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Diverse-Owned Business Accelerator*

Get useful business tools, enhance your grocery business knowledge and introduce your product to Schnucks customers.


Congrats to Our 2024 Cohort!

Weā€™re proud of our 2024 Springboard class. Learn more about the cohort below, and be sure to check back for more information about our 2025 Springboard Accelerator as we get closer to spring.



Accelerate Your Business

In-Store Product Trial

After course completion, weā€™ll feature your product for a limited time in select Schnucks stores in Spring 2025. This shelf trial period allows you to reach new customers with your product!

$5,000 in Funding

Weā€™ll grant you $5,000 in equity-free funding once you complete the course**, so you can continue to invest in and grow your business.

Weekly Onsite Business Development Classes

Classes will take place in late afternoon at the Schnucks home office in St. Louis, MO. Each class has been carefully crafted to provide you with grocery business knowledge, such as:

  • Food Safety
  • Pricing and Promotion
  • Marketing and Engagement
  • Distribution and Logistics
  • Retail Technology
  • Business Strategy
Networking Opportunities and New Connections

Throughout the program, youā€™ll be given chances to connect with others in the industry, such as:

  • A panel with Schnucks category managers.
  • A pitch presentation to an advisory board with other companies, banks and grant providers.
  • Weekly classes in which youā€™ll chat with and work alongside your cohort members.
  • Meetings with mentors and coaches.

Vendor Requirements

To qualify for Schnucks Springboard, you must:

  • Own a privately-owned DBE with a consumer packaged good product.
  • Have obtained a national or state active third party DBE certification 90 days prior to shelf trial.
  • Have existing retail sales.
  • Offer a product thatā€™s never been carried by Schnucks.
  • Meet food safety and insurance requirements for shelf trial.

Meet the 2024 Class

Weā€™re excited to introduce our first Springboard cohort! Coming from all different backgrounds, these folks each offer unique products that weā€™re excited to feature on our shelves in spring 2025. Check them out via their linked websites below.


Bella's Pet Products

Recipient Name: Mackenzie Johnson
Location: Jackson, MO
Affiliation: Woman-Owned, LGBT-Owned
Product: Sells and distributes hand-made, all-natural, preservative-free dog treats.



Dream Pet Food

Recipient Name: Paul Paige & Jaime Cooper
Location: St. Louis, MO
Affiliation: Black-Owned
Product: Offers five flavors of all-natural, limited ingredient dog treats.



Hugo Coffee Roasters

Recipient Name: Claudia McMullin
Location: Park City, UT
Affiliation: Woman-Owned, Disabled-Owned
Product: The only female-founded coffee roaster with an animal welfare mission.



Mickey's Popcorn

Recipient Name: Penny Mickey
Location: Memphis, TN
Affiliation: Woman-Owned, Black-Owned
Product: Small batch popcorn inspired by geographic regions and top-shelf spirits.



Motaste

Recipient Name: Christopher Bonty
Location: Harrisonville, MO
Affiliation: Black-Owned
Product: Offers health-conscious premium spice blends.



Phathead BBQ Sauce

Recipient Name: Terry Payton
Location: Bethalto, IL
Affiliation: Black-Owned
Product: Sells and distributes five delicious flavors of BBQ sauce.



Pop Pop Hurray

Recipient Name: Antonio Davis
Location: Ferguson, MO
Affiliation: Black-Owned
Product: Offers various flavors of gourmet popcorn.



Sandwich Goat Seasonings

Recipient Name: Adreannia Robinson
Location: Frankfort, IL
Affiliation: Black-Owned, Woman-Owned
Product: Offers a collection of eight delicious, gluten-free spices and herbs.



Show Me the World

Recipient Name: Sylvester Chisom
Location: St. Louis, MO
Affiliation: Black-Owned
Product: Provides meticulously sourced and expertly roasted specialty coffee.



YƜJ Granola

Recipient Name: Massiel Villanueva
Location: St. Cloud, FL
Affiliation: Hispanic-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned
Product: Offers a soft, chewy granola with innovative flavors from organic ingredients.



The Next Springboard Accelerator Is Coming Soon

Applications are currently closed. Be sure to check back in the spring to learn more and apply for our 2025 cohort.



In Partnership with Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council

Weā€™d like to extend a special thanks to our partners at Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that specializes in developing connections between top corporations and diverse-owned businesses.


Schnucks Springboard FAQs

* Diverse-owned businesses are at least 51% owned, operated, and managed by a US citizen or legal US 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, US Military Veteran).

** No more than two in-person classes can be missed in order to qualify for the funds.