The ideas of entrepreneurs that inspired business start-ups throughout the region are now on Schnucks Markets shelves at select stores from the grocer’s Schnucks Springboard program.
The products, part of the first class of Schnucks Springboard local and diverse-owned business accelerator, began four-week trial periods on Wednesday, April 23 on a devoted endcap at 15 St. Louis-area Schnucks stores.
After the trial period, Schnucks category managers will evaluate customer demand and sales of accelerator products to determine if the products will become part of Schnucks’ everyday offerings.
In addition to the store trial, company owners also received development classes, network opportunities and $5,000 in equity-free funding.
Schnucks Springboard began accepting applications in early 2024 with the first 10 participants being named last summer.
They include Phathead BBQ Sauce, Bella’s Pet Products, D.R.E.A.M. Pet Food, Hugo Coffee Roasters, Mickey’s Popcorn, MOTASTE, Pop Pop Hurray, Sandwich Goat Seasonings, Show Me the World, and YÜJ Granola.
The Show Me The World organization focuses on STEM learning, entrepreneurship, and encouraging cultural awareness through at-home learning and global travel. Students benefit from in-depth, hands-on learning that has a profound, lifelong impact.
Its students receive in-depth training in entrepreneurship through operation of its Show Me The World Coffee enterprise.
“This rollout is a big step forward, and I’m grateful to have been part of the inaugural Schnucks Springboard Diversity cohort that helped make it possible,” Sylvester Chisholm, Show Me The World co-founder and director of business strategy,” wrote in a Facebook post.
“Thank you to everyone who’s supported the mission. We’re just getting started.”
Mickey’s Popcorn co-founders Penny and Kenny Mickey, said on Instagram, “This isn’t just a drop, it’s a one-month trial, and your purchases decide if we stay.”
“So, we’re calling in the flavor troops. If you’ve ever craved popcorn with a punch of boozy brilliance, bold storytelling, and a whole lotta heart, this is your moment.”
Last month, Schnucks accepted applications for its 2025 Springboard cohort; those accepted will be named at a later date.
Diverse-owned is defined as at least 51% owned, operated and managed by a U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident that is a member of one or more of the following groups: Woman, Disabled, Black American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Native American, Hispanic American, LGBT and/or U.S. Military Veteran.
Schnucks Springboard was designed to provide education, resources and access to local and diverse-owned businesses.
The companies were selected in partnership with Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council based on their business stability, incremental sales opportunity, strategic vision and corporate responsibility.
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis honored Schnucks with the Civic Leadership Award in 2023, and Schnucks was also recently named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024 by Newsweek.
“Schnucks is proud to welcome these companies’ high-quality products to our stores’ shelves,” said Adrian Moore, Schnucks senior director of merchandising enablement and supplier diversity.
“We look forward to introducing them to our customers and hope to help propel these proprietors to the next level.”
The Missouri Schnucks locations featuring Springboard products are Arsenal, Bridgeton, Cross Keys, Des Peres, Dorsett, Hampton Village, Ladue, Lindenwood, Richardson, Richmond Center, and Twin Oaks.
The Illinois stores are in Edwardsville, Godfrey, Granite City and Swansea.
To help introduce the products to customers, several coordinated sampling events will be held at the following Schnucks stores:
Saturday, May 3: 10-11:30 a.m. Richmond Center; 1-2:30 p.m. Des Peres; Richardson 5-5:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 4: 10 – 11:30 a.m. Edwardsville; 1 – 2:30 p.m. Cross Keys.