Schnucks Markets Expands Farm Direct-to-Store Initiative
Schnuck Markets Inc., in collaboration with Foodshed.io, is set to enhance its farm direct-to-store initiative aimed at providing customers with an increased variety of fresh produce. This initiative seeks to not only improve flavor but also ensure superior freshness by delivering locally sourced products directly to Schnucks stores.
Program Launch and Success
The pilot program kicked off in fall 2024, partnering with one local farm to service multiple Schnucks locations throughout the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area. Due to its early success, Schnucks expanded the initiative in 2025, bringing in additional farmers and extending it to more store locations.
Enhancing Local Food Economy
Michael Tipton, VP of produce and floral at Schnucks, shared insights on the program: “This initiative is a vital advancement in our mission to bolster the local food economy while delivering the freshest products to our consumers. By collaborating with nearby farms, we can significantly reduce transportation time and place freshly harvested produce on our shelves within hours.”
Key Partnerships
Ozark Forest Mushroom, the original farm partner, has been instrumental in the program’s achievements. Located in St. Louis’s Fox Park neighborhood, this farm specializes in gourmet mushrooms and now supplies over 13 Schnucks locations weekly throughout the year. Their close proximity allows for timely deliveries and last-minute orders.
Dan Beckmann, CEO at Foodshed.io, emphasized the program’s innovative approach to local food supply: “We’ve stayed connected with smaller, family-run farms that produce high-quality fruits and vegetables but struggled with volume commitments necessary for distribution center deliveries. This initiative bridges that gap, aligning growers with Schnucks locations that can accommodate their capabilities.”
Geographical Expansion
This year, Schnucks has further expanded the “Hyper Local” initiative into Evansville, Indiana, providing customers with a selection of local produce, including sweet corn from Family Tradition Farm, blackberries from Stoll’s Greenhouse, and green bell peppers from Mayse Farm Market.
Stephen Rennels, division manager at Schnucks, expressed excitement about this expansion: “Having served the Evansville market for nearly 50 years, it’s a pleasure to connect our customers with farms they know and love. We anticipate further growth as summer approaches.”
A Continued Partnership
For over six seasons, Schnucks and Foodshed.io have been dedicated to enhancing local produce access. Their partnership has introduced various innovations, from “Fresh Produce Now” alerts to devising systems that make the farm direct-to-store model both feasible and cost-effective for consumers.
About Schnucks Markets
Founded in St. Louis in 1939, Schnuck Markets Inc. is a proud third- and fourth-generation family-owned grocery retailer, committed to nourishing communities. Operating 113 stores across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, Schnucks employs over 11,000 team members. According to Forbes 2024 rankings, Schnucks ranks as the 203rd largest privately owned company in the U.S. and the 13th largest grocery retailer. The company is also dedicated to community welfare, donating over $15 million in food to local pantries to assist those in need.
Schnucks is part of 1939 Group Inc., the family-owned entity established with the opening of the first Schnucks store, which also includes Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers Inc.
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