Festival Foods

Festival Foods is a family- and employee-owned grocery company operating stores throughout Wisconsin. It was founded as Skogen's IGA by Paul and Jane Skogen in 1946 in Onalaska, Wisconsin, and is still owned by the Skogen family.[2] Festival's private label brands are supplied by SuperValu, with the majority under their Essential Everyday label.

Not to be confused with Festival Foods (Minnesota).
Skogen's Festival Foods
TypePrivate
IndustryGrocery
PredecessorSkogen's IGA
Founded1946
FounderPaul and Jane Skogen
Headquarters
De Pere, Wisconsin
,
United States[1]
Number of locations
33
Area served
Wisconsin
Key people
Mark Skogen, CEO and President
Productsbakery, catering, dairy, deli, frozen foods, general grocery, meat and seafood, wine and spirits, general merchandise, floristry
OwnerSkogen family
Number of employees
7,500 (2019)
WebsiteOfficial website
Festival Foods in Holmen, Wisconsin

History

In 1946, Paul and Jane Skogen opened Skogen's IGA with just $500.[3][4] Paul's son, Dave Skogen, took over the company in 1976. In 1979, they acquired the Red Owl store in Holmen, Wisconsin.[3] In 1991, Festival Foods opened their first store in Onalaska, Wisconsin, with the name licensed from Supervalu.[4][5] In 2005, Dave Skogen was named 'Grocer of the Year' by the Wisconsin Grocers Association, in recognition of his work with Festival Foods.[6][7] In 2006, Dave's son Mark Skogen became CEO.[3] In 2014, Mark Skogen was also named 'Grocer of the Year' by the Wisconsin Grocers Association.[6][7]

Road sign controversy

In December 2016, Festival was sued by Metcalfe Inc., which operates three grocery stores in Wisconsin,[8] over the use of Festival's "Road Sign Marks", which both Festival and Metcalfe used to promote local products. Metcalfe accused Festival of "intentional, deliberate and willful" violations of trademark laws, since Metcalfe applied for a trademark on its "Wisconsin Food Miles" road sign as compared to Festival's "Locally Grown" road sign.[9] Festival said that it would fight the suit.[10]

Weight violation and labeling error

In September 2019, Festival Foods was fined $32,016 by state agency for labeling errors. The company had 39 weight violations and two labeling errors that the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection found in seven Wisconsin stores, based on legal documents filed in Eau Claire County Court.[11]

Subsidiaries

In 2010, Festival Foods purchased the Apple Creek Inn of De Pere, and renamed it The Marq.[12] The Marq is a 550-seat banquet and catering facility.[13] In 2013, Festival added a second Marq location in Suamico.[14] On May 19, 2020, Festival announced the closure of the Marq due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15]

Corporate governance

Corporate headquarters

In September 2015, Festival announced plans for a new corporate headquarters facility in De Pere, Wisconsin.[1] Festival Foods also maintains a support office in Onalaska, Wisconsin.[7]

Charitable giving

In 18 cities in Wisconsin, Festival Foods sponsors an annual fireworks show.[16][17][18]

Festival Foods also hosts the Turkey Trot, a 2 and 5 mile walk/run that takes place on Thanksgiving in ten communities in Wisconsin. Proceeds from the event go to the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.[19]

Festival Foods also sponsors the Green Bay Marathon, Lifest, and Grocers on the Green Golf Outing.[18]

References
  1. "Festival plans new De Pere headquarters". Greenbaypressgazette.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  2. "Festival Foods". Festival Foods. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  3. "The Festival Foods Story". Festival Foods. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  4. Armstrong, Heather. "Dave Skogen: Success as businessman...and author". Wxow.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  5. "SUPERVALU INC. - Grocery Retail and Supply Chain Services - Homepage". Supervalu.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  6. "Skogen Named WGA Grocer of the Year". Progressivegrocer.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  7. "Festival Foods' CEO is state Grocer of the Year". Greenbaypressgazette.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  8. "Festival Foods sued in trademark case". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  9. "Metcalfe's Sues Festival Foods for Trademark Infringement". ProgressiveGrocer. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  10. "Festival Foods, Metcalfe's clash in court over trademark logo". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  11. Leader-Telegram, Andrew Dowd. "Festival Foods fined by state agency for labeling errors". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  12. "Apple Creek Inn". Festfoods.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-08-07. Retrieved 2016-07-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. "The Marq". The Marq. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  15. "The Marq Banquet and Catering announces permanent closure". WBAY. May 19, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-07-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. "Festival Foods Fireworks". Festival Foods Fireworks. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  18. "Festival Foods and Community Involvement". Festfood.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  19. "Festival Foods 7th annual Turkey Trot". Fdlreporter.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
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