ROFDA wholesalers, representing more than 2,250 stores, will use Instacart’s Carrot Ads to power their retail media networks. The partnership enables advertisers to drive sales at thousands of local independent grocers more easily and efficiently, better supporting the communities they serve. “This is one of the largest examples of cooperation and collaboration across the independent […]
Category: Wholesaler/Distributor News
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest, SpartanNash
SpartanNash Growing Our Family Scholarship Program
SpartanNash’s Our Family Scholarship program is expanding in its second year to help more students with larger scholarships. The $2,500 scholarships recognize students who demonstrate a dedication to community involvement. Those who live in one of the states served by SpartanNash-owned stores or the company’s independent customers are eligible to apply online for the scholarship […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest
AWG Names 2024 Excellence Award Winners At Annual Meeting
Associated Wholesale Grocers has named the winners of several Excellence Awards as part of its 2024 AWG Innovation Showcase and Annual Shareholders Meeting. Top Excellence Awards recipients were Lou Fox Community Service Award winners John McKeever family of McKeever Enterprises Inc.; Jim and Barbara Queen family of Queen Enterprises L.L.C.; and Store Manager of the […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, Midwest
Russ Davis Wholesale Celebrates ‘Full Circle Partnership’
Russ Davis Wholesale held its annual Customer Appreciation and Vendor Showcase Event on Feb. 28 at Mystic Lake Casino. The Minnesota-based company has been hosting the gathering for more than 35 years. Russ Davis Wholesale is a wholesaler, manufacturer and distributor of fresh produce. Crazy Fresh is the company’s brand of value-added cut fruit and […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest, SpartanNash, Sustainability News
SpartanNash Expands Plastic Bag Recycling For Earth Day
SpartanNash is joining forces with Home Repair Services and Trex Co. to transform recycled plastic grocery bags from its stores into five accessible home ramps for local veterans with disabilities in honor of Earth Day. “The upcycling of plastic bags into accessible ramps for veterans with disabilities is a ‘People First’ program that gives our nation’s heroes the gift of […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest, SpartanNash
SpartanNash Concludes Special Olympics In-Store Fundraiser
SpartanNash’s annual in-store foundation for Special Olympics, which ran March 20-April 6, collected $240,000 from community members and the SpartanNash Foundation. Donations support Special Olympics athletes in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Funds raised in each state go to the corresponding local Special Olympics affiliate. “We are proud […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Northeast, UNFI
UNFI Selects Samsara To Accelerate Fleet Safety, Sustainability
To achieve new sustainability and safety progress, United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) has adopted Samsara vehicle telematics, asset gateways, environmental monitors and video-based safety. “The safety, efficiency and sustainability improvements UNFI will make with Samsara will help us change our business for the better,” said Gregory Tieder, senior director of corporate logistics at the Providence, Rhode […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
SpartanNash Taps Taylor For VP, Associate General Counsel
John Taylor is joining SpartanNash’s legal team as VP and associate general counsel as the company seeks new market opportunities and advances toward its long-term growth goals. “John has earned the trust of his peers and clients for his strategic counsel and practical and innovative approach to conflict resolution in a dynamic operating environment,” said […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, National
Unilever Advances Decarbonization Project At 4 Factories
Unilever’s decarbonization project to significantly reduce carbon emissions at its ice cream business group’s four U.S. factories has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for award negotiations of up to $20.9 million of support. The proposed project would cut 14,000 metric tons of carbon emissions per year, a major step in moving toward […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Topco Shares Changes To Board, Operations Team
Topco Associates recently celebrated its 80th anniversary with its member-owners at its 2024 Annual Membership Conference. While at the conference, the cooperative announced its 2024-26 board of directors while also notifying the membership of changes taking place on its operations team. K-VA-T Food Stores Inc. President and CEO Steve Smith has been named Topco’s chairman of the board. […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, CERTCO Inc., Midwest
Certco Recognized As Top Workplace By Wisconsin State Journal
Certco has been recognized as a 2024 Top Workplace in the state by the Wisconsin State Journal. “I am thrilled to announce that Certco has been recognized as a Top Workplace in Wisconsin by the Wisconsin State Journal for 2024,” said Amy Niemetscheck, president and CEO. “I want to express my gratitude to each team […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG’s Always Save Brand Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Associated Wholesale Grocers is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its opening price point private brand, Always Save. In 1984, AWG debuted the line with 140 pantry staples, including peanut butter, jelly, marshmallows and condiments. By the end of the year, Always Save had grown in popularity. Now 40 years later, the brand portfolio boasts more […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
AWG Reports Record Results At Annual Meeting
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) reported record consolidated company sales of $12.4 billion for 2023, an increase of 0.8 percent on a comparable basis over 2022, and distributed $284 million of year-end patronage, following its annual shareholders meeting March 26 at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas. AWG’s cooperative net sales were $11.1 […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG, Instacart Expand Partnership For E-Commerce, Smart Carts
Instacart and Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) have expanded their partnership to offer e-commerce and same-day delivery solutions, including Caper Carts, Instacart’s AI-powered smart carts, to member retailers. With more than 800 AWG member retailer locations using Instacart, this extended collaboration simplifies access for an additional 2,300 member retailer locations to join Instacart’s technology suite. “We’ve witnessed the […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Southeast
Sysco Recognizes Fire Department For Employee Bridge Rescue
Sysco has filled two Louisville, Kentucky, firehouse pantries and donated $20,000 toward their annual award banquet in a gesture of thanks for their bridge rescue of a Sysco delivery partner. Sysco President and CEO Kevin Hourican was joined by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill in honoring the firefighters and first […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
AWG, EmpowerFresh Partner To Help Member Retailers
EmpowerFresh, a provider of innovative solutions for the retail industry, is partnering with Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler serving independently-owned supermarkets. Through the new partnership, EmpowerFresh helps AWG members manage inventory, forecast and replenish orders using advanced AI-driven order and ad writing tools integrated into key internal data systems for more […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
SpartanNash Foundation Begins Fundraiser For Special Olympics
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has announced its annual in-store fundraising campaign through its foundation, supporting Special Olympics athletes and State Summer Games in nine states. “Throughout our 40-year partnership with Special Olympics, we’ve seen the true power of inclusion and the incredible impact it has on the lives of the athletes, including some of our own […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
SpartanNash Elevates Zube To EVP, Chief HR Officer
Citing her key role since September 2022 in advancing the company’s “People First” strategy to attract, develop and retain top talent, SpartanNash has promoted Nicole Zube from SVP to EVP and chief human resources officer. Under Zube’s leadership, SpartanNash achieved its 2023 Key Performance Indicators for safety and associate retention, performing in the top-quartile among […]
Posted inCenter Store, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG Brands Debuts Restructured Cereal Offerings
AWG Brands, the private brands of Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers, has revitalized its Always Save and Best Choice cereal offerings to help member retailers optimize their assortments. The optimized items in Always Save and Best Choice brands, which began shipping to retailers in January, can be found on AWG member retailer shelves. With […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Southwest
Tarrant Area Food Bank’s AgHub To Save, Redistribute Produce
Just over one year after breaking ground, the Tarrant Area Food Bank held a grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting to welcome its new Sid W. Richardson Foundation Agricultural Hub (AgHub) at 205 North Vacek St. in Fort Worth, Texas. Through agreements with farmers in the Tarrant Area and growers in the Rio Grande Valley and […]