Foodfor Thought
January 2026
A newsletter for the associates of B&R Stores, Inc.
Seng Boudty & Family Roca 2025
Roca 2025 Family Fun Day
Family Fun Roca 2025
Russ’s Hastings Dedrick Family Roca 2025
Fallbrook Fashionistas Roca 2025
Cutie Patootie! Roca 2025
Erin Osienger Golf Tourney 2025
Roca 2025 56th & NE Prkway Pharmacist James Polk & Family
Golf Tourney 2025
Roca 2025 - Marleene Vidra and Family
Ready for some Roca fun! Roca 2025
Associate Newsletter Pat’s Letter As I look back on 2025, I see many excellent company accomplishments and meaningful steps forward—each made possible by the efforts and ideas of so many of you. One of the greatest joys of my job is seeing team members bring forward ideas that truly work. Soon we will receive the year-end customer numbers from our receipt feedback program. Each quarter, every store posts its most recent results. For those unfamiliar with the program, customers are invited to go online and rate their recent shopping experience, including individual departments and associate interactions. Each and every one of us plays a role in retaining customers, gaining new ones, and—at times—losing them. How would you personally rate your customer service skills (CSS)? If you are a department leader, how would you rate yourself as a teacher and coach of CSS for your team? As leaders, it is important not only to be role models, but even more important to be effective teachers and coaches. I am truly thrilled to read customer feedback each day that recognizes and compliments our teammates. Many customers share that a friendly interaction with one of our associates genuinely made their day. First impressions make a difference. Small, brief conversations make a difference. Last impressions make a difference. Looking a customer in the eye, offering a smile, and saying thank you truly go a long way. Thank you all for making a difference—for taking great care of our customers and teammates, and for bringing forward ideas that sell more product, reduce waste, create safer and cleaner stores, and make our work more enjoyable. Wishing you a Happy New Year, Pat Raybould
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Chad Taylor, January 29, 1971 - September 19, 2025
Chad Taylor
Chad Taylor & Nick Kelso
Chad Taylor began his career with B&R in May 2020 as the Assistant Store Director at Russ’s Market on 66th & O Street, working alongside Joe O’Connor. His talent and work ethic were quickly recognized, and in January 2022 he was promoted to Store Director at Russ’s Market Glenwood. Chad was meant to lead Glenwood. He ran the store as if it were his own, taking immense pride in every detail. Through dedication, vision, and countless hours of hard work, he helped transform the store into something far better than what he inherited. Chad was deeply loved and respected by his team and by the Glenwood community. His leadership was encouraging, appreciative, and trustworthy. He brought positivity and joy to the everyday challenges of retail, making work not just productive, but enjoyable. We are profoundly grateful for everything Chad contributed to Glenwood and to B&R. We are better because he was part of our family, and we miss him dearly.
Leslie Jacobe, Dec 2, 1976 - Dec 1, 2025
Leslie Jacobe - Store 4
Leslie Jacobe began her career with B&R Stores at the age of 16 in September of 1993. Throughout her time at Super Saver 48th & O, she held several roles, including cashier, office clerk, and GM/HBC clerk, before finding her true passion as a cake decorator in 2009. Her bakery manager, Dustin Clark, worked alongside Leslie throughout her years in the bakery and shared that she had a genuine passion for cake decorating and for helping customers bring their ideas to life. Leslie took great care with wedding cake orders, often spending weeks working through details to ensure each cake was exactly what the customer envisioned. She was always willing to lend a hand to her coworkers and assist with any task needed in the bakery. Leslie was a kind and caring soul who left us far too soon, touching the lives of many along the way. We are deeply grateful for her 32 years of dedicated service and the care she showed our customers. Our thoughts are with Dustin and his team, the entire 48th & O team, and Leslie’s family and friends during this difficult time.
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Dan Watteyne SS27 Retires - 37 years
Craig & Seng Golf Tourney 2025
Steve Richardson RM07 retires - 39 years
Marsha Utecht Retires after 26 years with Allen’s
Dan Watteyne Retirement Party
Pat Egger retires after 25 years of service at SS11
Angie setting up treats! Roca 2025
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Five Points Jan Hettinger retires after 7 years.
