Gabe Bowling, courtesy clerk at the Food City in Louisa, Kentucky, recently won the Kentucky Best Bagger competition, receiving a $250 cash prize along with an all-expenses paid trip in February to Las Vegas, where he will compete for the national title during The NGA Show. An 18-year-old senior at Lawerence County High School, Bowling […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA Names Wolkwitz Director Of Membership Engagement, Growth
The National Grocers Association has promoted Kari Wolkwitz to the newly created position of director of membership engagement and growth. In her new role, Wolkwitz will oversee engagement strategies for NGA’s retailer and wholesaler members, leading initiatives to drive participation in association events and share groups and strengthen member involvement in advocacy efforts. She also […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCSA Elects Three New Members To Board Of Directors
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has elected three industry leaders to its board of directors. Cody Heinz with Bell Flavors & Fragrances joins the board for the first time; Peter Kempton Jr. of b.a. Sweetie Candy Company has been re-elected for a second three-year term; and Brandon Sagotz from Ferrara Candy Co. returns after […]
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National, News
NGA Petitions EPA To Reconsider HFC Management Rule Regulations
The National Grocers Association has petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to revise its Hydrofluorocarbon Management Rule, citing what it maintains are unrealistic timelines, excessive compliance costs and regulatory requirements that exceed congressional mandates. NGA’s petition argues that the HFC Management Rule imposes several impractical and overly burdensome requirements on food retailers, including drastically increasing […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
Coalition Launches Campaign For Beer, Wine Sales In Maryland Grocery Stores
The Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition has launched a campaign to advocate for legalizing beer and wine sales in grocery stores. Maryland is one of just four U.S. states where grocery stores can’t sell alcohol, though the coalition said significant momentum has grown to pass legislation addressing the issue in 2026. “It’s past time that we […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, News, Northeast
Council President: Season Of Change Afoot Across Maryland Grocery Market
The Maryland grocery market is in a season of change, according to Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Food Industry Council. “New stores have opened, but many have closed this year as well,” said Locklair, who also serves as president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores. “Food is […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, Midwest, News
PLMA’s 2025 Private Label Trade Show Draws 14K Attendees To Chicago
PLMA‘s 2025 Annual Private Label Trade Show, held Nov. 16-18 in Chicago, drew more than 14,000 attendees, including retailers, exhibitors, visitors and industry professionals from across the private label and retail sectors. The show featured hundreds of thousands of food and nonfood products across 3,000 booths with more than 1,900 exhibitors representing 63 countries. It […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Grocery Research, National, News
Winter Holiday Confectionery Demand Remains Strong, NCA Reports
According to a new survey from the National Confectioners Association (NCA), 95 percent of Americans plan to celebrate the winter holidays with chocolate and candy, reflecting the category’s continued strength as a holiday staple. The “big four” seasonal moments – Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays – remain key for the $54 billion […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, Executive News, News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart SVP Morris To Keynote PLMA Annual Meeting, Leadership Conference
Walmart’s SVP of private brands food, consumables and manufacturing will deliver the keynote address April 15-17 during PLMA’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference. Scott Morris and his team are tasked with positioning Walmart’s private brands, strengthening their value proposition, developing quality core and innovative products and building customer loyalty and holistic cultural support. He […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
DCEO Official Discusses Illinois Grocery Initiative’s Efforts To Strengthen Food Systems
As Illinois continues its efforts to ensure every resident has access to fresh, affordable food, the Illinois Grocery Initiative is leading the way in revitalizing communities and combating food insecurity statewide. Established in 2023, the program takes a multipronged approach to addressing food deserts – areas where residents face barriers to accessing fresh groceries – […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Grocers Face Headwinds Amid Economic Uncertainty In Illinois
The Illinois economy may be “chugging along a little bit,” but uncertainty remains high – and retailers, especially grocers, are feeling the strain. “I think I would call it shaky, but we’re certainly not in a recession,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “But as it relates to retail, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National, News, Snacks Brands
NCA Adds Moss, Brandmeier To Scientific-Regulatory Affairs Team
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has added Julie Moss as VP of food safety and scientific affairs and Sarah Brandmeier as director of nutrition policy and scientific affairs. According to the association, their experience across federal agencies and the food industry will help the $54 billion confectionery industry navigate a complex regulatory landscape. “It is […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, Grocery Research, National, News
NFRA Report Highlights Frozen, Refrigerated Foods’ Role In Cutting Food Waste
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has released its 2025 Food Waste Insights Report, detailing how reducing food loss across the cold chain can deliver financial, operational and reputational benefits for manufacturers, retailers and distributors. The report reframes food waste as a business opportunity, showing that prevention improves margins, strengthens retailer trust and […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National, News
NFRA Report: Families Can Save $1.5K Annually By Reducing Food Waste
According to a new report from the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA), the average U.S. family discards $1,500 in groceries annually, contributing to $382 billion in surplus food generated each year nationwide. Utilizing data from the USDA and ReFED, the NFRA’s 2025 Food Waste Insights Report highlights that frozen and refrigerated foods are […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest, News
MGA Names Minnesota Grown Retailers Of The Year
The Minnesota Grocers Association, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown program, has named eight retailers as 2025-26 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year winners. Created by the agriculture department, the program promotes products grown and raised in Minnesota. For more than 40 years, it has connected consumers with local farmers, markets […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
PFMA Celebrates Renewed Funding For Organized Retail Crime Unit
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association is celebrating the commonwealth’s continued investment in the fight against organized retail crime. The 2025-26 state budget includes another $2.7 million for the Organized Retail Crime Unit in the Office of Attorney General Dave Sunday. This marks the second consecutive year of dedicated funding, following the initial appropriation in the […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
Maryland Retailers Alliance Forecasts Stable Holiday Shopping Season
The Maryland Retailers Alliance has released its annual holiday sales outlook following the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) nationwide forecast. The NRF anticipates U.S. holiday retail sales will grow between 3.7-4.2 percent this season, surpassing $1 trillion for the first time. The national projection, coupled with Maryland-specific economic indicators, suggests a holiday season marked by steady […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Frozen Food, Grocery Research, National, News
Pilot Program Highlights Benefits Of Frozen Produce
Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and Instacart have released the findings of a pilot program that expanded access to fruits and vegetables for families with lower incomes by including frozen produce as an option. Conducted as an extension of PHA’s flagship Good Food at Home program, the effort […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA Calls For Momentum After Government Reopening
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) welcomes Congress’s overdue action to reopen the federal government, which helps restore stability to the essential programs that sustain America’s food system. “Congressional gridlock put 48 million Americans at risk of losing access to fresh fruits and vegetables. With government operations restored, critical nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, West
WAFC Adds 2 Executives To Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has appointed Alice Chen, CEO of 99 Ranch Market, and Mike Molinar, president and CEO of PAQ Inc., to its board of directors. Chen has led Asian grocery chain 99 Ranch Market since 2018, following a decade as its CFO. Under her leadership, the company has evolved into a […]