The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) announced the Silver Plate Award winners of its 2025 Bag Hunger Campaign, which collected 1.9 million meals and $16,500 for neighborhood hunger-relief organizations across the state. Since the program launched in 2008, MGA hunger campaigns have delivered more than 47 million meals to Minnesota families. The campaign engages grocers, vendor […]
Category: Association News
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, News, Northeast
Seafood Expo North America Expo Opens In Boston, MA
The 44th edition of the Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, the continent’s largest seafood trade event, opened March 15 at the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston. The three-day expo runs through March 17, covering 247,915 net square feet of exhibit space with 1,215 exhibitors representing 50 countries. Major retail buyers […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Executive News, Featured News, National, News
NCSA Names 11 To 2026 Candy Hall Of Fame Class
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has announced 11 inductees for the Candy Hall of Fame Class of 2026 and named Michael Rosenberg, president and CEO of PIM Brands Inc., as the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Service Award. Both honors will be presented during the NCSA’s annual meeting Oct. 22-24 at the Signia by […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Association News, National, News
IHA Names 12 Global Honorees In 2026 Product Design Awards
The International Housewares Association (IHA) named 12 Global Honorees in its 2026 Global Innovation Awards (gia) for Excellence in Product Design during the annual gia Gala at McCormick Place in Chicago. The winners were drawn from five finalists in each of 12 product categories, selected through a two-round judging process. The awards were a part […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, News, West
WAFC’s Retail Management Certification Program Reaches 1K Graduates
The Albertsons Southern California Division has reached 1,000 graduates of the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) Retail Management Certification (RMC) program, marking a decade-plus milestone in associate education for one of the country’s largest grocery divisions. The free program, designed to provide accessible career development for retail associates, has grown into a division-wide initiative […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, Executive News, Featured News, National, News
AFFI Names Van Doren Chief Of Government Affairs
The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) has hired Lisa Van Doren as chief of government affairs, effective March 16. Van Doren will lead the association’s legislative and regulatory strategy on behalf of the frozen food industry. In the role, Van Doren also will manage congressional and federal agency engagement, oversee coalitions and political activities and […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, Featured News, News, Northeast
NFRA Names 8 Finalists For 2026 Penguin Pitch Emerging Brand Contest
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has named eight finalists for its 2026 Penguin Pitch: Emerging Brand Contest, spotlighting innovation across frozen and refrigerated categories ahead of the organization’s convention. The grand-prize winner will receive a featured showcasing opportunity at Café NFRA during the 2026 NFRA Convention, set for Oct. 17-20 in National […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, National, News
12 Finalists Named For 2026 Seafood Excellence Awards
Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America has named 12 finalists for its 2026 Seafood Excellence Awards, selected from 108 entries in its New Product Showcase. Winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m. ET on March 15 in the Wave Makers’ Zone at the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, followed by […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
IFPA Calls On Congress To Fund Produce Incentives, Expand School Programs
International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) CEO Cathy Burns testified March 11 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, urging lawmakers to expand federal produce incentives, modernize nutrition programs and increase investment in U.S. growers. Burns argued that closing America’s fruit and vegetable consumption gap is a public health and economic imperative. Nine […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News, Nonfood Items
AI Experts Urge Retailers To Move Beyond Simple Automation
Artificial intelligence (AI) can help retailers unlock hidden revenue in underperforming inventory, improve customer targeting and streamline operations — but only if companies stop treating it as a time-saving shortcut and start using it as a strategic tool. That was the message from two digital commerce experts during a keynote at The Inspired Home Show […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NCA Launches Candy Campaign Ahead Of U.S. 250th Anniversary
The National Confectioners Association has launched Sweet Land of Liberty, a yearlong advocacy and marketing campaign timed to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence that frames the U.S. chocolate and candy industry as a major American manufacturing story. The campaign features activations in Washington, D.C., and nationwide, including a presence at Sweets & […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
NCA Report: U.S. Confectionery Sales Climb To $55B In 2025
Americans spent a record $55 billion on chocolate, candy, gum and mints in 2025, and the category shows no signs of slowing down, according to the National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) 2026 State of Treating report. Sales are projected to grow an additional $7.3 billion over the next five years, reaching $62.2 billion across all outlets […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, National, News
ABA, Retail Bakers Of America, Baking Association Of Canada Announce Strategic Partnership
The American Bakers Association (ABA), Retail Bakers of America (RBA) and Baking Association of Canada (BAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the formation of a strategic relationship. The arrangement will allow the three organizations to identify opportunities to enhance their collective service to the baking industry across North America. The cooperation […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCA Relaunches Website With New Data Tools Amid Nutrition Policy Push
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has unveiled a redesigned AlwaysATreat.com, expanding the site’s resources for consumers, policymakers and media as the confectionery industry faces heightened scrutiny in state and federal nutrition policy debates. What’s new The updated site features improved navigation, expanded resources and new tools that make it easier to explore facts about chocolate […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, Market Profile, Midwest
Nebraska Grocers Grappling With General Sense Of Unease, Labor Costs
Ansley Fellers, executive director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association, responded to questions from The Shelby Report of the Midwest about what’s happening in the state’s grocery industry. How would you characterize the overall health of the grocery industry in Nebraska right now, and what are the key factors driving performance in 2026? I […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, Finance News, Midwest, News
MGA Presents 2026 Legislator Of The Year Awards
The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) honored Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar) and Sen. Susan Pha (D-Brooklyn Center) as its 2026 Legislators of the Year during the association’s annual Legislative Dinner at The University Club in St. Paul. The lawmakers were recognized for their roles in securing continued funding for the MGA Foundation’s Carts to Careers initiative, […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NPPC Praises House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Passage
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) praised House Agriculture Committee passage of Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s (R-PA) bipartisan Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026. Commonly referred to as Farm Bill 2.0, the legislation includes relief for pork producers facing a patchwork of state animal housing laws spurred by California Proposition 12, which they […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Topco Names Big Y’s D’Amour As Board Chairman, Shares Leadership Updates
Topco Associates LLC elected Michael D’Amour, president and CEO of Big Y Foods, as board chairman during the cooperative’s Annual Membership Conference. D’Amour, who previously served as vice chairman, succeeds Steve Smith, president and CEO of K-VA-T Food Stores Inc., whose two-year term as chairman expired following the conference. Smith remains on the board as […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NFRA Highlights Innovation, Flexibility During March Frozen Food Month
American eating habits are changing, with meals becoming less structured, snacking on the rise and consumers seeking foods that offer flexibility, variety and value, the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) said. The frozen food aisle is meeting that demand with innovation including globally inspired flavors, air-fryer-ready formats and portion-smart options. During March Frozen […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
Shelby Exclusive: FMI’s Harig Discusses Key Factors Impacting Food Prices
Shelby Publishing’s Maggie Kaeppel recently visited with Andy Harig, FMI – The Food Industry Association’s VP of tax, trade, sustainability and policy development, to add additional economic context on the state of the industry following the Annual Meat Conference, which was held March 2-4 in Baltimore, Maryland. What forces are having the greatest impact on […]