The IGA Holiday Ugly Sweater Sweepstakes from the Independent Grocers Alliance is a chance for shoppers to earn extra holiday spending cash and discover new recipes. More than 100 $25 IGA gift cards are available, with every participant receiving the IGA Holiday Recipe Book that features sponsored recipes from American Egg Board, Coca-Cola, Dan-O’s Seasoning, […]
Category: Association News
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Association News, Frozen Food, National, Raley's
UNFI, Kroger, Raley’s Executives To Address NFRA Conference Attendees
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) will hold its 32nd annual Executive Conference on April 8-10 at the Westin Tempe in Tempe, Arizona. Retailer presentations will feature Stuart Aitken, chief merchant and marketing officer at Kroger; CEO Sandy Douglas of UNFI; and Keith Knopf, president and CEO at Raley’s. This three-day event brings […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Truly Inspirational: BIPOC Independent Grocers Virtual Roundtable
By Chelsea Matzen / VP, NGA Foundation Diversity and inclusion is one of the NGA Foundation’s five programmatic pillars and one that will be important to the long-term success of the independent grocery industry. For an industry that can boast its position at the heart of the community, its reflection of that community – through […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Carolina Retailers Face Alcohol Issues, Though Solutions Differ
Modernizing alcohol regulations has been a top priority in North and South Carolina, according to Lindsey Kueffner, executive director of the Carolinas Food Industry Council. In North Carolina, the CFIC has been working to limit wine wholesalers’ split case fees. The charges ultimately limit retailers’ ability to provide deals to the customers and have been […]
Posted inAssociation News, Festival Foods, National
FMI Foundation Recognizes 2023 Gold Plate Award Recipients
The FMI Foundation named the 2023 Gold Plate Awards recipients during a live-streamed ceremony, highlighting family meal programs implemented by the food industry and community organizations. Recipients include programs that embrace the nature of family meals from organizations such as The Foundation for Fresh Produce, Skogen’s Festival Foods, K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc., Hy-Vee Inc. and Pure Flavors. “The Gold Plate Awards are a […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Beverage News, Southeast
Ready-To-Drink Cocktails Yields ‘Mixed Bag’ Of Success For TGCSA
Tennessee grocers are finding success in the sale of wine-based ready-to-drink cocktails, according to Rob Ikard, president and CEO, Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association (TGCSA). The amendment to the original Wine Act of 2014 went into effect Jan. 1. Although TGCSA had proposed legislation that would have authorized the sale of both wine- and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, National
NGA Foundation’s SEMTAC Website Goes Live For SNAP Help
The National Grocers Association Foundation has officially launched the SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center (SEMTAC) website to assist grocers with their SNAP online purchasing pilot questions. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, the SEMTAC website has been designed to serve as a resource hub, offering information […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Applauds Prohibition Extension On EBT Fees
The National Grocers Association (NGA) is highlighting a significant achievement in Washington as Congress, in bipartisan agreement, extended the prohibition on EBT processing fees for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. NGA and its members have advocated for the extension of the ban on EBT processing fees, and lawmakers have included this provision into the latest […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southwest
Oklahoma Grocers ‘Resilient’ In Face Of Ongoing Challenges
Oklahoma’s economy has remained fairly steady over the past year, according to Ron Edgmon, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Grocers Association. The state treasury report for August showed gross sales tax receipts up 5.1 percent over the last 12 months, although oil and gas production taxes have declined by 7.2 percent, he said. “Regional […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, West
WAFC Welcomes Van Buskirk To Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains elected Mark Van Buskirk of The Save Mart Companies to the WAFC board of directors during a Nov. 4 meeting in San Diego, California. “We are excited to welcome Mark, an influential industry leader, to the WAFC board of directors,” said Paul Gianetto, WAFC president and chairman and SVP […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI: Shoppers Optimistic Ahead Of Busy Holiday Meals Season
Despite ongoing concerns about high prices, shoppers are optimistic about their financial situations heading into the holidays and are finding ways to meet their holiday meal needs at the grocery store, according to FMI – The Food Industry Association’s new “U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends, Holiday Season” report. “While consumers are understandably concerned about their finances […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
IFPA Announces 2023 Leadership Program Class
The International Fresh Produce Association announced the incoming class for its 2023 Leadership Program during the graduation of the previous year’s fellows. The program, now in its 28th year, is a year-long journey where participants develop essential leadership and business skills through a series of customized trips. These trips are packed with face-to-face meetings, hands-on […]
Posted inAssociation News, Southeast
Lt. Gov. Ainsworth Receives AGA’s Spirit Of Alabama Award
The Alabama Grocers Association presented Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth its Spirit of Alabama Award, recognizing his commitment to the state’s grocery industry. At the annual Alabama Food Industry Finest Luncheon Oct. 26 at The Club in Birmingham, Ainsworth addressed more than 120 people to discuss the accomplishments attained in the 2023 legislative session and his […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
FTC Chair Khan Tours PITCO Foods’ Distribution Warehouse
Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan toured a PITCO Foods facility in the San Francisco Bay Area of California to hold the latest in a series of roundtables discussing retail challenges and what Washington is doing to enforce the nation’s antitrust laws. The event took place at one of PITCO Foods’ grocery distribution warehouses, which services […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Disappointed With New Joint Employer Rules
The National Grocers Association (NGA), the national trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, issued the following statement from SVP and Counsel Chris Jones in response to the National Labor Relations Board’s new regulations on joint employer standards under the National Labor Relations Act: “This final rule considerably broadens the existing definition of a ‘joint […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Help Consumers Better Understand Grocery Business, Full Impact Of Inflation
Independent grocers are more in tune than most businesses with the communities they serve. Grocers see folks every week – sometimes every day – to help them with their families’ needs. Grocers engage, communicate and commiserate, offering ideas and solutions amid challenging economic times. So, it may come as a surprise that, according to recent […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
NGAF Leads Charge On Produce Prescription Technology Solutions
The National Grocers Association Foundation (NGAF) has wrapped up the Point of Sale Produce Prescription (PPR) Workgroup, successfully creating a core functionality document for efficient and accurate produce prescription POS solutions. This will be added to the association’s collection of resources that guide grocers seeking to offer nutrition incentives and produce prescription programs in their communities. Produce […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Concludes Executive Conference, Public Policy Summit
More than 250 independent grocery executives convened this past week for analysis, insights and discussions about the future of their industry and influence of politics on their business at the NGA Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit. The event was held Oct. 22-25 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. Attendance topped that of last […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, Snacks Brands
NCA Reports Confectionery Industry Remains Strong
The confectionery industry is as strong as it’s ever been, according to Carly Schildhaus, director of public affairs and communications for the National Confectioners Association. She said consumers are eager to find ways to add a little bit of sweetness to their lives, “whether enhancing holidays, brightening celebrations or making an ordinary day extraordinary.” In […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Reality Of U.S. Economy – Inflation, Stagflation, Disinflation, Economic Pessimism
How’s that for a headline? Or better yet, how’s that for a description of the current economic situation in the U.S.? Confused? You are in good company. American consumers may not know one “-flation” phase from the next. But they don’t have to be economists to know that the economy seems to be a lot […]