AWG Archives
Posted inAssociation News, National, News

FMI Celebrates 2025 Gold Plate Award Recipients

FMI – The Food Industry Association has named the recipients of its annual Gold Plate Awards, highlighting outstanding programs implemented by the retail food industry to encourage family meals. The program was founded in 2013. Examples include healthy family meals, quick and easy family meals and recipes, cooking with kids, themed dinners, breakfast with the […]

Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News

AWG, Kellogg’s Expand Athletic Opportunities For Middle Schoolers

Tony the Tiger and Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Mission Tiger initiative have joined with Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) to donate $32,500 through DonorsChoose to help schools like Turner Middle School in Kansas City, Kansas, keep students active and engaged through athletics. Since its launch in 2019, Tony the Tiger and Mission Tiger has expanded access to […]

Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News

AWG Promotes Private Label Brands Amid Economic Pressures

As shifting economic factors and changes to benefits place increasing strains on family budgets, Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) is reinforcing its commitment to its legacy private brands, Always Save and Best Choice. The brands provide an option for shoppers seeking relief from rising grocery prices, enabling them to find quality and savings at AWG […]

Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News

AWG Brands Unveils 35 Products To Boost Holiday Sales

Ahead of the holiday season, AWG Brands, the private brands program of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG), has expanded its portfolio with 35 new products from Always Save, Best Choice and Superior Selections by Best Choice. The launch includes grocery and household items aimed at helping AWG member retailers increase sales and offer value to […]

Posted inGrocery Store Layout, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News

AWG, Decorworx Enhance Design Services For Independent Grocers

Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. and design and production firm Decorworx have begun a partnership to provide enhanced store solutions to AWG member retailers. As a part of the collaboration, AWG has discontinued its Design and Decor Source Group (DSG), which for more than 30 years provided interior design, production and installation services to AWG members. […]

Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News

AWG Rebrands, Expands Best Choice Brand With Superior Selections Line

Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) has rebranded and extended its elevated private brand with the launch of Superior Selections by Best Choice. Introduced in 2000 as Best Choice Superior Selections, the brand began as a multi-serve frozen entrée program with 12 items. Over the years, it has grown into a line of 125 products, including sauces, […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, News, Southeast

Chappell’s Third-Generation Leaders Carrying Strong Legacy Forward

Chappell’s Home Town Foods was born in Middle Tennessee in 1962, when Chappell’s Cee Bee in Hilltop, just outside Clarksville, opened its doors. Founder Jack Chappell and his wife, Kate, worked for two years straight, opening and closing the store every day, until they were able to open a second location in 1964 in Charlotte. […]

Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News

AWG, University Of Illinois Collaborate On Data Research Projects

Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) has collaborated with the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on two data research projects for the 2024-25 school year. These initiatives supplement AWG with sophisticated analytics, strategy recommendations and an AI dashboard. At the same time,  participating students gain valuable, real-world experience, enhancing their career […]

Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News

AWG Brands Introduces New Items To Cater To Consumer Trends

AWG Brands, the private brands program of Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG), has introduced a new lineup of grocery items launching in the second quarter 2025. “All of these items were strategically developed throughout category reviews driven by consumer and category trends to help AWG member retailers remain competitive within private brands,” […]

Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News

AWG Elects Houchens Food Group’s Rush To Board Of Directors

Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) has elected Greg Rush, president of Houchens Food Group (HFG), to fill an open position on its board of directors. A 100-percent employee-owned company, HFG operates in the grocery, convenience, hardware and restaurant industries. It has more than 400 locations across 15 states, including Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Alabama, […]

Posted inFrozen Food, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News, Private Label Brands

AWG Brands Scores Slam Dunk With Frozen Food Happiness Campaign

AWG Brands, the private brands of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG), celebrated National Frozen Food Month in March with a marketing campaign, “Frozen Food Happiness,” designed to showcase the wide array of frozen food products available to both AWG member retailers and their customers. This year’s campaign emphasized the convenience, variety and fun that frozen […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Marketing News, Merchandising News, News, West

Heritage Grocers Group Promotes Cates, Garcia To New VP Roles

Heritage Grocers Group has promoted Kim Cates to group VP of merchandising and Allison Garcia to group VP of marketing. Cates and Garcia will report to Suzy Monford, chairman and CEO for Heritage Grocers Group. “Both Kim and Allie bring a wealth of knowledge, innovative thinking and a deep passion for our customers and communities,” Monford said. […]

Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Center Store, Midwest, News

AWG Brands Introduces Pure Wonder By Best Choice

AWG Brands, the private brands program of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG), has launched Pure Wonder by Best Choice, a new brand dedicated to pets. Available this month, the brand offers a comprehensive range of pet products, including food and essentials for dogs, cats and birds. The decision to introduce Pure Wonder by Best Choice […]

Posted inProduce News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, News, Southeast

Healthy Family Project Celebrates 9-Year Partnership With AWG

Healthy Family Project has begun its 2025 Produce for Kids campaign in Associated Wholesale Grocers’ (AWG) Springfield and Gulf Coast divisions, marking a nine-year partnership dedicated to promoting healthier families and supporting communities in need. Through this year’s campaign, participating produce partners are collectively donating 170,000 meals to local Feeding America food banks. Shoppers will […]

Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News

AWG’s Best Choice Brand Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) member retailers and teammates celebrated the 40th anniversary of its flagship private brand, Best Choice, during the recent Innovation Showcase. In 1985, Best Choice debuted with a mission to help member retailers offer shoppers a line of products that could compete with national brands in quality and price. In its […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, National

Churchill, Schlueter Among AWG Annual Excellence Award Winners

As part of its 2025 Innovation Showcase and Annual Shareholders Meeting, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) presented its Lou Fox Community Service Award and Store Manager of the Year Award, among other honors. Walt Churchill of Walt Churchill’s Market in Ohio received the Lou Fox Community Service Award winner, while Store Manager of the Year went […]

Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News

AWG Reports Record Results, Other Milestones

Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) reported net sales for the cooperative of $11.5 billion, up 2.41 percent, and consolidated company sales of $12.1 billion. AWG distributed a record $286.2 million of year-end patronage immediately following its annual shareholders meeting March 25. The total distribution of cooperative benefits returned to shareholders – including […]

Posted inMidwest, COVID News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News

Elden’s Fresh Foods Says Support ‘Phenomenal’ During Covid-19 Crisis

Elden’s Fresh Foods has been serving the Alexandria, Minnesota, community since 1982. Like most grocery retailers during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has had to make some adjustments. Elliot Christensen, who is co-owner with his brother, Dennis, told The Shelby Report on March 25 about changing the hours at the 50,000-s.f. store and other measures they’ve […]

Posted inMidwest, COVID News, Home Page Slider, Wholesaler/Distributor News

AWG Reports Record Results At Annual Shareholders Meeting

Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, reported record consolidated net sales on continuing operations of $9.7 billion and distributed a record $213.8 million in year-end patronage immediately following its annual shareholders teleconference Wednesday, March 25. AWG’s cooperative sales were $8.5 billion. Total distribution of cooperative benefits returned to shareholders, including interest, allowances […]

Posted inHome Page Slider, COVID News, Independent Store News, Midwest

Midwest Grocers, Distributors Working Through Covid-19 Challenges

As more Americans are testing positive for Covid-19 each day, the federal government continues to ask everyone to practice social distancing and work from home when possible. Many businesses are closing and several restaurants have closed their dining rooms, leaving takeout as the only option. Grocery stores are seeing certain products fly off their shelves […]