dairy Farmers Promote June Dairy Month
As summer begins, Wisconsin is promoting June Dairy Month, a statewide celebration honoring the farm families who care for animals, steward the land and produce world-class milk, cheese and other products. “This June, we invite everyone to discover the dedication, innovation, and legacy that define Wisconsin dairy,” said Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Midwest, News
The J.M. Smucker Co. To Close Indianapolis Manufacturing Facility
The J.M. Smucker Co. plans to shutter its facility in Indianapolis that manufactures products from the company’s Hostess brand and consolidate operations into other facilities. The timeline for closure and sale of the facility is early 2026. “This decision continues the ongoing work to ensure our manufacturing network is optimized to mitigate costs and reduce […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National, News
Study Finds Consumers Cutting Grocery Spend Due To Tariff Concerns
New tariffs may not be in place just yet, but a survey found consumers already are adjusting their spending habits, including what they buy at the grocery store. Consumer insight platform Zappi surveyed 1,000 shoppers and found 91 percent of those polled are already making tradeoffs to manage rising prices. Nearly half say they are […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA Shares Retail Produce Manager Award Recipients
At The Retail Conference and Golf Tournament, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) announced the 20 recipients of the 2025 Retail Produce Manager Awards, recognizing their dedication to fresh produce, inventive merchandising, community engagement and exceptional customer service. The 20 winners represent the produce industry to the consumer and work to increase sales and consumption […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, West
CGAEF Hall Of Achievement Honors 3 Leaders
The California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) inducted three industry veterans into its Hall of Achievement on April 10 in Anaheim, California. In addition to honoring the inductees – Pete Van Helden, chairman and CEO of Stater Bros. Markets; Mary Crocker, sales account manager for Alta Dena Dairy; and Willie Crocker, retail director for Bimbo […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Bakery News, Bashas', News, West
Arizona Locals Win Bashas’ Annual Doughnut Contest
Two Arizona residents – a teen from Paradise Valley and an adult from Gilbert – have been named winners of Bashas’ 10th Annual “Donut Flavor Craze Contest,” celebrating National Doughnut Day on June 6. Miele K., 13, took top honors in the youth category with her Desert Campfire Smore doughnut creation – a Long John […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southeast, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market To Open Midtown Miami Store June 26
Whole Foods Market will open a new 53,400-square-foot store June 26 at 2910 Biscayne Boulevard in Midtown Miami. The location will offer more than 500 products from some 130 Florida suppliers, curated with the help of Dustin Kennedy, forager for local and emerging brands at Whole Foods Market. The store’s décor reflects the vibrancy of […]