ST. LOUIS, MO - Todd Schnuck, Chairman and CEO of Schnuck Markets, Inc. announced the 1939 Group, Inc.’s definitive agreement to purchase 100% of the shares of the Wisconsin-based parent company of Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers, Inc. The purchase includes shares held by Mark Skogen, CEO of Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers, Inc, as well as the shares in the trust held by associates in their Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

The 1939 Group, Inc. (1939 Group) is owned by the family that owns Schnuck Markets, Inc., whose name honors the year the family’s matriarch, Anna Donovan Schnuck, opened the first store in St. Louis, a press release stated.

Skogen’s Festival Foods’ and Hometown Grocers’ 51 stores are located throughout Wisconsin. Forty-two stores operate under the Skogen’s Festival Foods banner, while Hometown Grocers includes nine banners: Dave's County Market, Denny's Supervalu, Don's Quality Market, Lake Mills Market, Lakewood Supervalu, Super Ron's Food Center, Thompson's County Market, Thorp Supervalu and Wittenberg Sentry Foods. Upon the sale’s closing, the 1939 Group is committed to maintaining the stores’ existing banners, all of which are well-known and respected in the communities they serve.

“Our family is honored to be entrusted with the Skogen family legacy, one that began serving Wisconsin communities in 1946 and continued for decades under the leadership of Dave and Barb, and later, under Mark as CEO,” said Todd Schnuck. “Schnucks, Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers share a strikingly similar set of core values, tracing our success to decades of consistently focusing on the communities we serve, the values we share and the ongoing quest for excellence in grocery retail. With this combination, we’re welcoming more than 8,000 associates to our family, unifying two family legacies and redefining what it means to be a regional grocer.”

Upon closing of the purchase, Todd Schnuck will become Chairman and CEO of the newly-formed 1939 Group, and will also lead a workforce of more than 19,000 as Chairman and CEO for Schnuck Markets, Inc., Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers.

“It’s been a privilege to serve Wisconsin communities and continue the legacy my grandparents began in 1946,” said Mark Skogen, outgoing CEO of Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers, Inc. “Our focus has always been on treating every customer like a guest, supporting the growth of our associates who make that experience possible and giving back to the communities we serve. With Schnucks’ shared commitment to nourishing lives, this transition will help expand our impact and continue our tradition of community support across the Midwest.”

Upon completion of the purchase, Schnucks, Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers, Inc. will maintain their existing corporate headquarters and operate as separate, sister companies with shared support by the 1939 Group. The 1939 Group and Schnucks are based in St. Louis, Missouri, and Skogen’s Festival Foods’ and Hometown Grocers’ offices are located in Onalaska and Green Bay, Wisconsin. The closing is anticipated to be completed later in October, subject to customary review and approval for these types of transactions.

The establishment of the 1939 Group is a remarkable milestone for Schnucks teammates, as well as the Schnuck family – paving the way for the continued growth, investment and preservation of Schnucks, Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers as thriving, family-owned companies – 86 years and counting.

PORTERVILLE, CA - They may be small in size, but Little Pranksters™ kiwi berries are making a big splash this fall. Homegrown Organic Farms is officially kicking off the 2025 season with expanded supply and new top-seal packaging that keeps fruit fresh, eye-catching, and ready for snacking.

“Little Pranksters™ were a hit last year, and we’re thrilled to bring them back with more supply and a packaging upgrade,” said Stephen Paul, Deciduous Category Director for Homegrown Organic Farms, in the recent release. “The new top‑seal format improves merchandising, reduces plastic, and keeps fruit protected without hiding its vibrant appeal.”

Little Pranksters kiwi berries are fuzz-free and bite-sized, making them the ultimate grab-and-go snack. They pack the sweet-tart punch of a kiwi in a snackable size that doesn’t require peeling. But true to their playful name, they come with one important trick: they’re sweeter when ripe. Firm fruit can fool you with a tart taste, but once they soften, they deliver the burst of sweetness that makes them irresistible.

They’re loaded with vitamin C, rich in fiber, and full of essential nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and vitamin E. With higher antioxidant levels than traditional kiwifruit, they’re as good for your body as they are for your taste buds.

Little Pranksters are offered in both organic and conventional programs, anchored by two standout varietals. The proprietary Tahi, exclusive to Homegrown Organic Farms, is available only in conventional programs and valued for its larger berries, smooth green skin, and naturally sweet flavor. The Ana varietal is available in both programs, giving retailers added flexibility while delivering the same playful taste consumers have come to love.

Little Pranksters™ are grown in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where cool nights and warm days produce exceptional flavor. AgriCare, the sister company to Homegrown Organic Farms, oversees the growing and harvesting of the crop. “This season we’ve seen excellent fruit quality thanks to the region’s conditions and the dedication of our team. We’re proud to bring Little Pranksters to market at a scale that meets growing demand,” said Gunnar Avinelis, CEO of AgriCare.

The season runs from September through November, with fruit shipping from both Sheridan, Oregon, and Kingsburg, California. This year, consumers will find Little Pranksters in 6 oz consumer packs and 16 oz top seal options for bulk and club programs. The top-seal packaging not only enhances shelf appeal but also supports sustainability goals by reducing plastic use by 25%.

