The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has announced the 30 participants for its 2026 First Penguin Leadership Program. The year-long offering aims to address a growing industry need for structured, cross-sector leadership development that builds strategic perspective, strengthens collaboration and accelerates readiness among rising talent in dairy and frozen foods. It recognizes those […]
Category: Association News
Posted inNews, Association News, National
ReposiTrak, NGA Expand Partnership With Scan-Based Trading Endorsement
Salt Lake City-based ReposiTrak has expanded its partnership with the National Grocers Association (NGA), which selected the company as its endorsed partner for traceability, compliance management and scan-based trading. The announcement builds on NGA’s 2022 decision to name ReposiTrak as its exclusive traceability and supplier compliance partner. The new endorsement adds scan-based trading solutions to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Minnesota Retailers Face Mounting Pressures Despite Strength Of Independent Network
Minnesota maintains one of the nation’s strongest independent grocery networks, but increased government mandates driving up costs, stagnant population growth and a shrinking workforce are creating significant headwinds for retailers across the state, according to Patrick Garofalo, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association. “There’s a lot of pressure on those individual stores,” he said. “We’re […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
NGA Urges FTC, DOJ To Address Buyer Power Raising Food Prices
The National Grocers Association sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Jan. 20, urging both agencies to use current antitrust authorities to address market manipulation by dominant grocery retail power buyers, especially Walmart. NGA warned that unchecked buyer power is raising rivals’ costs, accelerating consolidation and […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
FMI Appoints 4 New Directors To Board During Midwinter Conference
FMI – The Food Industry Association appointed four new directors to its board of directors Jan. 23 during the organization’s annual Midwinter Executive Conference in Chula Vista, California. The appointees are Jason Buechel of Amazon.com Inc.; John Foraker of Once Upon A Farm; Mark Griffin of B&R Stores Inc.; and Lauren Redman of Newport Avenue […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, National, News
Swish Wins Fifth Annual FMItech Pitch Competition
Swish was crowned the winner of the fifth annual FMItech Pitch Competition Jan. 22 during the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference in Chula Vista, California. The technology company powers targeted, automated programmatic sampling by placing full-size products into consumers’ online orders. Twenty-two contestants submitted nominations, which were evaluated by a panel of judges from the food […]
Posted inAssociation News, Finance News, Market Profile, News, West
Hawaii Grocery Industry Adapts During Uncertain Times, Mounting Challenges
The grocery industry in Hawaii is facing mounting challenges as food insecurity remains high and transportation costs continue to climb. Approximately 30 percent of Hawaii’s residents report some level of food insecurity, according to Alexis Chapman, director of operations for the Hawaii Food Industry Association in Honolulu. The situation is even more dire in certain […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National, News
FMI Honors 7 Leaders With 2026 Executive Leadership Awards
FMI – The Food Industry Association recognized seven industry leaders with its 2026 Executive Leadership Awards on Jan. 21 at the Midwinter Executive Conference in Chula Vista, California. The recipients represent Alex Lee, Inc.; Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.; Market of Choice Inc.; Wakefern Food Corp.; The Clorox Company; Stater Bros. Markets; and Knowlan’s Super […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Association News, Merchandising News, News, Northeast
MRA: Pricing Ban Would Raise Costs For Maryland Shoppers
The Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) is opposing legislation that would prohibit “surveillance pricing,” calling it based on misconceptions about how pricing actually works in grocery stores and retail more broadly. Retailers do not set prices based on consumer personal data, identity or purchasing history, the trade association said Jan. 22. Grocery shelf prices are the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
NGA Backs Congressional Push For Antitrust Enforcement
The National Grocers Association is backing a bipartisan congressional effort to investigate discriminatory pricing practices that disadvantage independent grocers. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Rep. Mike Rulli (R-OH) this week sent letters to the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission urging enforcement action. The letters call for investigation […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, Executive News, National, News
3 Industry Leaders To Join 2026 Frozen Food Hall Of Fame
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) and the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) have revealed the three industry leaders who will be inducted into the 2026 Frozen Food Hall of Fame. The inductees are Paul DiGenova, general manager of commodities with Nortera; Richard Marks, former chairman of the board of directors […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, Finance News, National, News
U.S. Private Label Sales Hit Record $282.8B In 2025
U.S. store brand sales reached a record $282.8 billion in 2025, climbing 3.3 percent compared to 1.2 percent growth for national brands, according to year-end Circana Unify+ data released Jan. 20 by the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA). The $9 billion increase marks store brands’ continued momentum in capturing market share across all retail channels. […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Executive News, National, News
FMI Names Shawgo To Lead Digital Transformation Strategy
FMI – The Food Industry Association has appointed Jennifer Shawgo senior director, technology strategy and programs, a new role designed to accelerate responsible digital transformation across the food retail sector. Shawgo, who brings two decades of cross-sector experience spanning distribution, software startups and association leadership, will lead programs, partnerships and member engagement connecting technology and […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, National, News
American Bakers Association Pledges To Phase Out Potassium Bromate
The American Bakers Association (ABA) has announced its new “Baked Goods Ingredient Pledge,” a voluntary industry commitment to complete the phase out of potassium bromate from baked goods across the United States. The initiative builds on the momentum of ABA’s previous voluntary commitments: the “Baked Goods in Schools Pledge” and the “Baked Goods FD&C Colors […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, National, News
FMI, NGA Back Reintroduced Credit Card Competition Act
Grocery industry trade associations are renewing calls for credit card swipe fee reform following the reintroduction of the Credit Card Competition Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at increasing competition in the marketplace and reducing costs for merchants and consumers. The National Grocers Association (NGA) and FMI – The Food Industry Association voiced support for the bill’s […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, National, News
PLMA Expands SalesStar Partnership With New Online Training Tracks
The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has expanded its partnership with SalesStar to deliver a new suite of online training programs tailored to private brand manufacturers, brokers and suppliers. The expanded offering includes three cohort-based curricula – Mastering Enterprise Sales, Account Management and Category Leadership – designed to strengthen capabilities across key stages of the […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Independent Store News, News, Northeast
ASG SVP Scher Receives NJFC’s Trade Relations Award
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) has named Ken Scher, SVP of business development at Associated Supermarket Group (ASG), as the recipient of its 2026 Jimmy Ostling Trade Relations Award. One of the organization’s highest honors, the award recognizes leadership and dedication in advancing trade relations within the food industry in the state. Scher will […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Finance News, National, News, Organic Natural
INFRA Shares Executive Leadership Promotions To Support Growth
INFRA, a nationwide purchasing cooperative of independent natural food retailers and a leader in the natural foods industry, has shared two executive leadership promotions, reflecting the organization’s continued growth and deepened focus on serving its members. Danelle Rydel has been promoted to chief of member operations, while Jen LaValley has been promoted to CFO. “These […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCA Names 11th Future Leadership Program Class
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has named the 11th class of participants in its Future Leadership Program, a professional development initiative designed to support the next generation of leaders in the confectionery industry. The program – established to nurture emerging talent and strengthen leadership pipelines across companies involved in chocolate, candy and gum – brings […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Association News, National, News
Organic & Natural Health Association To Address Policy Integrity, Innovation
The Organic & Natural Health Association will spotlight policy integrity, supply chain innovation and industry advocacy at its 2026 Organic & Natural Industry Conference, the association’s flagship event for the organic and natural products sector. The three-day conference, scheduled for March 8-10 in Las Vegas, will convene business leaders, policy experts and industry partners from […]