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 […]
Category: Association News
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 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
IGA Launches Holiday Ugly Sweater Shopper Sweepstakes
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, […]
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 […]