ST. LOUIS, MO - Save A Lot, one of the largest discount grocery chains in the U.S., announced the accomplishments of 10 of its Retail Partners, sharing the names of the owners and operators honored at the company’s annual Retail Partner Awards.

The awards were presented during the Company’s annual meeting and food show for store owners and operators, held in St. Charles, Mo. Awards were given to recognize performance in calendar year 2025 across several major categories, including year-over-year customer and sales growth, Store Managers of the Year, Hometown Hero, Omnichannel Leaders, Outstanding Customer Service, and Retail Partners of the Year. Retail Partners were divided into groups based on store count to ensure recognition across all network sizes.

Award Winners: Sales and Customer Count Growth

Given to stores with the highest year-over-year customer count and sales growth for the full year of 2025.

• Single Store Owner: Lavergne, TN, owned & operated by Dwayne & Greg Smith
• Medium Store Owner (2–6 stores): Greensboro, NC, owned & operated by Jason Bramblett & Patrick Sowers
• Large Store Owner (7+ stores): Russell Springs, KY, owned & operated by Anchor Foods

Award Winners: Omnichannel Leader

This award recognizes stores that excel in app engagement, loyalty signups, e-commerce adoption, and digital strategy.

• Single Store Owner: Rod & Angie Taylor
• Medium Store Owner (2–6 stores): Shannon McPherson
• Large Store Owner (7+ stores): Ascend Grocery

Award Winners: Outstanding Customer Service – Scott Clewis, IT Director Product Delivery

This award honors a Save A Lot Support Center or Distribution Center team member who consistently delivers exceptional service to Retail Partners.

The company is proud to recognize Scott Clewis, IT Director Product Delivery, for his commitment to problem-solving, transparency, and hands‑on partnership. His willingness to support every challenge, provide clear expectations and elevate technology solutions has made him an indispensable resource for Retail Partners nationwide.

Award Winners: Hometown Hero – Al Solanki, Moultrie, GA

The company is honored to recognize Al Solanki, a dedicated Retail Partner whose compassion and selflessness have made him a beloved figure in his community for more than a decade.

Al’s generosity is evident year-round, including his annual Christmas Day tradition of partnering with the Mennonite community in Moultrie to feed the homeless. He sets up a tent in front of his store to offer warm meals, sleeping bags, gloves, socks and essential items to those in need. He also regularly supports local schools and the YMCA with meals, snacks, equipment and financial contributions.

Award Winners: Store Managers of the Year

Given to store managers who exhibit outstanding leadership, operational excellence, customer focus, and team engagement.

• Single Store Owner: Brandon Dial, Lavergne, TN
• Medium Store Owner (2–6 stores): Rosalinda Teneyuque, Saginaw, MI (Al Kessel)
• Large Store Owner (7+ stores): Jorge Aguilar, Denver, CO (Leevers Supermarkets)

Award Winners: Retail Partners of the Year

The Retail Partner of the Year award is given to Retail Partners who demonstrate outstanding results across the business on all metrics (sales, customer count, purchases) as well as demonstrate outstanding community involvement, team engagement and a commitment to the Save A Lot brand image.

Single Store Owner: Steve Dunn

Steve Dunn has operated his Save A Lot since 2019, remaining a dependable, trusted Hometown Grocer despite the evolving competitive landscape. Over the past seven years, he has navigated shifting market dynamics by staying focused on what matters most—creating a safe, clean, fast and friendly shopping experience for his customers. In 2025, his store saw customer count rise more than 4% and sales increase over 3%, a direct reflection of his consistency and care for the community he serves. His ability to meet the needs of a diverse customer base, even as competition comes and goes, is a testament to his resilience and commitment.

Medium Store Owner (2–6 stores): Sauer Group

With more than 45 years of ownership, the Sauer Group continues to set the standard for stable, community‑driven operations. Their growth in both sales and customer count in 2025 reflects their unwavering dedication to their neighborhoods and their commitment to investing in people. The group remains strong supporters of Save A Lot programs and has worked closely to pass savings directly onto their customers. Known for their popular 3‑Day meat sales, they consistently provide quality meal solutions at affordable prices. Their leadership team has spent decades building a strong operational foundation and preparing the next generation to carry their legacy forward. This year’s award is especially meaningful as patriarch Wayne Sauer enters a well‑deserved retirement.

Large Store Owner (7+ stores): Rabban Brothers

For more than three decades, the Rabban Brothers have been among the most respected and dependable operators within the Save A Lot family. Their business is grounded in two defining principles—devotion to family and deep commitment to community—which have shaped their leadership style across all their stores. This past year brought significant challenges, particularly for locations heavily driven by EBT sales. Despite these pressures, they remained steady and solution‑oriented, leaning into merchandising to protect value, strengthen customer experience and maintain momentum. They have been hands‑on leaders in implementing operational best practices, ensuring each location is positioned for long‑term growth.

“These Retail Partners and store leaders demonstrate every day what makes Save A Lot special,” said Bill Mayo, CEO of Save A Lot, in the recent release. “Through operational excellence, meaningful community engagement and a commitment to delivering fresh, full, friendly and clean stores, they drive our brand forward. We are honored to recognize their hard work and leadership across our network.”

SALISBURY, NC - Food Lion customers and associates came together once again to support hunger-relief efforts through Food Lion Feeds’ annual Orange Bag campaign, helping provide more than 13 million meals to individuals and families experiencing hunger across its 10-state footprint.