Simon Golf Tourney 2025
Congrats to HRC Alyssa Baker and hubby Zack married October 18th!
Jessi & Family Roca 2025
Super Saver Columbus Pumpkin Display
Karlee Kelsey born Nov 11th, daughter of SD Drew & Lauren Kelsey
Piper retires after 17 years
Employee Updates
ANNIVERSARIES 5 YEARS
5 YEARS
20 YEARS
Kristy Anderson - Russ’s Market Hastings Logan Evans - Super Saver 27th & Cornhusker April Thomas - Super Saver 27th & Cornhusker Stacey Anderson - Super Saver 56th & NE Prkw Hunter Gallegos - Russ’s Market 33rd & NE Prkwy Jay Luebbe - Super Saver Columbus Ed Gagner - Super Saver Fallbrook Justin Spiehs - Allen’s Hastings Sheryl Schropp - Allen’s Hastings Cathy Shuck - Allen’s Hastings Eden Haack - Allen’s Hastings Walter Schreiner Jr. - Allen’s Hastings Linda Springer - Allen’s Hastings Brady Steffen - Allen’s Hastings Brenda Lynch - Allen’s Hastings Teresa Wallin - Allen’s Hastings Lonnnie Myers - Allen’s Hastings Jayden Propp - Allen’s Hastings Quincie Klingenberger - Allen’s Hastings Greg Tjarks - Allen’s Hastings Vicki Lee - Allen’s Hastings Cody Luce - Allen’s Hastings Patricia Pinkerton - Russ’s Market 17th & Washington Keaton Martinez - Russ’s Market 66th & O Emily Lara Pantoja - Russ’s Market Hastings Bootsie Lloyd - Super Saver 56th & NE Prkwy
Dorothy Urbanovsky - Russ’s Market 33rd & NE Prkwy Tan Luu - Russ’s Market 33rd & NE Prkwy Kyle Kvansnicka - Super Saver 27th & Pine Lake Davey Smith - Super Saver 2nd St. Cathy Chavez - Russ’s Market Coddington & A Nate Olins - Russ’s Market Coddington & A Katrina Owens - Allen’s Hastings
Amy Gaedeke - Super Saver Columbus Sean Robinson - Super Saver 27th & Pine Lake Louis Chavez - Super Saver 2nd St
10 YEARS Monica Neberman - Russ’s Market 66th & O Carol Wiese - Super Saver 56th & NE Prkwy Trey Melgoza - Super Saver 2nd St Theron Waldman - Super Saver 56th & NE Prkwy Mitch Christensen - Super Saver 2nd St Sarah Stage - Russ’s Market Coddington & A
15 YEARS Erin Phillips - Russ’s Market 33rd & NE Prkwy Barb Berry - Super Saver Fallbrook Bev Blecha - Super Saver 56th & NE Prkwy Nancy Hyland - Super Saver 56th & NE Prkwy Ralph Barber - Super Saver 27th & Pine Lake Ryan Robinson - Apple Market Kearney
25 YEARS Will Stubbendeck - Russ’s Market 33rd & NE Prkwy Kevin Stones - Super Saver 27th & Pine Lake
30 YEARS Eva Schilke - Russ’s Market Coddington & A
35 YEARS William Marshall - Super Saver 27th & Cornhusker Nicole Rolf - Super Saver Fallbrook
40 YEARS Eric Schafers - Support Center William Marshall SS9 Service Supervisor - 35 years
Chris Piper and Mark Griffin
RETIREMENTS Chris Piper - Russ’s Market 66th & O, Store Director, 17 Years of Service Pat Egger - Super Saver 56th & NE Parkway, Deli Clerk, 33 Years of Service Dan Watteyne - Super Saver Fallbrook, Produce Manager, 37 Years of Service Steve Richardson - Russ’s Market Hastings, Store Director, 39 Years of Service Barb Mundt - Super Saver Pine Lake, Service Manager, 26 Years of Service Marsha Utecht - Allen’s Hastings, Bakery Clerk, 5 Years of Service Jan Hettinger - Super Saver 5 Points GI, Dairy Clerk, 7 Years of Service
TEAM ADDITIONS & PROMOTIONS Ashley Priest - Dairy/Frozen Manager, Russ’s Market Havelock (Sept) Austyn Goodwin - Assistant Store Director, C&R Shelbina (Sept) Noah Goldberg - Scanning Manager, Russ’s Market Havelock (Sept) Jacob Luff - Dairy Manager, Mason’s Minden (Sept) Brad Sage - Service Manager, Super Saver Pine Lake (Oct) Stacie Lovitt - Bakery Manager, Super Saver Columbus (Oct/Nov) Tyler Hermida - Deli Manager, Russ’s Glenwood (Oct)
Steve & Nick Retirement Party
