The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has appointed Carl Saviers, divisional VP for the central region at EG America, to its board of directors. Saviers brings extensive leadership experience in the convenience retail sector and a deep understanding of operations, strategy and industry trends that will benefit PFMA and its members. In his role at […]
Category: Association News
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southeast
SEPC Seeks Nominations For The Unseen Hero Award
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) is accepting nominations for The Unseen Hero Award, a special recognition honoring those who work behind the scenes to keep the produce industry moving forward. Whether in growing, shipping, packing, retail or foodservice, these unsung heroes make a lasting impact without seeking the spotlight. Award criteria Nominees should exemplify: Dedication […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
NJFC Lauds Signing Of Organized Retail Crime Omnibus Bill
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) expressed its appreciation to Gov. Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew Platkin for the support of a comprehensive bill to combat organized retail crime and protect retail businesses and its workforce. Murphy signed the bill, A-4755/S-3587, on April 1. The legislation targets the leaders of criminal enterprises that are […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA Encourages Science-Based Standards To National Organic Standards Board
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 […]
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 […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National, News
AFFI Leads Frozen Food Advocacy At 2025 Government Action Summit
Frozen food business leaders came together April 1-3 for advocacy and Congressional outreach during the American Frozen Food Institute’s (AFFI) Government Action Summit in Washington, D.C. Attendees spoke with their Congressional offices about the benefits of frozen food, addressing how it is a solution in nutrition access. Freezing locks in nutrition and flavor, which helps the […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, News, West
USC Marshall Enhances Fall 2025 Food Industry Executive Program
USC Marshall Executive Education, in collaboration with the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC), has revamped its Food Industry Executive Program (FIEP) for fall 2025. The four-day offering is designed to equip food industry executives in retail, manufacturing, grocery and supply chain sectors with advanced leadership strategies, market insights and a competitive edge in an […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Guest Contributors, National, News
NGA Scores Big Legislative Wins For Independent Grocers
At the time of this writing, the first 100 days of the new congressional session are wrapping up, and the National Grocers Association (NGA) has secured major victories that will ease regulatory burdens, promote fair competition and protect independent grocers nationwide. From advocating for antitrust enforcement to blocking costly energy regulations, NGA’s efforts are making […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Grocery Industry – Particularly Independents – Struggling In Ohio
Ohio’s economy in 2024 presented a mixed bag of progress and challenges, setting the stage for a potentially evolving grocery landscape in 2025. The state’s grocery economy experienced a downward trend in 2024, as “SNAP benefits decreased, prices for all things (not just groceries) went up, labor challenges continued and more food deserts were created […]
Posted inAssociation News, Feature, National, News
FMI Expert: Helping Customers With Health Can Yield Loyalty For Stores
Rick Stein, VP of fresh foods for FMI – The Food Industry Association, took time out during the association’s recent Midwinter Executive Conference in Marco Island, Florida, to share some insights from its bountiful research. How bountiful? Each year, FMI publishes “State of” and “Speaks” reports that outline what’s going on in the food industry […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, National, News
PLMA Inducts Private Label Hall Of Fame Class Of 2025
The Private Label Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place during the PLMA 2025 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. The class consists of nine men and women who were honored in one of three categories: Private Brand Champion Thomas Becker, who most recently served as director of proprietary brands, Circle K; John […]
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National, News
NFRA Convention To Spotlight Innovation, Leadership, Industry Growth
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has opened registration for this year’s NFRA Convention, taking place Oct. 18-21 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida. More than 1,700 anticipated attendees will conduct more than 6,500 business meetings over the course of three days. Of particular interest: Registration now open: The NFRA Convention […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, News, Southwest
North Texas Retailers Keeping Pace With Population Influx
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex’s economic and demographic boom has cultivated a $20 billion grocery industry, prompting grocers to innovate and drawing new retailers to the area. However, it’s not merely growth; DFW is experiencing significant diversification. The influx of people from other states and countries brings a multitude of new tastes and expectations, creating an […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National, News
FMI Report: Meat Sales High As Americans View Meat As Part Of Healthy Lifestyle
Meat sales hit a record high of $104.6 billion in 2024, pounds sold increased 2.3 percent compared to 2023, and consumers on average buy meat more than once per week (Circana) – keeping meat the largest fresh department in grocery, according to the 20th annual “Power of Meat” report released March 24 at the Annual […]