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 […]
Category: Association News
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 […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, National
Seafood Expo To Cover Consumer Trends, Traceability, Sustainability
Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America has announced its 2026 conference program, featuring some 40 sessions with more than 125 industry speakers. The three-day event runs March 15-17 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, with speakers from companies including Ahold Delhaize USA, Circana, NOAA Fisheries and Whole Foods Market. The conference […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, Finance News, National
Meat Institute Backs USDA Line Speed Rule Changes for Pork, Poultry
The Meat Institute has said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) proposed rule changes concerning pork and poultry processing rates will increase production and innovation, helping to ease prices for consumers and benefit livestock and poultry producers. “The Meat Institute has supported changes to line speed rules for pork […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News
Meat Institute: Meat, Poultry Processors Contribute $57.3B To U.S. Economy
The Meat Institute released an economic study finding that the meat and poultry processing industry contributes $57.3 billion to the U.S. economy and provides nearly 584,000 jobs. The entire meat and poultry industry – including livestock production, animal feed, equipment manufacturing and transportation – contributes $347.7 billion in value to the nation, supporting more than […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Registration Open For 2026 NFRA Convention
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has opened registration for the 2026 NFRA Convention, set for Oct. 17-20 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. The convention is expected to bring together more than 2,000 retailers, manufacturers, sales agents and supply chain partners to conduct more than 7,500 […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, Finance News, Market Profile, News, Northeast
Shift In Spending Patterns Detected As DE Shoppers Navigate Economic Minefields
Julie Miro Wenger, executive director of the Delaware Food Industry Council, spoke with The Griffin Report about the busy year she and her members have had. Many challenges have arisen over the past 12-plus months, as a new administration has made some sweeping changes that affect the industry. But the state’s grocers, as is their […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Topco Recognizes Members With Awards, Honors Company Anniversaries
Topco Associates recently held its Annual Membership Conference, during which several members were honored for sales and volume growth across its programs in 2025, with select organizations receiving additional recognition for exemplary performance. “The membership achieved a record year of growth – driven not only by the outstanding performances in pharmacy, center store, fresh and […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National, News
NPPC, NPB Select Pork Leadership Institute Class Of 2026
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the National Pork Board (NPB) has announced the Class of 2026 for the Pork Leadership Institute, selecting 19 people from across the country to participate in the yearlong leadership development program. This year’s class includes: Idaho: Rick Roper Iowa: Ryan Bartachek and Macie Reeb Illinois: Emmalee Haege and […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
FMI Research: Generational Shifts Redefine Shoppers’ Produce Purchases
Fresh produce remains a critical growth driver for food retail, with $97 billion in sales and a 2 percent increase in unit sales, according to FMI – The Food Industry Association’s The Power of Produce 2026 report, which debuted at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure 2026. The category’s future is increasingly shaped by generational […]