Several key additions have been announced to the Groceryshop 2025 program, including an AI Test Kitchen program and several C-suite leaders to the mainstage speaker lineup. More than 5,000 senior executives from the retailers, brands and technology companies across the global grocery and CPG ecosystem, representing more than 50 countries, will gather Sept. 28-Oct. 1 […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
PFMA Awards Ridge Scholarships To 21 Students
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has named the 21 recipients of the 2025 Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship, each of whom will receive a one-year, $2,500 award for the 2025-26 academic year. “Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “We’re proud to support these exceptional students […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Michigan Retailers Face Economic Uncertainty Amid Tariffs, Inflation, Dip In Tourists
Michigan retailers are facing a challenging economic environment marked by inflation, tariff-related disruptions and fluctuating consumer behavior, according to Vic Veda, VP of communications with the Michigan Retailers Association. “The best specific data that I have on this topic here really does talk about the impacts of tariffs,” Veda said. “We did a member survey […]
Posted inAssociation News, Food Service News, National, News
NGA, IFDA Begin Partnership For Industry Education
The International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) and the National Grocers Association (NGA) have begun a partnership aimed at strengthening the food distribution industry through shared educational resources and thought leadership. As part of the alliance, NGA will join the 2025 IFDA Solutions Conference – set for Sept. 28-Oct. 1 in Columbus, Ohio – as an […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National, News
FMI Welcomes Tanner As Director, Legal Operations
FMI – The Food Industry Association has named Jessica Tanner as its director of legal operations, where she will serve as a key advisor to the organization on legal operations, regulatory strategy and policy. Specifically, Tanner will work alongside FMI counsel and Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) and FMI leadership to ensure compliance with relevant […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Marketing News, National, News
IGA Partners With NWPB To Boost Watermelon Awareness
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has begun a partnership with the National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) to launch a second-half 2025 shopper marketing and retailer education campaign designed to boost watermelon awareness, drive in-store engagement and support IGA retailers. Kicking off in July, the multimedia campaign leverages IGA’s retail media network, digital circulars and in-store […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National, News
SQFI Appoints Anderson VP, Business Development
The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), a division of FMI – The Food Industry Association, has added Rachel Anderson as VP of business development. Anderson brings more than two decades of leadership in strategic sales, marketing and supply chain operations, enhancing SQFI’s mission to offer food safety and quality certification programs worldwide. “Rachel brings a wealth […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA Leads Charge To Preserve SNAP In Reconciliation Bill
The National Grocers Association (NGA) led the successful effort to curb changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while securing critical pro-growth, pro-Main Street tax provisions that will benefit family-owned independent grocers. NGA shared its appreciation to Congress and President Donald Trump for taking action in the recently passed reconciliation bill to protect America’s […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
NJFC Awards $97,500 In Food Industry Scholarships
The New Jersey Food Council’s (NJFC) Educational Development Scholarship Foundation held a virtual reception with the recipients of $97,500 in scholarships this graduation season to further the next generation of business and food industry leaders. “This is a special celebration of our industry’s students, their dreams and the companies who support them,” said Linda Doherty, […]
Posted inFeature, Association News, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, National, News
Webinar Unpacks Trends From IDDBA 2025
Consumer anxieties, vibrant merchandising and the fast rising influence of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare topped the talking points during a June 12 International Dairy Deli Bakery Association-sponsored webinar, “Digesting All the Trends at IDDBA 2025.” Maeve Webster, president of the Bennington, Vermont-based consultancy Menu Matters, and Mike Kostyo, VP, sifted through what they saw on the show floor to […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National, News
SNAP Incentives, Fresh Innovation And The Role Of Independent Grocers
In June, the independent grocery industry came together in force for the 2025 NGA Fresh Summit in Milwaukee, where fresh food innovation met community commitment. From fresh-forward merchandising strategies to discussions about food safety, traceability and technology, the summit underscored what independent grocers already know – fresh food is not only a driver of growth […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, News, Northeast
Orange May Not Have Lock On Future Shelf Tag Color In Massachusetts
In late May, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced she was eliminating outdated regulations to save businesses and business owners time and money. The change that affects grocers in the commonwealth was the overhaul of unit price disclosure requirements that had not been adjusted since the 1990s. Brian Houghton, SVP of government affairs and communications at […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News, Specialty
Specialty Food Association Names Fancy Food Rising Stars
The Specialty Food Association has selected the inaugural roster of its Fancy Food Rising Stars program for buyers and investors. Recognizing emerging leaders in the specialty food industry age 35 and younger, the Rising Star initiative sought nominations from across the buying and business-financing communities, with SFA making the final selections. They receive complimentary badges […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
FMI, NGA Support EBT Act To Prohibit SNAP Processing Fees
The grocery industry, primarily the National Grocers Association (NGA) and FMI – The Food Industry Association, is again sharing its support for the Ensuring Fee-Free Benefit Transactions (EBT) Act. Bipartisan legislation led by Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-OH) and Congressman Tony Wied (R-WI), the act would prohibit processing fees on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) electronic […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
Foundation For Fresh Produce Appoints Gligorijević Chief Medical Officer
The Foundation for Fresh Produce has named Jelena Gligorijević as chief medical officer, a new position created to expand the influence of the produce industry within the global health and medical communities. Gligorijević is a practicing medical doctor and nutrition specialist with more than three decades of experience in clinical practice, academic instruction and public […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA Fresh Summit 2025 Features Innovation, Industry Insight
The National Grocers Association (NGA) brought together independent grocery leaders from across the country June 16-18 for the NGA Fresh Summit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Over two days of expert-led sessions, store tours and networking, attendees explored strategies to increase profitability in the areas of produce, meat, dairy, deli, bakery and foodservice. The summit opened with […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, News, West
Grocers Bracing For Impact Of Largest Tax Hike In WA’s History
Washington is considered one of the most expensive states in the nation when it comes to the cost of gas, housing and healthcare. It has the fourth highest average grocery prices in the country, and 55 percent of residents face food insecurity. And officials from the Washington Food Industry Association note that grocers and consumers […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Frozen Food, National, News
2 Leaders To Be Inducted Into 2025 NFRA Refrigerated Food Hall Of Fame
Two industry leaders will be inducted into the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association’s (NFRA) Refrigerated Food Hall of Fame during the 2025 NFRA Convention on Oct. 20 at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida. The hall of fame was established in 2010 to recognize those whose passion and leadership have advanced the refrigerated […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA CEO Rallies Industry To ‘Fight for Fresh’
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) gathered fresh produce and floral industry leaders June 9-11 for The Washington Conference. Addressing attendees before they met with more than 185 congressional offices, IFPA CEO Cathy Burns called on the industry to join in the “Fight for Fresh.” “The need to expand our influence, innovate and future proof our industry […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National, News
Independent Grocers Make Their Voices Heard In Washington At NGA’s Fly-In
Every spring, the National Grocers Association’s Fly-In for Fair Competition reminds me of something simple yet powerful – when independent grocers come together and speak with one voice, we can move mountains. The 2025 Fly-In was no exception. More than 125 independent operators, wholesalers and state association partners from 38 states converged on Capitol Hill […]