The Alabama Grocers Association (AGA) held its annual Food Industry Finest Luncheon on Oct. 30, with more than 120 people gathering to discuss the work of the organization and those in the state’s food, beverage and grocery profession during 2024.
Sen. Bobby Singleton and Rep. Anthony Daniels were the guest speakers. The AGA honored the following industry leaders with awards at the luncheon:
Retailer of the Year Award
This honor was presented to Kamal Constantine, owner and president of Piggly Wiggly Gulf Coast.
“Being a member of AGA gives you a larger family,” Constantine said. “All of a sudden, you have support not just from within your company but from many other companies that do the same thing as you. AGA has worked very hard to give us the resources we need, all while being our biggest cheerleaders. I cannot thank them enough for their support.”
Wholesaler of the Year Award
Charles Weathington, market development manager at UNFI, received this award.
“There are many areas of value as far as being a part of AGA,” Weathington said. “One big one would be the incredible team, who all do a tremendous job on their efforts to help us succeed in the industry. There is no reason you should not be a part of AGA.”
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Vendor of the Year Award
Don Richardson, key account manager at Coca-Cola Bottling Co., UNITED, was this year’s recipient.
“I believe that the greatest value in being a member of the AGA is knowing that all of us have an advocate within the association who is working on our behalf every day,” Richardson shared. “The AGA has meant so much to me in being able to form new friendships and bonds with people that I hope will last a lifetime.”
Ellie Taylor, president and CEO of the Alabama Grocers Association, praised the honorees.
“Their dedication to the grocery industry and the customers they serve is so incredibly important and truly embodies excellence in our industry,” she said.
The food retail industry in Alabama provides half a million jobs, with more than $2.5 billion in annual wages. Grocers pay some $1.1 billion in state taxes and have a total economic impact of more than $12 billion. AGA has been honoring professionals who are making an impact in the grocery industry since 1996.
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