A year after launching its business accelerator program, Schnuck Markets announced Tuesday it will introduce products from the program’s first cohort of local businesses in 15 of its St. Louis area stores.
The program, called Schnucks Springboard, provides local, diverse-owned businesses with education, resources and access to the grocery company’s existing customer base. The Missouri-based grocer introduced the program in March 2024. Each participating company received business development classes at Schnucks’ St. Louis headquarters; $5,000 of equity-free funding, provided that they met certain requirements; and an opportunity for in-store product trials at Schnucks stores.
Starting Wednesday, 11 Missouri and four Illinois Schnucks stores will offer the companies’ products in a four-week trial. To help introduce the new goods to shoppers, the grocer has scheduled sampling events for the first weekend in May at select locations, per the announcement.
In partnership with Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council, Schnucks chose 10 companies in August for the program’s first class “based on their business stability, incremental sales opportunity, strategic vision and corporate responsibility,” according to a press release at that time. Local, small companies selected include Hugo Coffee Roasters, Mickey’s Popcorn, Phathead BBQ Sauce and Sandwich Goat Seasonings.
While the Schnucks Springboard program is only just over a year old, the company is already preparing for its second cohort of local businesses. In March, the grocer announced it is seeking its next participants, with in-store trials slated to begin in 2026.
