GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Food solutions company SpartanNash® announced the recipients of its 2024 Our Family® Scholarship. This year, the company set a new record by awarding 25 students with $2,500 scholarships in recognition of outstanding service to their local communities.

“We are committed to helping our retail stores and independent grocer customers give back to the communities they serve by honoring standout students who have made a difference,” said Amy McClellan, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. “The Our Family scholarship embodies what it means to serve, and it’s a privilege to support our recipients’ education so they can continue building brighter futures for themselves and their communities.”

The Our Family Scholarship program honors undergraduate, graduate, and vocational students who go above and beyond in serving others, a press release shared. Recipients were selected for their dedication to creating better places to live, play, and grow. The awarded funds can be applied to any form of higher education, from two- and four-year universities to trade schools and other post-secondary education programs.

This year’s winners represent diverse efforts to address challenges in their communities. The stories of just a few winners include:

Aspen Schroeder (Minnesota State University Moorhead): Schroeder served her community as a blood drive coordinator, volunteer for her local soup kitchen and church summer camp, and as president of the Health Occupations Students of America

Clara Berry (Western Michigan University): As the Key Club International Vice President, Berry started a project to promote early childhood development in Zambia —raising more than $3,000 and organizing two statewide events with 550+ attendees combined

Connie Hepler (Herzing University Online): Hepler serves on the board of OOSC, a nonprofit that supports military and retiree spouses in Omaha and serves the local community through charitable events

Jessica Kent (Medical College of Wisconsin): Kent volunteers in the oncology community and as a student doctor at a clinic for uninsured patients, and serves as a patient support mentor and fundraiser for the Vasculitis Foundation

Nathan Sparschu (Michigan State University): Sparchu volunteered with the St. Clair County trails, helping remove invasive species, tagging butterflies for research, checking for contaminant levels and building bat houses

“As a SpartanNash customer, we are proud to sell Our Family products and love the fact that the brand has a program celebrating young people’s accomplishments and supporting their future aspirations,” said Brett Boyd of Market House Foods, SpartanNash’s Customer and Our Family Retailer. “The Our Family Scholarship program is a great example of how brands can make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.”

For more information about the Our Family Scholarship, including how to apply, please visit ourfamilyfoods.com/scholarships.

The 2025 winners and their hometowns include:

• Aaron Soderholm – St. Cloud, Minn.
• Anna Sas – Westerville, Ohio
• Ashley Kim – Hershey, Pa.
• Ashley Paul – Colorado Springs, Colo.
• Aspen Schroeder – Moorhead, Minn.
• Brianna Wood – Peoria, Ill.
• Casey Fleming – Atlanta, Ga.
• Chloe Waller – Brownswood, Texas
• Clara Berry – Kalamazoo, Mich.
• Connie Hepler – Milwaukee, Wis.
• Hameedat Olaosebikan – Chicago, Ill.
• Jaiah Grayson – Atlanta, Ga.
• Jessica Kent – Milwaukee, Wis.
• Jessica Zhuo – Cambridge, Mass.
• John Amhanesi – New York, N.Y.
• Josephine Nguyen – Colorado Springs, Colo.
• Kennedy Wolf – South Bend, Ind.
• Kinleigh Richartz – Tempe, Ariz.
• Maci Ernsperger – South Bend, Ind.
• Micaela Geborkoff – Houghton, Mich.
• Nathan Sparschu – East Lansing, Mich.
• Reem Abusamen – Urbana Champagne, Ill.
• Ryan Drew – Ann Arbor, Mich.
• Taylor Powell – Cleveland, Tenn.
• Zachary Easter – Terre Haute, Ind.

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KANSAS CITY, MO - Empower Fresh Company announced the appointment of Robert Austin as President and Chief Executive Officer. Austin has been with the company since its inception and has served many roles, including Senior Vice President of Sales. His appointment to CEO is one of many new moves the company is making as it looks to optimize its structure to better prepare for significant customer growth in 2025 due to the demand for its products.

“One thing my dad understood and always reminded me of was everything is and should be about the relationship you have with your customers and community,” explained Austin. “It’s the very same thing I love most about Empower Fresh. We get to sell relationships, not just products or services. It’s what independent grocers need today more than ever. Watching (and working with) these third and fourth-generation families hold up their corner of their small town, gets me excited!”

