Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is celebrating a year of progress in 2023 toward its mission to offer a full suite of supply chain assurance programs to the fresh produce industry. The group celebrated a new program launch, grew its staff and streamlined certification to make it more cost effective for growers starting in 2024. EFI […]
Category: Association News
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Maryland’s Budget Deficit May Hinder Business Improvements
While holiday spending has been bolstered by lower food prices in Maryland, the state’s upcoming legislative session could bring major changes, according to Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Food Industry Council. MFIC is focused on three major issues for the upcoming session, which begins in January. Across the 90-day session, it hopes to see […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Northeast
New Jersey’s Grocery Industry Strong, ‘Uber Competitive’
The economy in New Jersey is a tale of two cities, according to Linda Doherty, president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council. New Jersey was recently ranked as the most improved state for business, climbing 23 spots to 19th in America’s Top States for Business rankings by CNBC. This past year, it saw […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest
Labor, Retail Crime Challenge Wisconsin Grocers
Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, said the Badger State is not immune to challenges such as inflation and price increases. “It affects us just as much as everybody else.” Scholz noted the dairy industry in the state remains strong and is an important part of the Wisconsin economy. “Overall, I […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Key Wins, Grassroots Support Highlight NGA’s Advocacy Year In Review
by Max Wengroff / NGA Coordinator, Government Relations and Membership This has been a busy year for the National Grocers Association (NGA’s) Government Relations team in Washington. We faced a torrent of new regulations from the Biden administration and, despite Congressional chaos, we managed to put some points on the board. We have faced both […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, National
IGA Launches Family Meals Made Easy Recipe Platform
The Independent Grocers Alliance has launched a new, enhanced “Family Meals Made Easy” recipe platform on the IGA website. Powered by Grocery Shopii, the new platform provides curated recipes designed to make meal planning more accessible and convenient for shoppers and more impactful for IGA’s independent grocery retailers who can share the shoppable content across […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest
IRMA Exec: Future Of Illinois Grocers Hangs In Balance
Merchants in Illinois are facing a problem 15 years in the making. In 2008, the Illinois legislature unanimously passed the Biometric Information Privacy Act, which ensures that private companies are prohibited from collecting biometric data unless given express permission, according to Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. The law requires […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
New Scholarship Honors Longtime NJFC Leader
Linda Doherty, who has served as president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) for 20 years, was hailed for her service with a $5,000 President’s Scholarship, to be awarded annually to a student from a member company or family member. NJFC launched the scholarship through an advertising journal, which was distributed at […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Houchens Insurance Group Becomes IGA Red Oval Partner
Houchens Insurance Group, an insurance and risk management agency with national prominence and local service, has joined the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) as a Red Oval Partner. The partnership will allow IGA members the opportunity to create customized insurance solutions to protect their businesses, employees and communities on a level unavailable to independent retailers. “Like […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
Melillo Next Chair Of California Grocers Association
Lynn Melillo, VP of asset management for Bristol Farms, was elected to a one-year term as chair of the California Grocers Association’s board of directors during the organization’s annual meeting Dec. 1. The association comprises more than 350 retail companies, operating more than 6,000 stores in the West. As chair, Melillo will help oversee California […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
Niemann Foods Is 2024 NGA Student Case Study Retailer
The NGA Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association, has announced that Quincy, Illinois-based Niemann Foods will be the participating retailer in the 2024 Student Case Study Competition. The annual Student Case Study Competition brings college students pursuing degrees in food and retail programs from across the country to The NGA Show, where […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Foundation Awards 2023 Food Safety Auditing Scholarships
The FMI Foundation, in partnership with The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), a division of FMI – The Food Industry Association, has awarded 15 food safety scholars with a 2023 Food Safety Auditing Scholarship. Recipients receive a $3,000 scholarship and an educational travel grant to SQF Unites, an event for the global food safety and […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
How To Get Ready For FDA-Enforced Food Traceability
Traceability of high-risk food is now the law under the Food Safety Modernization Act, and time is running short to get into compliance. The deadline for compliance is January 2026 – by the calendar, that’s two years away, but when you subtract weekends, days off and the annual holiday rush periods when operators typically avoid […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, Association News, National
Google Cloud Executive To Keynote FMI Midwinter Conference
Jose Luis-Gomes, managing director of retail and CPG with Google Cloud, will give a keynote address on artificial intelligence and future applications for food industry C-suite executives during FMI’s 2024 Midwinter Executive Conference. “Nearly one in four food retailers and two out of three suppliers are currently using AI for their business solutions,” said Leslie […]
Posted inAssociation News, Hugo's Family Marketplace, Midwest
7 Minnesota Grocers Named Retailer Of Year Recipients
Seven grocers who promote locally grown and produced products have been named a 2024 Retailer of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown program, in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association. This year’s winners include: Northwest: Hugo’s Family Marketplace, East Grand Forks; Northeast: Chris’ Food Center, Sandstone; West Central: Elden’s Fresh Foods, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Success May Lie Outside Your Comfort Zone – Find Out At NGA Show
I’ve said many times that the events hosted by the National Grocers Association are opportunities to take time away from your business – as busy as I know you all to be – in order to spend some time working on your business. But perhaps it’s also an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
What A.I. Can Do For Independent Grocers?
As a grocery retailer, are you using artificial intelligence? You probably are and may not realize it. AI is already a part of many of the functions of e-commerce as well as other tech functions that many grocers are using. But what’s the next step – what else can AI do for independent grocers to […]
Posted inAssociation News, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
What Instacart’s IPO Says About E-Commerce Growth, Retail Grocery
In late September, Instacart launched its initial public offering. The e-commerce company offers online ordering fulfillment, plus an online marketplace for retailers. (We have many IGA stores as Instacart partners.) Their IPO offers a lot of insights into the e-commerce market in the U.S., starting with its value. During COVID-19, when shoppers were forced out […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, Northeast
NJFC Loss Prevention Conference, Expo Addresses Security Issues
The New Jersey Food Council, in partnership with the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association and the Delaware Food Industry Council, addressed the most pressing security issues in the food industry Nov. 2 at the 2023 NJFC Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Conference and Expo. Under the theme of “Protecting Our Communities and […]
Posted inAsk The Experts, Association News, National
The Future Of Retail Grocery: What To Expect In 2024
Sponsored content In preparation for the upcoming 2024 NGA Show, NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara discusses the future of retail grocery and highlights how The NGA Show can help retailers prepare for future growth through educational sessions and networking opportunities. Q: What will the supermarket industry look like in the coming years? Grocers navigate […]