Schnucks Expands Local Produce Offerings

Schnuck Markets Inc. has partnered with logistics and marketing platform Foodshed.io to bring its most expansive local produce season to market since the grocer was founded in 1939.

For the 2021 season, more than 50 varieties of fresh, local produce are featured in all 111 Schnucks stores, according to a news release. Produce items range from tomatoes to watermelons to fresh herbs. Foodshed.io is drawing from 15 farms in the four states in which Schnucks operates (Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin).

“Buying from local farms helps us support our local neighbors while providing a higher-quality product for our customers,” Schnucks VP of Produce and Floral Mike Tipton said in a statement. “By reducing the time it takes from the farm to our stores, we are able to get the freshest produce, [and] our customers can taste the difference.”

Through its partnership with Foodshed.io, now in its third season, the St. Louis, Mo.-based Schnucks has been able to expand its local produce offerings by 173% year over year, according to the company. The Foodshed.io platform is also responsible for ensuring that the produce is available for customers while giving local farms the stability they need to plan their seasons.

“We are excited to offer our local greenhouse-grown specialty lettuces and salads to Schnucks customers and are excited to grow our farm and business working with Foodshed.io and Schnucks,” said Mark Schneider, owner of The Farmer & Co. in Strawn, Ill.

“The commitment Schnucks has made to its communities and its farms is second-to-none,” said Clare Sullivan, co-founder and chief science officer at Foodshed.io. “Our technology provides a consistent experience our customers can count on and makes it easy for farmers to do what they do best—grow food for our communities.”

Through its work with Foodshed.io, Schnucks is also aiming to create a more-resilient local supply chain in the region. All partner farms are encouraged to use regenerative practices that ensure the land is able to feed the region for generations to come, the company stated.