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 […]
Category: Association News
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 […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Association News, Feature, National, News
Beyond Organic: CEO On Redefining Health, Industry Honesty
Karen Howard has served as CEO and executive director of Organic & Natural Health Association in Washington, D.C., since its inception in 2014. She has championed causes such as defining the term “natural,” promoting quality manufacturing, ensuring traceable sourcing, advancing regenerative farming, advocating for sustainable practices, addressing nutrient deficiencies and propelling vitamin D research and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Feature, National, News, Private Label Brands
FMI Committees Doing Important Work On Private Brands, AI, Asset Protection
Doug Baker, VP of industry relations for FMI – The Food Industry Association, spoke to The Shelby Report during the association’s recent Midwinter Executive Conference on Marco Island, Florida. Baker touched on three topics that are of interest to FMI’s membership and the food industry as a whole – private brands, technology advancements and asset […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
NGA Introduces Fair Markets, Fresh Choices Advocacy Campaign
During The NGA Show in Las Vegas, the National Grocers Association (NGA) introduced Fair Markets, Fresh Choices, an advocacy campaign that spotlights and demands a level playing field in the food retail industry for independent grocers. Independent community supermarkets – many of them family or employee owned – are the backbone of neighborhoods across America, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Market Profile, Midwest
Nebraska Grocery Industry Faces Challenges, Opportunities Amid Economic Shifts
Nebraska’s grocery industry is at a crossroads as economic conditions shift and legislative policies evolve. Ansley Fellers, executive director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association, highlighted for The Shelby Report key concerns facing independent grocers, including competition from dollar stores, rising labor costs and wholesale pricing challenges. Nebraska’s economy is experiencing modest growth, influenced by […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National, News
FMI Report: Seafood Sales Struggle Despite Perception As Healthy Option
FMI – The Food Industry Association released its Power of Seafood 2025 report during Seafood Expo North America, which runs March 16-18 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The seventh edition of the report explores shifting consumer attitudes, purchasing behaviors and untapped opportunities for the seafood department despite lackluster category performance. The reasons for the […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
NJFC Prepares For Trade Relations Conference, Shares Speaker Lineup
For its annual Trade Relations Conference on April 8 at Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino, The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) is presenting a lineup of industry experts to speak on the theme “Emerging Technologies & Emerging Opportunities.” The conference will feature a chat with Joe Fantozzi, president of Allegiance Retail Services (ARS), that […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Wakefern, West
Wakefern’s Stigers Named USC’s 2025 Food Industry Executive Of The Year
The USC Marshall School of Business Food Industry Management (FIM) program will honor Mike Stigers, president of Wakefern Food Corp., as its 2025 Food Industry Executive of the Year. Each year, the award is presented to an executive who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and a strong commitment to education. Stigers also will serve as the […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National, News
NFRA Report: How Frozen Foods Support Evolving Cooking Habits
The way Americans cook is evolving, and the freezer aisle is leading the charge. Once seen as just a place for convenience meals, today’s frozen options provide fresh-tasting ingredients, chef-inspired meals and budget-friendly solutions for every lifestyle. And with March as Frozen Food Month, it’s a great time to explore everything it has to offer. […]