The National Grocers Association (NGA) has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), highlighting critical gaps in healthy benefit card access in the Medicare Advantage (MA) supplemental benefits for the chronically ill (SSBCI) food program. In its comments, NGA underscores the exclusion of independent grocers from healthy benefit cards and calls […]
Category: Association News
PFMA Conference Highlights Food Industry Trends
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) welcomed industry leaders for its annual conference May 7-8 at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square. “It’s always a joy to unite our new members with long-standing partners for a rich blend of connection and education,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “This year, we grew our […]
IGA Brings Back Summer Grill Giveaway Sweepstakes
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has announced the return of the Celebrate Summer Grill Giveaway Sweepstakes. The Celebrate Summer Grill Giveaway will select three shoppers to win a dream grill of their choosing (valued at up to $1,000). Consumers can enter up to once a day at iga.com. Running through June 25, the giveaway is sponsored by The […]
Bottled Water Outsells Carbonated Soft Drinks For Eighth Year In A Row
Bottled water has retained its title as America’s favorite packaged drink, outselling carbonated soft drinks (by volume) for the eighth year in a row, new data from the Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC) shows. Bottled water’s total volume sold in 2023 was 15.94 billion gallons, compared to carbonated soft drinks, which sold 11.84 billion gallons. Bottled […]
NJFC Honors Industry Leaders At ‘Night Of Distinction’
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) honored three industry leaders May 15 during its annual “Night of Distinction” reception. The event drew more than 500 guests, including prominent food industry executives across the region. Additionally, Anthony Calandra of Calandra’s Bakery of Newark spearheaded a drive to bring in scholarship donations to benefit the NJFC Educational […]
Independent Grocers Building Strong Customer Relationships In Connecticut
One expert recently dubbed Connecticut’s grocery industry “a battleground of competition,” referring to the number of retailers in this market brandishing competitive pricing strategies to attract shoppers and online retail giants that are leveraging convenience with click-and-collect options. Price and convenience are valid drivers, especially given the economic pressure facing residents. But as independent retailers […]
NGA Wraps Successful Fly-In For Fair Competition
The National Grocers Association (NGA) concluded its annual Fly-In for Fair Competition May 22 with attendees participating in 200 critical meetings with decision makers on Capitol Hill. “Over the last two days, independent grocers made their voices heard on Capitol Hill by advocating for antitrust enforcement, SNAP choice and credit card swipe fee reform, all […]
Independent Grocer Testifies On Protecting SNAP Choice
Michael Gay, owner and single-store operator of Food Fresh in rural Evans County, Georgia, testified before Congress May 22, warning that limiting SNAP choice would undermine the program’s effectiveness, create confusion for participants and impose a costly bureaucratic burden on small businesses nationwide. “Restricting eligible items to those approved by the USDA will quickly drive […]
FMI Urges Congress To Enact Credit Card Competition Act
FMI – The Food Industry Association is asking Congress to pass the bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act. FMI’s Chief Public Policy Officer Jennifer Hatcher issued the following statement on the Credit Card Competition Act in response to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Policy’s hearing, titled “Protecting Consumers’ […]
WAFC Elects 2024-25 Board Of Directors’ Leadership Team
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) recently elected its new board of directors’ leadership team at its annual convention held in Aurora, Colorado. Nancy Lebold, CEO of New Seasons Market in Portland, Oregon, has been appointed as president and chairperson of the board of directors. She takes over the position from Paul Gianetto, SVP […]
NGA’s Fly-In For Fair Competition Begins In Washington, D.C.
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has begun its annual Fly-In for Fair Competition in Washington, D.C. This event mobilizes independent grocers to engage with members of Congress, addressing critical issues such as antitrust reform and enforcement, SNAP Choice enhancements and the reform of credit card routing to reduce exorbitant swipe fees. “The Fly-In for Fair […]
New Ad Campaign Calls For Antitrust Enforcement
The Main Street Competition Coalition has launched an ad campaign calling on Washington to crack down on big businesses ignoring the nation’s antitrust laws and hurting small businesses and farmers. Digital video ads are appearing on Connected TV (CTV) platforms, audio ads will run on Spotify, and display ads have been placed on Politico and social media outlets. Here […]
WAFC Taps Three Industry Leaders For Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has elected three industry leaders – Sean Heryet, Chris Hooks and Kelly Mullin – to serve on its board of directors. “We are thrilled and incredibly honored to have this group of extraordinary industry leaders join the WAFC board of directors,” said Nancy Lebold, CEO of New Seasons […]
IFPA’s Washington Conference Looks To Influence Public Policy
IFPA’s 2024 Washington Conference, taking place from June 10-12, is a unique opportunity in a pivotal election year. It brings together inspiring leaders and significant events designed to equip attendees with the tools and knowledge to influence the policies and perceptions of produce and floral on Capitol Hill. From keynote speakers to celebrations showcasing the […]
ROFDA Spring Conference Focus: Innovate, Educate, Motivate
ROFDA (Retailer Owned Food Distributors Associates) held its spring conference May 1-5 at the Renaissance Esmeralda in Indian Wells, California. The conference included educational sessions, business-to-business meetings and social and networking opportunities. “Unified by our commitment to the success of independent grocery retailers across the nation, our collective passion is our strength,” stated Mike Violette, […]
FMI Asks Fed To Lower Swipe Fees
FMI – The Food Industry Association has filed extensive comments with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors on its proposed rulemaking to lower the debit regulated rate, the swipe fee that grocers and other merchants pay for accepting debit cards for transactions. “The debit regulated rate was initially set by the Federal Reserve in 2011. Since then, the Fed’s own […]
FMI: April CPI Report ‘Incredibly Positive News For Grocery Shoppers’
The April Consumer Price Index Report (CPI) demonstrates the “process of taming inflation continues,” according to Andy Harig, FMI – The Food Industry Association VP of tax, trade, sustainability and policy development. He noted food-at-home was a particular bright spot in the data. “On a month-over-month basis, inflation for food-at-home actually went negative at minus […]
FMI Launches 2024 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends Series
Shoppers enjoy food shopping as much as ever, according to the latest annual survey by FMI – The Food Industry Association, conducted by The Hartman Group. The analysis kicking off this 2024 series, U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends: Finding Value, provides a crucial snapshot of consumer behavior and sentiment in the most frequently purchased consumer category amid ongoing concerns […]
TIPA, Viva Fresh Open Honor Texas Produce Icon Fox
During this year’s Viva Fresh, the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) celebrated the vibrant spirit of the fresh produce industry while also paying tribute in memoriam to Texas produce icon Craig Fox of Fox Packaging. The Viva Fresh Open golf tournament, presented by BEBO Distributing and H-E-B, posthumously honored Fox with a $25,000 scholarship in his name. Funds were raised through registrations from the annual golf tournament, which was held this year at the […]
FMI Names 2024 Store Manager Award Winners
FMI – The Food Industry Association has named the winners of the 2024 Store Manager Awards, shining a spotlight on the store managers who bring their passion and talents to serve their store, employees and customers. The FMI Store Manager Award nominations are submitted by peers and food retail companies to recognize outstanding managers who generate […]
