The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) has announced the Silver Plate Award winners of its statewide 2023 Bag Hunger Campaign contest, which will donate $16,500 to neighborhood hunger relief partners across the state. The campaign brought together retail members, vendors and community hunger relief partners, with participants offering multiple opportunities for consumers to contribute. Their efforts […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, West
AFMA Appoints Bednar As First Female President
Lisa Bednar will become the first female president in the 80-year history of the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance (AFMA) on April 1 when she takes the reins from Mark Miller, who will be retiring at the end of May. In announcing the appointment, AFMA noted that Bednar has served as its senior director of community […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Independent Grocers Gather As 2024 NGA Show Opens
Celebrity chef Carla Hall delivered the opening keynote address for 2024 NGA Show. Based on early estimates, the 2024 NGA Show – which opened Sunday at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas – is on pace to be the largest in the history of the National Grocers Association. The popular three-day gathering, which […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, Association News, Giant Food, Northeast
Delaware Known For Strong Economy, Business Friendliness
Delaware is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. According to U.S. Census Bureau, the population of The First State increased 10.2 percent from 2010 to 2020. And, current estimates show the number of people moving to the state has continued to climb in the past three years. People are coming to Delaware for […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Encourages Biden To Help Reel In Credit Card Fees
In her response to the State of the Union Address on March 7, FMI – The Food Industry Association President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin encouraged President Joe Biden to focus on solutions instead of politics. Sarasin’s statement began by acknowledging that Biden covered a “variety of issues affecting Americans across the country, including economic issues.” […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National
Report: Meat Department Posts Strong Start To Year
The average price per pound in the meat department across all cuts and kinds, both fixed and random weight, stood at $4.55 in January, up 1.2 percent from year-on-year, according to a recent Circana and 210 Analytics report. Processed meat tends to have the higher prices, but its average price per pound decreased for bacon, […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Backs Bill To Address Food Traceability Rule Challenges
FMI – The Food Industry Association welcomed the introduction of the “Food Traceability Enhancement Act” in the U.S. House by Reps. Scott Franklin (R-FL), Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) that would address key implementation and compliance challenges with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Traceability Rule. The legislation would make targeted improvements […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National
Report: Frozen Foods Can Help Family Budgets, Meals
Citing their convenience and affordability, the latest Atomik survey by the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association found that frozen foods contribute to healthy meals. Parents find frozen foods to be a particularly valuable tool for meal planning and rising grocery costs. A significant portion (76 percent) of parents surveyed agree the products help them […]
Posted inAssociation News, Hugo's Family Marketplace, National
NGA Reveals 2024 Creative Choice Award Winners
The National Grocers Association (NGA), along with sponsoring partners Kellanova and Unilever, have revealed the winners of its annual Creative Choice Awards, which recognizes the best marketing and merchandising programs among independent grocery retailers. Recipients of the Creative Choice Awards will receive national recognition at The NGA Show March 10-12 at the Caesars Forum Convention […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, National
IGA, AppCard Partner To Improve Shopping Experience
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has begun a strategic partnership with AppCard, a personalized marketing and shopper analytics solution for independent grocers. This collaboration marks a milestone in both companies’ commitment to enhancing the customer shopping experience and driving greater loyalty in the independent grocery sector. Under this new partnership, AppCard will become a member of […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Thanks Congress For Protecting SNAP
The National Grocers Association (NGA) is thanking members of Congress for protecting grocers and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants in the FY 2024 agriculture appropriations bill by eliminating a provision that could have caused widespread disruptions and undercut SNAP’s effectiveness. A proposal dropped from the final bill would have sharply limited the types of […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Making Pest Control A Priority
Have you ever considered how pest movement can impact food safety? We live in a world of movement, and food and food products are no exception, traveling along channels of production, processing, packaging and distribution. Food and ingredients can move thousands of miles from their source until they find their way onto store shelves. Keeping […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
NGA Foundation Scholarships Offer Boost To Students Who Are Our Future
The future of the independent grocery industry largely depends upon having talented leadership that can steer it through changing times and dynamic market conditions. Part of cultivating that leadership is encouraging today’s students to become tomorrow’s leaders by demonstrating the opportunities and benefits of working in a business that uplifts communities and feeds the nation. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
NJFC Reveals 2024 Leadership Class
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) introduced the 2024 Leadership Development Class before members during its annual meeting. Jessica Scaduto of Foodtown/Food Circus serves as chair of the Leadership Development Program and Matthew Lipowski of Bimbo Bakeries USA is vice chair, both graduates of the program. “We eagerly anticipate mentoring this upcoming group of rising […]
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National
AFFI-CON 2024 Posts Record-Setting Attendance
Nearly 1,600 professionals from more than 500 different companies attended AFFI-CON 2024, the frozen food industry’s premier annual event Feb. 24-27 in San Diego. “AFFI is committed to fostering industry growth through data, insights and programming such as AFFI-CON,” said Alison Bodor, president and CEO of The American Frozen Food Institute “This event provides a […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Research Identifies Opportunities For Consumer Eating Occasions
Insights revealed from FMI – The Food Industry Association, Oliver Wyman and Circana highlight new opportunities for food industry trading partners to cater to shoppers’ expanding definitions of value. The research, “Finding Growth for Food & Beverage at Retail: Winning Eating Occasions throughout the Day,” supports go-to-market strategies and ways in which grocers can attract more shopper relevance regarding needs, experiences, […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Association News, National
NGA Praises FTC’s Freeze On Kroger-Albertsons Merger
The National Grocers Association (NGA) issued the following response to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) decision Feb. 26 to challenge the merger between Kroger and Albertsons. “Every day, America’s local independent supermarkets face economic challenges due to the influence of massive power buyer chains who use their leverage over suppliers at the expense of smaller […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Preparing For The USDA’s New Organic Enforcement Rule
The deadline for USDA’s “Strengthening Organic Enforcement” (SOE) final rule is barely a month away. More robust recordkeeping, audits and traceability of organic certifications will be required of more businesses throughout the food supply. The National Grocers Association, as part of its traceability partnership with ReposiTrak, hosted a recent webinar that explained what the rule […]
Posted inBJ's Wholesale Club, Albertsons, Association News, Market Profile, Northeast
Maine Sees Evolving Retail Landscape, Population Shift
Maine is known for its picturesque mountain and coastal landscapes, as well as its seafaring traditions, agricultural and forestry businesses. It also is a state dealing with economic and workforce challenges and an evolving retail landscape. Layered on top of this, Maine is experiencing a profound pandemic-fueled population shift. COVID had (and is still having) […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
SQFI Names 2024 Excellence Awards Finalists
The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), a division of FMI – The Food Industry Association, has announced six finalists for the 2024 SQF Excellence Awards in anticipation of 2024 SQF Unites in New Orleans. Excellence in Auditing The Excellence in SQF Auditing award is presented to an SQF auditor who demonstrates exceptional performance and dedication […]