Gary Huddleston has a rich history in the grocery business, serving nearly 45 years as director of consumer affairs at Kroger and today continuing his service as a grocery industry consultant for the Texas Retailers Association. TRA represents retail companies across Texas, including national, regional, state and main street grocery, mass, home improvement, pharmacy and […]
Category: Association News
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Southwest
Viva Fresh Launches New Website To Celebrate 10th Anniversary
The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) has introduced its new Viva Fresh Produce Expo website as the expo celebrates its 10th anniversary. The 2025 Viva Fresh Expo will take place April 10-12 in Houston, Texas, bringing together produce industry leaders from across North America. Founded in 2015, Viva Fresh has grown into a premier event […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
North Dakota’s Grocers Adapting Amid Economic Shifts
North Dakota’s grocery industry is navigating changes, shaped by population growth, economic shifts and evolving consumer habits, according to John “Jiggs” Dyste, president of the North Dakota Grocers Association. “We only have some 700,000 people in the whole state,” Dyste said. “I think as far as growth, we’re probably in the top five for people […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
IFPA Member Erickson Urges Congress To Tackle Labor, Regulatory, Economic Crises
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is urging Congress to take bipartisan action to support American growers, strengthen food security and maintain U.S. leadership in fresh produce production. Bret Erickson, SVP of business affairs at Texas-based Little Bear Produce, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Feb. 26, representing his company […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Arizona State University Wins NGA Student Case Study Competition
Arizona State University has been named the winner of the 2025 National Grocers Association (NGA) Student Case Study Competition. Organized by the NGA Foundation, the event is a key initiative to foster career growth and position grocery as a top career choice for college students. The competition, which took place at the 2025 NGA Show in […]
Posted inAssociation News, Marketing News, Merchandising News, National
NGA Salutes Creative Choice Awards Winners
The National Grocers Association (NGA), along with sponsoring partners Kellanova and Unilever, celebrated the winners of the annual NGA Creative Choice Awards contest Feb. 25 during the 2025 NGA Show at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Recipients of the awards, which honor the best marketing and merchandising programs in the independent […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
Nugget Markets’ Moretti Wins NGA Best Bagger Championship
The National Grocers Association (NGA) awarded a $10,000 cash prize to Sebastian Moretti of Nugget Markets after he finished first in the Best Bagger Championship on Feb. 24. Sponsored by PepsiCo, the competition took place during the second day of The NGA Show at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. The annual gathering […]
Posted inAssociation News, CERTCO Inc., National
Niemetscheck Named WGA’s Woman Of The Year
Amy Niemetscheck, president and CEO of Wisconsin-based Certco Inc., is the 2025 recipient of the Women Grocers of America (WGA) Woman of the Year Award. Presented at The NGA Show, the award is given to those who exemplify strong leadership qualities and a passion for the independent grocery industry. Honorees must be female professionals with […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National
NFRA Launches First Penguin Leadership Program
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has launched its First Penguin Leadership Program, a leadership development initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. Alongside this milestone, NFRA has unveiled its inaugural class of industry rising stars, a group of professionals poised to shape the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Feature, National
NGA To Build Upon Momentum Of In-Roads On Antitrust Reform, Enforcement
Greg Ferrara, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association, recently took time from his busy schedule to talk with The Shelby Report about the state of the grocery industry and the many challenges facing independents in 2025. While it may be some time before the new administration’s policies begin to have their full […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Food Insecurity, Deserts Remain Issue For Alabama Grocers
Many rural Alabamians lack access to grocery stores, resulting in “food deserts” with limited access to fresh, affordable and nutritious food. In 2024, state leaders hosted two conferences addressing the issue – the National Rural Grocery Initiative and the Feeding Change Conference. Ellie Taylor, president and CEO of the Alabama Grocers Association, presented at both. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
Trig’s Honored With NGA’s Peter J. Larkin Award
The National Grocers Association honored T.A. Solberg Co., or “Trig’s,” with the Peter J. Larkin Community Service Award on Feb. 23 during the opening session of the 2025 NGA Show at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. With a focus on strengthening communities across northern Wisconsin by providing essential resources and support, Trig’s […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, Sendik's
Balistreri Receives NGA’s Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
Ted Balistreri, co-owner of Wisconsin-based Sendik’s Food Markets, received the 2025 National Grocers Association’s (NGA) Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. The annual honor, sponsored by FMS Solutions, recognizes an independent grocer whose vision, leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on the industry. The award, one of the highest distinctions in independent grocery […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
Steady Growth In Economy, Population On Horizon In Arizona
Lisa Bednar was promoted to president of the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance last year, taking the helm April 1. She is the first female president in the 80-plus-year history of AFMA. Bednar was promoted from her role as AFMA senior director of community and education, which she had held since February 2022 and was responsible […]
Posted inDairy News, Association News, National
NGA Offers Recommendations To Help Address Egg Shortage
The National Grocers Association (NGA) sent recommendations to help address the ongoing egg supply shortage in a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins. “NGA members welcome Secretary Rollins’ leadership to address the historic pressure grocers and their customers are facing from record high egg prices and supply challenges,” said NGA President […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Feature, National, Wholesaler/Distributor News
ROFDA Retail Media Network Represents Unparalleled Level Of Cooperation
Retailer Owned Food Distributors and Associates (ROFDA) wholesalers, along with multiple third-party providers, have teamed up to provide a comprehensive suite of retail media network solutions tailored to members’ needs. This includes targeted advertising opportunities, data-driven insights for campaign optimization and integrated e-commerce and fulfillment with collaborative partnerships that enhance brand visibility. “As a coalition […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Southeast
SEPC Names 2025 Vorhees Vision Scholarship Recipients
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) has named this year’s Vorhees Vision Scholarship recipients. The Vorhees Vision Scholarship was created to reward the achievements of young individuals who demonstrate a true entrepreneurial spirit in their lives as they pursue their educational goals. This scholarship is named in honor of the late Terry L. Vorhees, founder and […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Association News, Feature, National
ROFDA Relationships Help Create ‘Community That Thrives On Mutual Success’
The leaders of Retailer Owned Food Distributors and Associates (ROFDA) recognize the power of having access to educational resources and have turned the act of sharing information into an art form. “My peer group is fantastic, and they are readily available to me if I’ve got a situation that I have questions about” said Ray […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
NGA Selects 2025 Creative Choice Award Winners
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has revealed the winners of its annual Creative Choice Awards, which recognize outstanding marketing and merchandising programs from independent grocery retailers across the country. Recipients of the Creative Choice Awards receive national recognition at The NGA Show, set for Feb. 23-25 at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Elects New Board Members During Midwinter Executive Conference
FMI – The Food Industry Association elected new members to its board of directors during the organization’s annual Midwinter Executive Conference. The incoming directors bring a diverse range of expertise from across the food industry to help navigate the rapidly evolving business, economic and political landscape in the years ahead. “FMI’s board of directors serves […]