The National Grocers Association (NGA) and Feeding America held a congressional briefing Sept. 17 on the necessity of maintaining SNAP Choice throughout the United States. Speaking were experts on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including an independent grocery retailer, a person with lived experience on SNAP and a food bank advisor. “SNAP Choice ensures […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, West
CGA Educational Foundation Reaches $10M Scholarship Milestone
The California Grocers Association Educational Foundation has reached a milestone of $10 million in college scholarship funds for grocery industry employees and their dependents. Since its inception in 1998, CGAEF has raised $10 million to award 6,571 scholarships to California Grocers Association member company employees and their dependents in pursuit of a higher education. For […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Shopping Experience, Quality Products Helping Missouri Independents Compete
The Shelby Report of the Midwest recently visited with Dan Shaul, executive director of the Missouri Grocers Association, to catch up on the grocery industry in the Show Me State. What are some of the top issues impacting grocers in Missouri this year? “Like other states around the country, Missouri is experiencing many of the […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Accepting Entries For Annual Creative Choice Awards
The National Grocers Association (NGA) is accepting entries for its 2025 Creative Choice Awards, recognizing the leading marketing and merchandising programs of independent grocery retailers from the past year. NGA’s Creative Choice Awards are sponsored by Kellanova and Unilever. Entries are being accepted online here. The following are the categories for the 2025 awards (category details […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Southeast, The Kroger Co., Whole Foods
Attracting Workers Remains Challenge For Grocers Across Kentucky
Labor continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing the commonwealth’s grocers, according to Tod Griffin, executive director of the Kentucky Grocers & Convenience Store Association. “The one constant theme is they cannot find enough workers, especially in those skilled areas such as meat cutters and drivers to transport goods,” Griffin said. “They have […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Feature, National, The Kroger Co.
IFPA Officials Preview Fresh Produce & Floral Show
“Make the most of these three days in October.” That’s the advice of Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), referring to the 2024 Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show, coming up Oct. 17-19 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. “We’re really excited to be in Georgia this year after […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, Dairy News, Deli News, Executive News, National
IDDBA Combines Teams, Promotes Atkins
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) has combined its marketing and membership teams and promoted Whitney Atkins as VP of the newly formed marketing and membership department. “Since joining the association, Whitney has led marketing efforts that have produced event and membership growth, while working hard for the association’s endeavors to support the industry […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
Driving Fresh Produce Sales With SNAP
At a time when access to nutritious food is critical, independent grocers play a pivotal role in serving diverse communities and promoting healthy eating habits. The National Grocers Association Foundation Technical Assistance Center hosted a recent webinar that delved into innovative strategies and best practices for increasing fresh produce sales among SNAP recipients, while simultaneously […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
Association Executive Director Says Arkansas Economy Moving In Positive Direction
Sales tax collections and metro population totals both have been up in Arkansas over the past year, according to Steve Goode, executive director of the Arkansas Grocers & Retail Merchants Association in Little Rock. “The overall economy is doing slightly better than a year ago,” he said. Sales tax collections are up by 1.8 percent […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Store Count Growing – But More Needed – In Financially Strong Iowa
At its March meeting, Iowa’s Revenue Estimating Conference projected a 2.2 percent decrease in revenue in fiscal 2024 versus fiscal 2023. But the panel also forecasted increased revenue in FY 2025 and 2026, at 0.7 percent and 1 percent respectively, noted Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA). “Despite the slight revenue […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, Association News, The Kroger Co., West
Retail Theft Reform Solutions Emerging In California
With less than a month to go, officials at the California Grocers Association have been busy preparing for their annual CGA Strategic Conference. The focus of the Palm Springs event, which runs from Sept. 29-Oct. 1, is emerging technologies. From informative educational sessions to retailer/supplier meetings, the three-day conference will give attendees the opportunity to […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Retail Grocery Industry Across New York Undergoing Recalibration
It has taken a while, but the grocery industry in New York is beginning to return to normal levels. While this is positive news, grocers in the state still face some formidable challenges. Mike Durant, president and CEO of the Food Industry Alliance of New York, pointed out that grocers in the state are experiencing similar […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Traceability Resource Center Gives Independent Grocers Food Safety Boost
September is National Food Safety Education Month, a perfect opportunity for independent grocers to pay extra attention to and raise awareness of an issue that’s already a top priority in their daily business. This boost in awareness is particularly timely in the wake of a recent listeria outbreak affecting deli meats and the presence of […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National
NGA Adds Cutler, Longhofer To Leadership Team
The National Grocers Association has welcomed two recent additions to its leadership team – David Cutler as VP of media relations and public affairs, and Dean Longhofer as senior manager for membership and data management. Cutler brings extensive association experience, most recently serving as director of public affairs and strategic engagement for the National Association […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, Harps Food Stores, National
Independent Grocers Must Always Keep Looking Forward
NGA’s slogan is “At the heart of the community,” reflecting the important position that independent grocery stores have in so many communities around the country. I’d go out on a limb and suggest a secondary tagline, “Always looking forward,” because a significant part of NGA’s mission is to help its members prepare for whatever lies […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Groceryshop, IGA Partner To Empower Independent Grocers
Groceryshop has begun a partnership with the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA). The partnership will foster greater collaboration within the CPG and grocery industry while expanding the event content to a broader audience. Groceryshop, taking place Oct. 7-9 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, brings together more than 5,000 senior executives from various retailers, brands and technology […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI: Consumers Seek Deals To Address Inflation-Related Impacts On Food Prices
Consumers are adapting their shopping strategies to include more flexibility as they attempt to control their grocery spending heading into the fall, according to the latest survey conducted by FMI – The Food Industry Association and The Hartman Group. The report, “U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends: Return to Routine,” provides a crucial snapshot of how shoppers are finding value and […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
TGCSA’s Ikard Recaps State Legislative Session, Leading With Swipe Fees Fight
The Shelby Report of the Southeast recently visited with Rob Ikard, president and CEO of the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association (TGCSA), to learn more about the legislation and public policy updates impacting retailers in the Volunteer State. Calling the 2024 legislative session “quite busy,” Ikard said TGCSA spent many long hours advancing the […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, UNFI
NGA, UNFI Release FDA Traceability Guide For Members
The National Grocers Association (NGA) and United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) have released a Step-by-Step Guide to FDA Traceability. This essential resource, a complimentary benefit available to all NGA members, was written and designed to help independent grocers achieve compliance with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods” […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
EBT Chip Cards: What Grocers And POS Providers Need To Know
In an effort to modernize EBT and reduce fraud, multiple states are planning to migrate their EBT cards from magnetic stripes to EMV chip cards. Starting with California and Oklahoma, states are planning to issue chip cards beginning as soon as August 2024. It is important that POS systems are tested to ensure uninterrupted processing […]