Kearney, Neb. – This year’s winner of Russ’s Market/B&R Stores Nebraska nineth-annual Best Local Product Award is Valentino’s. Established in 1957, Valentino’s has been a Lincoln, Nebraska staple that was started with Weiler family recipes. Today they operate numerous pizza restaurant locations across Nebraska and neighboring states, as well as sell their spaghetti sauce in grocery stores regionally.
No business is more fitting to sponsor this award than Russ’s Market / B&R Stores, a staple in Nebraska since 1964 and a proud GROW Nebraska® member since 2009. What began as a single store in Lincoln has grown into a thriving enterprise, now operating nine Russ’s Market locations and a total of 34 B&R Stores across eight different banners, including 20 locations in Nebraska. Marty Jarvis of Russ’s Market/B&R Stores emphasizes that when selecting a business for this award, they prioritize Nebraska-based companies that consistently deliver high-quality products that are in high demand and regularly stocked on their shelves.
Russ’s Market customers know the value of the Valentino’s name. In 1971, the Messineo and Alesio families acquired Valentino’s and initiated plans for expansion. Since then, not only have they expanded their pizza to-go and dine-in locations, they have also packaged their spaghetti sauce for retail and sell frozen pizza and lasagna via mail-order.
The 2025 MarkeTech conference was a huge success, featuring outstanding speakers and incredible sponsors. Jarvis said “Hosting the award at MarkeTech continues to be an incredible honor. It’s the perfect platform. You’re showcasing Nebraska businesses, and there’s no better place for it than right here.”
The GROW Nebraska® Foundation will be excited to announce next year’s winner at the 2026 conference which will be held March 24-25. For more information about MarkeTech please visit https://marketechconference.com/ and stay tuned for upcoming details on next year’s conference!
The GROW Nebraska® Foundation was founded with the idea of expanding resources to businesses and entrepreneurs alike to make a sustainable living anywhere within the state of Nebraska. As a 501(c) 3 educational foundation, the GROW Nebraska® Foundation was founded in 1998 and now works to extend resources, training, a brick and mortar store, as well as an eCommerce site full of Nebraska products to help elevate Nebraska-based businesses and connect Nebraska entrepreneurs to the global marketplace. Support or join GROW Nebraska® Foundation’s efforts by visiting www.grownebraska.org.
B&R Stores, Inc. was founded in 1964 by Russ and Anita Raybould. The family-owned company has grown to include several supermarket banners including Russ’s Market, Super Saver, Apple Market, Allen’s, Cash Saver, C&R Markets, and Joe’s Market located in Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri.