FMI – The Food Industry Association has been recognized as a MyPlate National Strategic Partnership Champion, the highest recognition possible, for its efforts to make MyPlate a household name. As a MyPlate National Strategic Partner for more than 12 years, FMI collaborates with members across the food industry to raise awareness of MyPlate resources. The association […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Midwinter Executive Conference ‘Premier Forum’ For Industry
FMI – The Food Industry Association will hold its Midwinter Executive Conference Jan. 18-21 at the JW Marriott Marco Island in Florida. Exclusive to FMI members, the conference allows attendees to come together to navigate ever-shifting currents and focus on the most critical issues affecting the industry. FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin talked with […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Foundation Announces Two New Scholarships for Grocery-Minded Collegians
The NGA Foundation has announced that Wooster, Ohio-based grocer Buehler’s Fresh Foods is sponsoring two new scholarships available to college students pursuing a career in the grocery industry, bringing to 22 the total number of scholastic awards offered by the foundation. The two new scholarships, each worth $1,000, are available to current full-time, part-time or […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Antitrust, Swipe Fee Reform Top NGA 2024 Policy Agenda
The National Grocers Association (NGA) Government Relations Committee has finalized its 2024 policy agenda for independent community grocers, with antitrust reform and swipe fee changes leading the way. During a Jan. 11 meeting in Washington, D.C., the committee discussed a variety of topics important to the independent supermarket industry and fashioned a strategy to advocate […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
Wyoming Remains ‘Good Place To Do Business’
Wyoming is the 10th largest state in the U.S. in total area but is the least populated, with about 581,000 residents. It does not impose an income tax, with local governments relying heavily on property tax collections. More than 60 percent of those revenues come from mineral production. The majority of property taxes are directed […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Award-Winning Sportscaster Czarniak To Emcee NGA Best Bagger Championship
Award-winning sportscaster Lindsay Czarniak, known for her work covering the NFL, NASCAR and the Olympics, will emcee the National Grocers Association’s annual Best Bagger Championship, sponsored by PepsiCo, at the 2024 NGA Show on March 11, at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. This is the 38th year that NGA will host the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Guest Contributors, National
Post-Pandemic Holiday Presents Opportunity For Independent Grocers
Humans are social animals. As a species, we crave interaction with others. And the absence of connection is so emotionally crippling, we use solitary confinement as a severe criminal punishment. Children born in isolation fail to develop emotionally and physically and often are so scared they can never integrate into society as adults. And primates […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National
NGA Shares Several Senior Staff Promotions
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has promoted three key senior staff executives: Jonathan Downey to COO and SVP; Christopher Jones to chief government relations officer and counsel and SVP; and Laura Strange to chief communications and engagement officer and SVP. “NGA is fortunate to have a strong and committed group of senior leaders who bring […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
From Advocacy To Education, IFPA Touts Impacts In 2023
Advancing the health of consumers, the produce and floral industries and the planet are at the heart of 10 key 2023 impacts from the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA). “We do so much more together as an association than any individual or company can do on their own,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns. “Our members […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Southeast
Food Retailers ‘Pivotal’ In Virginia’s Economic Resilience
Virginia’s economy has shown resilience and improvement compared to last year, according to Melissa Assalone, executive director of the Virginia Food Industry Association. “Despite ongoing challenges and a reduction in federal money coming into Virginia, there are positive economic indicators such as job growth and increased consumer spending,” she said. Assalone noted the grocery sector […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
By The Numbers, An Advocacy Review And Policy Outlook For Independent Grocers
With an election on the horizon in which the White House and control of Congress are on the line, 2024 is shaping up to be an interesting year. Pending legislation and regulatory changes in the coming year are sure to influence business operations, supply chain management and consumer expectations – and indeed, they’re influencing NGA’s […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Applauds Power-Buyer Scrutiny In New Merger Guidelines
The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice released their final version for new merger enforcement guidelines on Dec. 18. The final guidelines include substantial revisions to the existing standards, introducing new considerations for mergers that enhance buyer power. In a significant shift, the guidelines issued strongly consider how buyer power impacts competition amongst rival […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, Produce News
EFI’s Programs Expanded To Benefit More Growers, Buyers, Farmworkers
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 […]
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 […]