58 • May | June 2026 • abasto.com Beyond the “Hispanic Aisle”: Integrating Culture One of the most significant shifts Banner has spearheaded is the move away from the isolated “ethnic aisle.” According to Scott Hilligoss, who leads procurement and marketing, the independent grocers in Chicago have led the way in integrating international products throughout the en- tire store. “It’s not just Hispanic stores anymo- re; they’re international stores,” says Hilligoss. While the first generation of immigrants remained fiercely loyal to traditional staples like Maseca and nopa- les (cactus), the second and third genera- tions are more adventurous. Banner has adapted by sourcing diverse regional products, such as Salvadoran and Honduran creams and cheeses, alongsi- de global viral hits. When a Japanese ice cream became the talk of the Lollapalooza music festival, the Banner team sourced it immediately. “It’s out of our realm, but we give our stores new items they can make money on,” Richard noted. Looking Toward the Next Century What’s next? For Ryan Saltzman, it’s about expansion and logistics, with customers already traveling from as far as Canada and Florida to access Banner’s unique va- riety and quality. While the company will celebrate its milestone on June 13th with a massive warehouse party and fireworks, the work doesn’t stop. The facility continues to ope- rate 24 hours a day across three shifts to ensure that Chicago’s neighborhood sto- res have exactly what they need, exactly when they need it. “We continue to evolve,” says Hilligoss. “We don’t have a crystal ball, but if it’s so- mething our customers need, we’re going to go get it.” • Continuation of page. 56 Inventory 6,000+ Unique Items Workforce 105+ Employees Logistics 9 Trucks; 16 Incoming Shipments Daily Community Impact $75,000+ Annual Food Bank Donations • FOOD INDUSTRY