Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News

IGA Debuts Community Development Program To Address Food Desert Crisis

The Independent Grocers Alliance has launched IGA Community Development, a new initiative designed to expand access to fresh, affordable food in underserved urban and rural communities across the U.S. The new area of focus for IGA involves matching funding from communities, nonprofits and other developmental entities with independent retailers. This allows those retailers to open […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News

NGA Shares 2026 Creative Choice Award Winners

The National Grocers Association (NGA) has shared the winners of the 2026 Creative Choice Awards, recognizing top marketing and merchandising programs in the independent grocery industry. The awards, supported by Cheez-It and Unilever, will be presented during The NGA Show, which runs Feb. 1-3 at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. A Unilever […]

Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National, News

NFRA Announces Second Class Of First Penguin Leadership Program

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 […]

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 […]

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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 […]