Industry leaders gather for SpartanNash Food Solutions Expo
Industry leaders gather for SpartanNash Food Solutions Expo
SpartanNash turned up the flavor at its annual two-day Food Solutions Expo, bringing together nearly 2,000 grocery industry leaders to dish out trendspotting, deal-hunting and community-building. Independent retailers, suppliers and SpartanNash Associates swapped insights, shared samples and snagged hot deals at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids.
SpartanNash showcased curated 2025 Consumer Taste Trends displays, highlighting the top food trends of the year, backed by flavor forecasts and consumer insights. The event also featured supplier and customer award ceremonies and live auctions. The Expo concluded with a donation of leftover product to Feeding America West Michigan, equivalent to providing approximately 45,000 meals to local families in need.
Independent grocers represent 33 percent of retail grocery industry sales, equating to $253.6 billion annually and 1.2 percent of the United States' gross domestic product, according to the National Grocers Association. SpartanNash serves more than 2,100 retail locations, empowering customers with tools to stay fresh, competitive and community-focused.
"Independent grocers are the heart and soul of neighborhood supermarkets, and they bring a distinctive, vital perspective to the industry," said SpartanNash CEO Tony Sarsam. "The Food Solutions Expo offers our attendees the opportunity to turn shelf space into success stories. They come for the savings and stay for the strategy. Most importantly, it helps SpartanNash, our customers and our vendors find new ways to partner together, ultimately elevating the grocery shopping experience for consumers."
The company celebrated five exceptional customers and four vendors who have gone above and beyond in the last year to deliver value to independent customers and their communities during the SpartanNash Vision Awards and Impact Awards, respectively.
The Impact Award winners are Sunkist, The Campbell's Co., Ferrara Candy Co. and Johnsonville. The Vision Award winners are: Discount Drug Mart, Berens Market, Harding's Friendly Markets, Neiman's Family Market and Northland Foods.
"At SpartanNash, our vision is that we see a day when our customers will say, 'I can't live without them,' and these five independent retailers embody that vision in their stores and in their communities," said Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Amy McClellan. "Across the country, independent grocers serve as critical food destinations where neighbors can connect, careers can grow, and family meals and traditions can be created. We are honored to serve these grocers, supporting the role they play in nourishing our communities."