“From growers to packers to our creative team, everyone rallied to deliver a bigger, better season,” said Scott Mabs, CEO of Homegrown Organic Farms. “What excites us most is the opportunity to continue growing the Little Pranksters brand and introducing more consumers to this playful fruit.”

WENATCHEE, WA - Communicating a message to consumers can be difficult, but some companies, like CMI Orchards, make it look easy. Recently honored with the 2025 Besties Award for Best Merchandising Concepts, the supplier’s ability to deliver strong messaging in visually striking formats continues.

I spoke with Rochelle Bohm, Vice President of Marketing, to hear more about CMI’s award-winning strategy.

“Our merchandising philosophy is rooted in one simple belief: flavor should lead the way, and innovation should follow closely behind,” Rochelle told me. “We see every display, package, and retail tool as an opportunity to tell the story of our growers, our communities, and the unmatched eating experience of our fruit.”

Inspired by both tradition and forward-thinking creativity, CMI Orchards designs merchandising solutions that simplify the retailer’s job while sparking shopper curiosity. Whether that’s through interactive programs like Apple Crush, patriotic campaigns like American Dream, or regenerative seals that connect consumers to the planet-positive practices behind its produce—more on this to come—CMI strives for simplicity while not being afraid of testing tactics to bring hype and excitement to produce.

“Merchandising is where vision meets reality: it’s where our fruit comes alive in the hands of shoppers. For our team, it’s personal because it represents the bridge between orchard and table, grower and consumer,” Rochelle added. “Professionally, it’s significant because we know the right merchandising can drive trial, encourage trade-up to premium varieties, and ultimately lift the entire category. Effective merchandising can make or break a sale, and we know that with the ever-diminishing attention span of our shoppers, we always have to be on the lookout for creative ways to stand out and push apples, pears, and cherries to the top of mind for shoppers.”

The company’s investment in retail solutions has reinforced CMI’s broader goals of not only growing the tastiest fruit but also ensuring it gets the attention it deserves on the shelf.

“Our merchandising work has evolved alongside the industry, consumer expectations, and new technology, too,” Rochelle added. “Early on, it was about simple POS tools like posters and 7x11 cards; today, it’s about delivering immersive, story-driven experiences that compete for attention in a crowded marketplace. Challenges such as changing consumer habits, sustainability demands, and digital integration have prompted us to innovate, whether through recyclable packaging, QR-enabled storytelling, or utilizing apps and various media to communicate with shoppers. That evolution reflects CMI’s broader growth: we’re not just adapting, we’re leading.”

Each challenge offers CMI a chance to sharpen its creativity, reinforce its commitment to retailers, and position CMI as a marketing partner as much as a fruit supplier.

A heartfelt thank you to our Besties Committee for your time, dedication, and insight. Your contributions are deeply valued. Each year, our team compiles the Besties ballot with nominations across all award categories, and our committee votes to determine the winners.

This year, the committee voted on every category except Snack Storyteller, Retailer of the Year, Best Marketer to Work With, and the Lifetime Achievement Award—three honors selected by our leadership team due to their special significance.

Another round of applause for CMI Orchards on this incredible achievement!

WASHINGTON, DC - The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) Division has recently received a significant increase in allegations of fraudulent activity involving individuals and entities falsely claiming to be licensed PACA members and legitimate produce buyers. These fraudsters place orders for fruits and vegetables, divert the load to an unknown location, and then fail to pay for the produce.

In these schemes, fraudulent purchasers order product and in most instances arrange for its transport. However, when the shipper invoices the company believed to have purchased the produce, the company confirms it never placed the order or received the product. By the time the shipper begins verifying email addresses, phone numbers, names, and titles, it becomes clear the transaction was fraudulent, and the shipment was stolen. Often, these impersonators use the names of established companies, including the names of personnel within the company, to carry out the deception.

Shippers are strongly encouraged to verify the specifics of any potential transactions in advance. Before completing a sale:

• Confirm buyer details such as delivery destination, company personnel, and contact information.
• Be on alert for slight differences in phone numbers and email addresses of potential buyers, such as subtle misspellings or extra characters.
• Cross-check buyers’ information with the PACA license search tool and other trusted industry resources.

To report suspected fraudulent activity, email [email protected]. You are also encouraged to report any stolen shipments to local law enforcement.

For additional information on your rights and responsibilities under PACA, please visit: https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/paca or call 800-495-7222.

RICHMOND, VA - Performance Food Group Company announced that it has entered into a clean team agreement with US Foods Holding Corp. that enables the companies to share information in order to evaluate regulatory considerations and the synergies related to a potential business combination.

In recent weeks, members of the PFG Board and management team engaged with several of PFG’s large stockholders to hear their perspectives, and the Company is committed to continuing that dialogue. The Company also engaged with US Foods on how the two companies could most effectively explore a potential business combination while safeguarding confidential information. Following these conversations, the PFG Board, along with its independent financial and legal advisors, concluded that there was sufficient basis to begin information sharing. The companies are therefore initiating a clean team process consisting of a group of independent lawyers, economists, and consultants who will perform analysis using more detailed confidential information.

According to the recent release, there can be no assurance that this information sharing will result in any transaction proposal, or any assurance as to its outcome or timing. PFG does not intend to make additional comments regarding this matter unless and until a definitive agreement is executed or PFG and US Foods terminate discussions.