Schraad Sales & Marketing

09/08/2026

There’s no longer just one way to shop. 🛒📱

Technology has reshaped the grocery experience, giving consumers more flexibility in how they make their purchases.

Many shoppers prefer the convenience of ordering online, while others still enjoy browsing the aisles. Some are even finding a balance between the two.

These preferences have created three distinct shopper types: in-person, digital-first, and hybrid.

Each group has different priorities, and understanding what drives them can help retailers create experiences that keep customers coming back.

Our latest blog breaks down what retailers should know about each shopper: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07H7tR0

09/03/2026

The ultimate grocery bagging showdown 🏆

Team Schraad joined the Iowa Grocery Industry Association to support the Best Bagger contest at the Iowa State Fair.

Contestants put their skills to the test, bagging 35 items, with speed, placement, and balance all factoring into the final score.

This event was a great way to celebrate Iowa’s grocery community. Thanks to Jamie Thompson and Renee Cirksena for representing Schraad, and congrats to Kyle from Hy-Vee in Davenport, IA, on taking 1st place! 👏

09/01/2026

Seneca in action. 🚜

Last week, Team Schraad visited Seneca with our partners from Harps Food Stores to take a deeper look at the business, its operations, and, most importantly, its people.

Throughout the visit, our team stepped out of the conference room and into the fields for a unique look at the brand they couldn’t experience anywhere else. Spending time with Seneca’s team in the fields and at the plant let us see the passion and pride they bring to their work. Their commitment to delivering great products is evident at every step and is what makes Seneca’s vision of “Farm Fresh Goodness Made Great” a reality.

From the fields to the finished product, seeing that level of care and commitment firsthand gave our team an even greater appreciation for the hard work that goes into how Seneca serves its customers and consumers every day.

We’re grateful for the time spent with the Seneca team and for the hospitality shown throughout our visit. Experiences like this remind us how fortunate we are to work alongside great partners and the outstanding people behind the brands we represent.

📸: Jordan Guanong- Harps, Kyle Cowan- Schraad, Josh Cleveland- Harps, Tim Baca- Harps, Carl Bowling- Seneca, Patrick Thompson- Schraad, Mick Mullen- Schraad, Christian Gandara- Seneca

08/27/2026

Another great visit with the Maruchan team! 🤝

Team Schraad recently joined Maruchan in San Antonio for a closer look at the business and the product's journey from the plant to stores.

It was a great chance to see the business in action and connect with the team on what’s ahead.

We look forward to continuing to build the brand together!

08/24/2026

The corporate office just got a new look! 🎨

We traded in an old painted sign for something that’s more of our own. Thanks to the talented team behind. Aditi Designs, Aditi and Dane Heins, we have this eye-catching mural that lets everyone know what we do best.

08/21/2026

The Go Big Show brought it all! 🐟

Our Iowa team recently joined Hy-Vee for the Go Big Show, where they connected with brands and gained a first look at what’s next for the retailer.

One of the show’s highlights was Trident’s immersive seafood experience, bringing the sights and energy of a Seattle fish market to the show floor. Complete with a live fish toss, it felt like an authentic piece of Seattle made it to Iowa.

Thanks to Hy-Vee for another great show and the opportunity to connect with many industry partners!

📸: Mason Miller, Jamie Thompson, Renee Cirksena, Kristin Bertram and Richard Musser.

Scott Kirch (Calbee), Mike Kniepkamp (Imos), Greg Kurkjan and Kyle Lind (Oasis Dates) Bill Herrington and Jason Pride (Hy-Vee), Jack Mertes (Trident), Jeremy Prine (Marzetti), Ryan Scott (Kinders), Pat McErlean, Chris Lambert (Manns/Church Bros), Justin South (Chomps)

08/20/2026

Giving back for back-to-school 📚✏️

The corporate team recently hosted a school supply drive supporting The Urban Mission to help students across Oklahoma City head into the new school year prepared and ready to learn.

We’re grateful for the ability to come together as a team and make a difference in our community. Here’s to a great year ahead for these students!

08/18/2026

The shopper is changing and retailers are moving with them. 🛒

Value, trends, health, and convenience are shaping what consumers want, and these preferences are directly influencing what makes it to the shelf.

Our latest blog breaks down the biggest changes in consumer behavior and what they mean for retailer decision-making.

👉 Read the full blog on our website: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07gkbV0

08/14/2026

Associated Wholesale Grocers' centennial anniversary is a milestone worth celebrating, and we are proud to mark the occasion with a donation to AWG Cares. 👏

AWG is a valued partner, and it's an honor to work alongside a team that has championed independent grocers and strengthened communities for generations.

Congratulations to the AWG team on this remarkable achievement and the lasting impact they continue to make across the grocery industry.

📸 Pictured: Dan Funk, Scott Evans, and Joe Kelley from AWG. Dawn Cianci, Leonard Storey, Todd Herrenbruck, Hayden Schraad, Rhonda Bernier, Bradley Breeding, Michael Brennan, Nicole Zuber, David Teson, Mark Carpenter, Jeremy Livingston, Craig Waters, and James Sherwood from Schraad.

This week at our Fall HGS Show in Kansas City, the Schraad & Associates team presented $10,000 to the AWG Cares Employee Charitable Foundation in honor of AWG’s 100th anniversary and our strong partnership.

We are incredibly grateful for Schraad’s continued relationship and generosity. Together, we are helping make a meaningful difference for those in need across the communities we serve.

08/12/2026

A first look at what's next from Mizkan!

Team Schraad recently headed to Chicago for Mizkan’s annual planning meeting, where we got a glimpse at what’s ahead for their range of brands and some exciting new innovations.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside the Mizkan team and bring these insights back to the work we’re doing to build brands and drive growth.

📸: Todd Herrenbruck, Patrick Thompson, Ryan Thompson, Nikki Schriever