Robert is a second-generation Produce Professional, notably the son of Dave Austin, who was instrumental in the Wholesale Produce market in the Midwest while General Manager at Pisciotta Fruits & Vegetables, down on the City Market. Growing up in Kansas City, Austin also spent his early days as a teenager working at Pisciotta’s in the river market.

“I’m pretty sure I wasn’t old enough, technically, to work,” Austin joked. “But my ‘uncle’ Phil (Pisciotta) told me that if I was old enough to want, I was old enough to work, so I took anything he would throw at me for a couple summers.”

Austin moved on to work in the Picture Hills Bob’s IGA, in the produce department of course, while in high school. There he learned the retail side and enjoyed the time spent on the floor with his customers.

“That was my favorite part!” said Austin. “Visiting with the folks on the floor while stocking, etcetera. It’s what’s missing today, sadly.”

After several more years of managing the warehouse at night and brokering onions and potatoes across the Midwest, Austin ultimately went into business for himself in the IT sector, a press release shared. He spent the last 15 years serving small to medium-sized businesses in and around Kansas City and beyond at Tech Express.

“People deserve world-class IT services with small-town customer service and friendly technicians. That’s what we provide,” added Austin.

Austin brings his vast experience in not only produce and retail but over a decade of providing technology services and support to the heart of our communities—the small businesses. He presents a unique skillset and experience level that will assist Empower Fresh Company to move into the next phase of its existence.

“I couldn’t be any more excited for anything as I am for 2025 at Empower Fresh,” said Austin. “We have worked our tail off, as a small team, the last couple of years to make sure we are delivering the maximum results for each one of our customers today and always. We are experiencing growth, have expanded the team, have new leadership in place, and are making a difference for our retailer partners every day!”

It seems 2025 will be a busy year for the Empower Fresh team. Not only do they have a full schedule of new customers to onboard, but they also plan to be at many of the industry shows this year, hoping to connect with as many folks as they can.

“We are excited to exhibit NGA, Grocery Shop, and a few of the other big shows this coming year,” stated Austin. “We’ve been so busy in the lab, grinding with our early adopters, we haven’t had a chance to get out and see everybody. Can’t wait to see everyone!”

A big congratulations to Robert Austin on his latest appointment!

YAKIMA, WA - Autumn Glory® apples are making waves in the market with an impressive performance this season, particularly among younger consumers and premium shoppers.

“We’re seeing Autumn Glory resonate strongly with younger consumers, which is a testament to our focus on engaging storytelling and branding,” said Julieta Castillo, Marketing Coordinator, Superfresh Growers®. “While pricing has played a role, the data makes it clear that showcasing the apple’s unique flavor and our brand’s personality through storytelling posts are driving meaningful connections. Notably, 37 percent of our social media followers are aged 35-44, with 29 percent falling within the 25-34 age group.”

National retailer data reveals that Autumn Glory apples have started to capture younger consumers at an impressive rate, explained a press release. Consumers aged 18-29 increased by 1 percent, while consumers aged 30-39 increased by 2 percent from last year.

This demographic shift is particularly noteworthy as apple purchasing habits typically remain stable year-over-year. The substantial growth in these younger age groups would suggest that Autumn Glory’s strategic investments in marketing and social media outreach are successfully connecting with a new generation of apple lovers.

Autumn Glory’s appeal doesn’t stop there. Growth among Up-Market customers—shoppers who prioritize quality and premium products over price sensitivity—has been another key highlight. The data shows Autumn Glory continues to outperform the apple category within this segment, reinforcing its growing perception as a premium product of choice.

Another compelling insight reveals a rapid spike in both dollar sales and volume as soon as the new Autumn Glory crop hits the shelves in the fall. Customers are quick to purchase the apple, signaling strong anticipation and excitement around its seasonal availability. This trend highlights Autumn Glory’s ability to not only attract new buyers but also retain loyal consumers, solidifying its position as a consumer favorite.

As demand for Autumn Glory continues to grow, Superfresh Growers remains dedicated to delivering a high-quality apple that resonates with consumers of all ages and lifestyles.

For more insights in the apple category, you know where to click!