As Americans move past the holidays and return to everyday routines, frozen and dairy foods are emerging as essential staples that help consumers manage food budgets, reduce waste and simplify daily meal planning, according to a new press release from the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA). With their longer shelf life and ready-when-needed […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA, NACS Urge USDA To Clarify SNAP Restriction Enforcement
The National Grocers Association and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) are urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide clearer guidance on how food restriction waivers for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be enforced, citing concerns about retailer compliance and the potential impact on food access. In the letter, the associations […]
Posted inAssociation News, Health & Wellness, National, News
FMI Welcomes Release Of 2026 Dietary Guidelines For Americans
FMI – The Food Industry Association has issued a statement welcoming the release of the updated U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Updated every five years by the agriculture department and Health and Human Services, the guidelines serve as the foundation for federal nutrition policy, education efforts and food programs such as school […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
Report: Gum, Mint Sales To Grow $1B By 2030
The National Confectioners Association’s inaugural “Getting to Know Gum and Mint Consumers 2025” report found that gum and mints account for 13 percent of all confectionery sales. Generational turnovers are reshaping subcategories, with Millennial and Gen Z consumers driving virtually all growth in gum and mints, according to the report. As such, total gum and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Feature, National, News
Independent Grocers Find Support in NGA Foundation’s Resources
For grocers, staying competitive requires more than selling fresh goods. It demands a commitment to workforce excellence and embracing new technology to handle federal food assistance programs. That is where the National Grocers Association Foundation (NGAF), the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association (NGA), comes in, providing free specialized, hands-on guidance at no cost to grocery stores of all […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGAF Shares 2026 Student Case Study Competition Topic For NGA Show
The NGA Foundation, the educational arm of the National Grocers Association, has revealed the topic for its Student Case Study Competition at The 2026 NGA Show – “Keeping Shelves Relevant and Customers Inspired: Converting Direct-to-Consumer Trends into In-Store Activations.” The show is set for Feb. 1-3 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Part of […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
Registration Open For 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo
Registration for the 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo – set for May 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas – is open for all attendees. The annual show gathers thought leaders and industry experts to share and gain insights, connect with fellow professionals and drive the candy and snack industries forward. “Sweets […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
FMI Responds To USDA Guidance On SNAP Waivers
FMI – The Food Industry Association has responded to recent USDA guidance on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) waiver implementation, emphasizing the need for a clear transition period to help retailers prepare for new requirements that will affect point-of-sale systems, compliance and customer transactions. In its statement, FMI highlighted the importance of a well-managed transition […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
PFMA Opens Applications For 2026 Ridge Scholarship
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association has opened applications for the 2026 Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship. The program provides one year, $2,500 awards to support PFMA member employees and their families as they pursue higher education during the 2026-27 academic year. The Ridge Scholarship honors Thomas R. and Laura Ridge, parents of former Pennsylvania […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News, Nonfood Items
Key Brands Confirmed For The 2026 Inspired Home Show In Chicago
The International Housewares Association (IHA) has announced the lineup of brands set to exhibit at The Inspired Home Show 2026, a marketplace and networking platform for the home and housewares industry. Set for March 10-12, the 126th edition of the show is expected to draw thousands of retail buyers, product suppliers and industry leaders to […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, News, Northeast
NJFC Names 2026 President’s Scholarship Award After McCaffrey III
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) will be naming its 2026 President’s Scholarship Award after Jim McCaffrey III, president and CEO of McCaffrey’s Markets, in recognition of his decades of service to the grocery industry. The honor was announced at NJFC’s annual holiday celebration Dec. 3 in East Brunswick, New Jersey, a gathering featuring hundreds […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA Calls For Clear Guidelines On State SNAP Purchase Restrictions
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has issued a statement on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program waiver policies, emphasizing the need for clarity as states begin applying new rules that affect what foods can be purchased with SNAP benefits. In recent months, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved waivers that allow certain restrictions on SNAP-eligible […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Finance News, National, News
Winter Holidays Drive Chocolate, Candy Sales As Seasonal Traditions Endure
The winter holiday season remains the most important sales period of the year for chocolate and candy, driven by strong consumer traditions around gifts, entertaining and everyday indulgence, according to new data and seasonal insights from the National Confectioners Association (NCA). NCA research shows that 95 percent of Americans celebrate with chocolate and candy across […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Association News, National, News
FMI, Coalition Ask Federal Reserve To Finalize Debit Card Swipe Fee Reform
FMI – The Food Industry Association joined a coalition of merchant industry organizations representing Main Street businesses nationwide in urging the Federal Reserve to move forward and finalize its long-pending debit card swipe fee reform rule. The rule stems from the Durbin Amendment, enacted in 2010, which directed the Fed to ensure debit card interchange […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, National, News
PLMA Preps For National Store Brands Month In January
Store Brands Month returns Jan. 1 with a nationwide, consumer-focused awareness campaign designed to spotlight the quality, innovation and value of private label products. Created by the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA), the program is an industry-wide initiative that educates consumers about the breadth of store brand products available at supermarkets, club and convenience stores, […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Association News, National, News
FMI Urges Congress To Preserve Pharmacy Operations Through PBM Reform
FMI – The Food Industry Association is reminding Congress that pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, not just transparency, is the only way to preserve the viability of supermarket pharmacies and patient access to them in communities across the country. FMI Chief Public Policy Officer Jennifer Hatcher issued the following statement: “FMI and our members operate […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, News, Superior Grocers, West
CGA Names Superior Grocers’ President, CEO Wardwell As Board Chair
The California Grocers Association has named Richard Wardwell, president and CEO at Superior Grocers, as chairman of its board of directors. Wardwell, who succeeds North State Grocery Chief Administrative Officer Michel LeClerc, will lead the board’s strategy for CGA’s legislative, educational and industry-related programs over the next year. Wardwell spearheads Superior Grocers’ business strategy and […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest, News
Kansas Independents Served Well By Innovation, Creativity With Fresh Foods, Great Service
The Shelby Report of the Midwest recently caught up with Jon McCormick, president and CEO of the Retail Grocers Association of Greater Kansas City, for the latest updates on the grocery industry in Kansas. How is the economy in the state? Unemployment is lower than the national average. That helps our independent retailers in […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
Equitable Food Initiative Commemorates 10th Anniversary, Celebrates 2025 Achievements
Equitable Food Initiative – a workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers and retailers – marked a year of progress in 2025 during which it advanced responsible labor practices, strengthened industry collaboration and drove worker engagement throughout the fresh produce supply chain. EFI also celebrated its 10th year as an independent nonprofit with program […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA Responds To FTC Complaint Alleging Preferential Pricing For Walmart
The National Grocers Association has issued a statement in response to a Federal Trade Commission complaint that alleges preferential pricing and promotional treatment for Walmart. The complaint, part of an FTC enforcement action filed in January, was unsealed Dec. 12 by a judge in response to a request by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, an […]