The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has submitted comments to the National Organic Standards Board highlighting priority issues for the organic fresh produce sector. The comments were in response to a feedback request from NOSB’s Spring 2025 Work Agenda. Developed in consultation with the association’s organics committee, the comments emphasize the need for practical, science-based […]
Category: Association News
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National, Wholesaler/Distributor News
ROFDA Names Deuschle New President, CEO
Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates (ROFDA) has named Mark Deuschle its next president and CEO. Deuschle succeeds Jeff Pedersen, who announced in January his plans to step down after the organization’s spring conference to join Alliance Retail Group, where he has been appointed chief customer officer. With more than 30 years of experience in […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National, News
Hanson To Direct NGA’s Education, Insights Programs
The National Grocers Association (NGA) shared that Kelly Hanson, former project director with the NGA Foundation, has become its director of education and insights. “We’re excited for Kelly to begin her new role at NGA, where she brings a wealth of experience and expertise,” said Jonathan Downey, NGA’s chief operating officer and SVP. “With a […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Festival Foods, Midwest, News
Festival Foods Exec Named 2025 FMI Asset Protection Rising Star
FMI – Food Industry Association presented Parker Griebel, asset protection assistant director for Festival Foods, with the 2025 FMI Asset Protection Rising Star Award at this year’s Asset Protection & Grocery Resilience Conference in St. Louis. The award recognizes emerging leaders who demonstrate initiative, leadership and impact in the asset protection field. “What truly sets […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
NGA Foundation Advisory Group To Assist In Independent Grocers’ SNAP EBT Upgrades
The National Grocers Association (NGA) Foundation has welcomed a new advisory committee to help promote and expand its assistance to independent grocers in modernizing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems, including implementing SNAP Online and EBT chip card functionality. This initiative, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Corporate Store News, National, News
Grocery Industry Reacts To SNAP Waiver Requests Across The U.S.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun have submitted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) waiver requests to the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the aim of banning the purchase of soft drinks and candy with the benefits. State governors can ask for a waiver from certain requirements of the SNAP program. “Banning […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southwest
Viva Fresh Concludes Sold-Out Anniversary Expo With Record Attendance
The 2025 Viva Fresh Expo marked its 10th anniversary April 11-13 with a sold-out show floor and 2,760 attendees, including 438 buyers, at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Houston. The show opened with a keynote speech from José Hernández, a former migrant farm worker who became a NASA astronaut. More than 100 people waited in […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, National, News
PLMA Re-Elects Board Chair, Welcomes New Directors
The Private Label Manufactures Association (PLMA) re-elected Kristal Sevcik, VP of business development at AmeriQual Group, as chair of its board of directors. Sevcik, who assumed the position in 2024, will serve a second one-year term. The members of the association also accepted the slate proposed by the nominating committee – Jeanine Antiporek of Refresco […]