Local and Diverse-Owned Business Accelerator*
Get useful tools, enhance your grocery business knowledge and introduce your product to Schnucks customers.
Congrats to Our 2024 Cohort!
We’re proud of our 2024 Springboard class. Learn more about the cohort below. See below how to sign up for our 2025 cohort.
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 2026 cohort.
Accelerate Your Business
In-Store Product Trial
After course completion, we’ll feature your product for a limited time in select Schnucks stores in Spring 2026. This shelf trial period allows you to reach new customers with your product!
$5,000 in Funding
We’ll grant you $5,000 in equity-free funding once you meet all the requirements, so you can continue to invest in and grow your business.
Weekly Onsite Business Development Classes
Classes will take place afternoons 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
- Pitching to Category Managers
Networking Opportunities and New Connections
Throughout the program, you’ll be given chances to connect with others in the industry, such as:
- A panel with Schnucks category managers.
- A pitch presentation to Schnucks leadership and other companies.
- Weekly classes in which you’ll chat with and work alongside your cohort members.
- Meetings with coaches.
Vendor Requirements
To qualify for Schnucks Springboard, you must:
- Be based in the greater St. Louis, Missouri/Illinois metropolitan area.
- Own a privately-own company with a consumer packaged good product.
- Have existing retail sales.
- Offer a product that’s never been carried by Schnuck Markets Inc. or any of its banners (e.g. Eatwell, Culinaria, Schnucks Fresh).
Shelf Trial Requirements
- Meet food safety and insurance requirements for shelf trial by 12/31/25.
- Obtain national or state third-party certification when applicable by 12/31/2025 that’s valid thru 5/31/2026.
Meet the 2024 Class
We’re excited to introduce our first Springboard cohort! Coming from all different backgrounds, these folks each offer unique products that we’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.
YÜJ 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.
In Partnership with Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council
We’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.