During the campaign, held Feb. 25 through March 17, 2026, customers supported hunger-relief efforts by purchasing specially marked bags filled with fresh navel oranges and making donations at the register or through Food Lion’s eCommerce platform, Food Lion To Go. Each contribution helped support local communities through Food Lion Feeds’ partnership with Feeding America® and partner food banks.

“Across the towns and cities we serve, many of our neighbors face challenges accessing the food they need,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion. “The Orange Bag campaign shows how simple it can be to come together and make a difference. We’re grateful for every customer and associate who made that impact possible.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly 1 in 7 U.S. households experienced food insecurity, highlighting the continued need to support individuals and families facing hunger.

“Ending hunger requires strong partnerships and campaigns like Food Lion’s Orange Bag initiative are a powerful example of that collaboration in action,” said Linda Nageotte, President and Chief Operating Officer at Feeding America. “We’re grateful for Food Lion’s continued commitment and for the customers and associates making an impact in communities, helping ensure neighbors have access to the food and resources they need to thrive.”

Since the campaign began in 2019, Food Lion customers have helped provide more than 54 million meals through the purchase of Food Lion Feeds-marked navel orange bags and customer donations.

Food Lion Feeds has helped provide more than 1.5 billion meals** to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to donating 3 billion meals by 2032. For more information on Food Lion Feeds’ commitment to end hunger, visit www.foodlion.com/feeds.

CARLSBAD, CA - Approaching her fourth Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference (WFPC), Stefanie Katzman has been an attendee, a speaker, and an advocate for the event—and for connection opportunities across fresh produce at large.

“Our industry is so unique—the stories expand as one thing touches the next,” the Chief Executive Officer for Katzman Produce shared with me, reflecting on how quickly things can change. “Conferences in general are so important. Networking in our industry is key, even more so than others because of the pace at which we work and the amount of outside forces that require us to move so nimbly and so fast.”

Any edge on what is around the corner is incredibly valuable, and it is through networking and connection that anyone in our industry can gain such stride.

“Networking in general is one of the most important opportunities of any event, and WFPC does that plus more,” Stefanie observed. “It gets more women involved, and it is one of the few events where every level goes, along with people from all different departments.”

With openness being so paramount to a successful experience, Stefanie pointed out that WFPC does well in constructing a less pressured situation as some events where buying and selling are the main focus. Instead, everyone is there seeking the same goal: to break down barriers and meet allies throughout the fresh industry. It is a goal everyone can take something away from.

“Even the veterans I have met say they learn from newer industry members, either from outside our industry or even operations at the ground level they didn’t know. My own first experience in 2023 was great all around; I met and got to listen to great people talk, sometimes about the industry and some about life in general,” Stefanie shared.

Drawing on her own experience as a leader who must evaluate any investment, Stefanie pointed out the value she's seen in attending conferences like WFPC.

“It’s hard to evaluate an event you haven’t been to as an employer,” she observed. “I tried to attend as many events as possible over a period of time to truly evaluate what made sense for our business and which people were the best fit to get the best return. But networking so you know people, both for a connection at any given company, but also learning who is out there and a skillset you might not yet know you need, is invaluable. Relationships and your integrity are so important in this industry, and women can become more valuable in their roles with that opportunity.”

Thankfully, the event’s growth is a measurable testament to its success, offering a range of roles and experiences for all who attend. But, Stefanie shared, it is on the attendees to maximize the opportunities.

“Like anything else, you’ll get out what you put into it. You will meet people who want to support and know you but you have to be willing to be you and converse as well,” Stefanie imparted on first-time and prospective attendees.

With the 2026 event upon us, I cannot wait to see how many new faces take this advice and where it leads them.

NOGALES, AZ - Prime Time’s Mike Way and Jeff Taylor, along with their wives, Ellen Way and Sandy Taylor, were recently recognized as the 2026 Champions of Youth by the Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley, honoring their continued commitment to community engagement and long-standing support of the organization. The recognition reflects not only their leadership, but also the broader impact Prime Time continues to make both within the industry and in its local community.

Long recognized as a trusted partner, Prime Time has built its reputation on consistency, quality, and strong collaboration. That same commitment extends beyond its operations, where the company and its leadership have consistently forged ahead with purpose, vision, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others.

Prime Time’s relationship with the Boys & Girls Club dates back decades, with the company first becoming involved in 1966. Mike Way, Jeff Taylor, and their families have continued that involvement since 1995, carrying forward a legacy of support that has remained a consistent part of the company’s identity. Over the years, they have served on boards, supported fundraisers, and consistently shown up to lend a hand, demonstrating a hands-on commitment that goes far beyond traditional corporate involvement.

“It’s not always money that shows your support—it’s your time and effort, going above and beyond what most people do. That’s what we’ve witnessed from the four of them,” said Anthony Bianco of Anthony Vineyards and BGC of CV Board Member, in the recent release.

Through its ongoing partnership, Prime Time supports youth development programs that provide local children with mentorship, resources, and a safe environment. The company’s involvement reflects a deeper belief that success in agriculture is closely tied to the strength and well-being of the communities it serves.

A recently released tribute video further showcases the impact of this partnership, highlighting the organization’s appreciation for Prime Time’s continued involvement and support.

“You think about someone who’s been there for us, it’s Prime Time. You think about somebody who helped take us over the top to be in the top 5% of the nation, it’s Prime Time,” said Quinton Egson, President & CEO of BGC of CV. “When I think about true champions of youth, I can’t think of anybody better than Prime Time.”

As the company looks ahead, its partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley remains a cornerstone of its outreach efforts, demonstrating that investing in people and community is just as important as delivering quality product. This partnership reflects what it truly means to be Growing Greater Together.

Link to tribute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ber3bXTFFr0.