According to a new survey from the National Confectioners Association (NCA), 95 percent of Americans plan to celebrate the winter holidays with chocolate and candy, reflecting the category’s continued strength as a holiday staple. The “big four” seasonal moments – Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays – remain key for the $54 billion […]
Category: Association News
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, Executive News, News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart SVP Morris To Keynote PLMA Annual Meeting, Leadership Conference
Walmart’s SVP of private brands food, consumables and manufacturing will deliver the keynote address April 15-17 during PLMA’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference. Scott Morris and his team are tasked with positioning Walmart’s private brands, strengthening their value proposition, developing quality core and innovative products and building customer loyalty and holistic cultural support. He […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
DCEO Official Discusses Illinois Grocery Initiative’s Efforts To Strengthen Food Systems
As Illinois continues its efforts to ensure every resident has access to fresh, affordable food, the Illinois Grocery Initiative is leading the way in revitalizing communities and combating food insecurity statewide. Established in 2023, the program takes a multipronged approach to addressing food deserts – areas where residents face barriers to accessing fresh groceries – […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Grocers Face Headwinds Amid Economic Uncertainty In Illinois
The Illinois economy may be “chugging along a little bit,” but uncertainty remains high – and retailers, especially grocers, are feeling the strain. “I think I would call it shaky, but we’re certainly not in a recession,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “But as it relates to retail, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National, News, Snacks Brands
NCA Adds Moss, Brandmeier To Scientific-Regulatory Affairs Team
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has added Julie Moss as VP of food safety and scientific affairs and Sarah Brandmeier as director of nutrition policy and scientific affairs. According to the association, their experience across federal agencies and the food industry will help the $54 billion confectionery industry navigate a complex regulatory landscape. “It is […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, Grocery Research, National, News
NFRA Report Highlights Frozen, Refrigerated Foods’ Role In Cutting Food Waste
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has released its 2025 Food Waste Insights Report, detailing how reducing food loss across the cold chain can deliver financial, operational and reputational benefits for manufacturers, retailers and distributors. The report reframes food waste as a business opportunity, showing that prevention improves margins, strengthens retailer trust and […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National, News
NFRA Report: Families Can Save $1.5K Annually By Reducing Food Waste
According to a new report from the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA), the average U.S. family discards $1,500 in groceries annually, contributing to $382 billion in surplus food generated each year nationwide. Utilizing data from the USDA and ReFED, the NFRA’s 2025 Food Waste Insights Report highlights that frozen and refrigerated foods are […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest, News
MGA Names Minnesota Grown Retailers Of The Year
The Minnesota Grocers Association, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown program, has named eight retailers as 2025-26 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year winners. Created by the agriculture department, the program promotes products grown and raised in Minnesota. For more than 40 years, it has connected consumers with local farmers, markets […]