Schnucks Markets Inc.’s innovative program that places small-business products directly on its shelves is returning as the season turns from winter to spring.
Schnucks is seeking its third cohort of emerging suppliers for the Schnucks Springboard accelerator program, which has helped local and out-of-state businesses grow their companies.
To apply, Midwest business owners should visit schnucks.com/springboard by April 25, 2026.
To qualify, owners must:
- Have annual consumer packaged goods (CPG) revenue of less than $1 million
- Have fewer than 10 years in the CPG business
- Employ fewer than 50 employees
- Offer a product never previously carried by Schnucks Markets Inc. or any of its banners
- Be based in one of 12 Midwestern states (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau): Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota or Wisconsin
If selected, vendors must attend all business development classes in person at Schnucks’ St. Louis headquarters this fall and meet food safety, insurance and other regulatory requirements for a product shelf trial.
Businesses that meet all requirements and are accepted into the cohort will receive $5,000 in equity-free funding and an in-store product trial at select Schnucks stores in 2027.
“After receiving incredible feedback from the first two Schnucks Springboard classes, we’re proud and excited to welcome our third cohort of businesses and look forward to helping them reach more customers and grow their businesses,” said Adria Moore, Schnucks senior director of merchandising enablement and emerging suppliers.
“Not only are we here to teach, we’re here to learn, and we’ve incorporated feedback received from the first two cohorts to make this an even better learning experience for our participants.”
Products from the second cohort of companies will appear on shelves in select Schnucks stores for a trial run beginning in mid-April.