The Missouri Grocers Association (MGA) and the Retail Grocers Association of Greater Kansas City (RGA) have united to form the Midwest Retail and Grocery Alliance (MRGA). The move strengthens the collective voice of the grocery and retail community across Missouri and Kansas, combining decades of experience, advocacy and service to better support independent grocers, retailers […]
Category: Association News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
Independent Grocers Gather For 2025 NGA Executive Conference
The National Grocers Association (NGA) kicked off its 2025 Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit on Oct. 20 in Washington, D.C., bringing together independent grocers and industry leaders from across the country to examine trends, gain insights and network. This year’s conference kicked off with the association’s volunteer leaders holding a series of committee and […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA State Of The Industry Highlights Advocacy Progress, Innovations, Opportunities
Following up from a commitment made a year ago to Fight for Fresh on behalf of its members and the worldwide fruit, vegetable and floral community, International Fresh Produce Association CEO Cathy Burns shared how the organization delivered on that promise in the 12 months since the last Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show. During […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
Record Buyers, Big Ideas Define IFPA’s Global Produce, Floral Show
The International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show has come to an end after three days devoted to fresh produce and floral. “The Global Show brought out the best in worldwide fresh fruit, vegetable and flower innovations this year,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns. “United by our bold beliefs and relentless advocacy, […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA, Food Industry Groups Seek USDA Clarity On Penny Shortage, SNAP Rounding
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has joined with other food-industry associations in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue immediate guidance to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-authorized retailers amid the continuing national penny shortage. In a joint letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the groups asked the USDA to clarify how retailers can lawfully manage […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National, News
Women Grocers Of America Symposium Energizes, Inspires In Atlanta
The Women Grocers of America Symposium has always been a highlight of our industry’s (and my personal) calendar, but this year’s gathering carried a special energy. Over the course of two days at the Atlanta headquarters of the Coca-Cola Co., a premier sponsor of WGA, it became clear that the independent grocery industry is not […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest, News
Economy Stable, Food Retailers Strong In Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s grocery industry is holding steady, but independent grocers are closely watching labor, inflation, consumer confidence and regulatory and legislative issues, according to Mike Semmann, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. “I think the economy right now is fairly stable in Wisconsin,” Semmann said. “From an industry perspective, we’re hoping to make sure […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
IGA Adds Bitcoin Access To Independent Grocery Stores
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has partnered with Bitcoin Depot to add its kiosks throughout independent grocery stores across the country, extending the company’s footprint and allowing more consumers the opportunity to buy Bitcoin in a familiar retail setting. “This partnership with IGA helps us increase our reach to provide easy and secure access to […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Association News, Food Service News, National, News
FMI Study Highlights Grocery Stores’ Role In Convenient, Affordable Dining
FMI – The Food Industry Association has released “The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2025” report, revealing a significant shift in dining habits as consumers are increasingly choosing deli-prepared foods in place of restaurant meals, with this share more than doubling from 12 percent in 2017 to 28 percent in 2025. Many shoppers also are blending […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
The NGA Show Introduces Fresh Pitches Networking Experience
The NGA Show has introduced Fresh Pitches, a new one-to-one networking opportunity debuting at the 2026 event, Feb. 1-3 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Designed to foster high-impact connections between sponsors and independent grocery retailers, Fresh Pitches will offer a fast-paced, curated speed networking experience. Fresh Pitches centers around short, high-impact conversations that […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
PFMA Highlights Legislation, Regulation Issues At Legislative Conference
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) hosted its 2025 Fall Legislative Conference on Oct. 7-8 at the Hershey Country Club, bringing together industry leaders, lawmakers and policy experts for two days of dialogue, legislative updates and connection. A highlight of the event was a keynote address from Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, who reflected on […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, News, Northeast
NJFC To Discuss Technology’s Role In Asset Protection At Conference
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) is partnering with the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association (NJRMA), the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) and the Delaware Food Industry Council (DFIC) to address security issues in the food industry at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Conference and Expo. Set for Oct. 29 at Forsgate Country Club in […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Independent Store News, Northeast
Wiscovitch, Garcia Honored With FIA 2025 Award, Philanthropic Achievement
The Food Industry Alliance of New York (FIA) will honor Zulema Wiscovitch and Joe Garcia, co-CEOs of Associated Supermarket Group (ASG), with the Award for Philanthropic Achievement on Oct. 21 during the FIA Annual Gala. Since 2021, FIA has recognized the involvement of the retail food industry across New York and the surrounding tri-state area. […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA Adds CTW Innovation Lounge At Executive Conference, Public Policy Summit
The National Grocers Association (NGA) is adding the Circle the Wagons (CTW) Innovation Lounge as a new feature to this year’s Executive Conference & Public Policy Summit, set to take place Oct. 20-22 in Washington, D.C. The CTW Innovation Lounge will be open to all attendees, providing a space for networking and the discovery of […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show Returns To CA
The International Fresh Produce Association’s CEO Cathy Burns and 2025 board chair Tammy DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter, held a press briefing in early September ahead of its major gathering for the year, the Global Produce & Floral Show, Oct. 16-18. This year, the event is back in Anaheim, California. A couple of changes are […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Guest Contributors, IGA, National, News
Column: Why Are There So Many Food Deserts In America?
By Ashley Page, VP of marketing and public affairs for the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) Most Americans, and certainly those of us in the grocery business, have grown used to seeing a bounty of food in our local grocery store. Rows of vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and dairy and a huge variety […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
NWA Leaders Visit Washington, D.C. For Ag Labor Discussions
Representatives from the National Watermelon Association (NWA) recently advocated in Washington, D.C., for improvements to the U.S. watermelon industry. NWA representatives Bob Gibson, Jordan Carter, Greg Leger, John Lapide and George Szczepanski lobbied for legislative initiatives and industry priorities, particularly focused on agriculture labor reform. “As both a grower and as president of the National […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Association News, Dairy News, National, News
Organic Trade Association Recognizes Straus For Life’s Work
The Organic Trade Association has honored Albert Straus, founder of Straus Family Creamery and a second-generation organic dairy farmer, with its Organic Lifetime Achievement Award. A pioneer in organic dairy and sustainable agriculture, Straus has led efforts to advance carbon-neutral dairy farming models that are shaping the future of organic food and farming. Straus has […]
Posted inAssociation News, Feature, National, News
FMI Report Says Grocery Shoppers Are Resilient, With Aspirations To Eat Well
FMI – The Food Industry Association surveyed nearly 1,600 shoppers in late July to gather intelligence for the second installment of 2025 of its U.S. Grocery Shopping Trends report, which the association has been generating for 51 years. Subtitled “New Routines,” the report “examines the logic behind grocery shopping or the notion of what is […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Association News, National, News
Study: SNAP Restrictions Could Cost Retailers $1.6B To Implement
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), National Grocers Association and FMI – The Food Industry Association have released the “SNAP Restrictions Impact Analysis,” which estimates that the costs food retailers will face under proposed restrictions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will total about $1.6 billion. That amount is equal to 1.9 percent […]