Angela Etter - Produce Manager, Russ’s Glenwood (Oct) Jason Stoner - Store Director, C&R Shelbina (Oct) Rian Floyd - Produce Manager, Super Saver Fallbrook (Oct) Noah Rizek - Store Director, Russ’s Market Hastings (Oct) Greg Frost - GMD Manager, Super Saver 2nd Street (Nov) Danielle O’Hara - Deli Manager, Russ’ Market Coddington (Nov) Nawroz Alshamo - Deli Manager, Super Saver 27th & Cornhusker (Nov)
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Bringing Big Ideas Home Grocery Shop 2025 Earlier this Fall, Micah Goldman and Marty Jarvis attended Groceryshop 2025 in Las Vegas — a major event where retailers, brands, and tech leaders come together to talk about the future of grocery. The biggest theme this year was innovation that makes grocery shopping smarter and simpler. From AI tools that help manage inventory and reduce waste to f rictionless checkout systems and improved online shopping experiences, technology is reshaping how stores operate and how customers shop. We also saw a strong focus on sustainability and community impact — f rom eco-f riendly packaging to smarter supply chains and more transparent sourcing. These ideas align closely with the values our company already stands for. Events like Groceryshop help us stay ahead of the curve and bring back new ideas to strengthen our stores, improve customer experiences, and position our company for continued growth.
Grocery Shop 2025 Las Vegas
Best Bagger Competition
The Nebraska Grocery Industry Association hosted its annual Best Bagger Competition on October 7 at Tiburon Golf Club, bringing together top baggers from across the state. Dylan Hartshorn of Russ’s Market in Lincoln proudly represented his store, competing alongside leading baggers in a fast-paced event judged on speed, technique, weight distribution, and attitude. Austin Kollasch of Fareway Stores earned first place and will advance to the National Grocers Association Best Bagger Championship in Las Vegas, where the winner receives a $10,000 prize. The statewide competition was generously sponsored by LinPepCo of Lincoln, with additional support from Associated Wholesale Grocers, Blackford Brokerage, Colby Ridge Popcorn, Fareway Meat & Grocery, Keurig Dr Pepper, Rotella’s Italian Bakery, SpartanNash (Our Family brand), Tasty Toppings, Inc. (Dorothy Lynch), and The Hershey Company. The event celebrates the skill and professionalism of grocery employees across Nebraska. Learn more at nebgrocery.com.
Dylan Hartshorn - RM 21represented us in the NGA Best Bagger Championship in Las Vegas
Snapshots
Tam & Fam - Tammy Britain
Lynn Baldwin - The Dude Roca 2025
Tashina & Hubby, Austin Roca 2025
Mary Krielger & Family
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Eric & Grandbaby! Roca 2025
Santana Dotson & Team Roca 2025
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Food Blitz
The 13th Annual Food Blitz drive took place on November 8 at several Super Saver and Russ’s Market locations across Lincoln. Organized by Lincoln Southwest FBLA in partnership with nine additional DECA and FBLA chapters, the city-wide food drive collected donations to benefit People’s City Mission. Over its 12-year history, the Food Blitz has raised more than 70,000 pounds of food, and this year’s event continued that tradition, with students stationed outside participating stores encouraging community support. Community members generously contributed to help local families in need coming into the holiday season. This year, across Russ’s Market and Super Saver locations, over 12,000 pounds of food was donated during this event.
Shelbina ASD, Austyn Goodwin
C&R Shelbina Fall Display
Monroe City SD, Rick Winter
Kahoka ASD, Liz Gargus
Shelbina SD, Jason Stoner
C&R Reps Macon Homecoming Parade
Edina SD & ASD, Randy Carlson and Tara Powers
2025 B&R Governor’s Tailgate Group Photo