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 […]
Category: Association News
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 […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Welcomes Fed’s Proposal to Reduce Regulated Debit Rate
FMI – The Food Industry Association welcomed the Federal Reserve Board of Governors’ decision in a 6-1 vote to initiate a proposed rulemaking that would reduce the regulated debit interchange rate and adjust the rate every two years consistent with data. Merchants like grocery stores are required to pay debit interchange fees to process debit card transactions. In […]
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National
NFRA Elects 2024 Officers, Directors
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) elected its association officers and members of the board of directors for 2023-24 at its annual board meeting on Oct. 7. Neil Ritchey, VP of consumer brands with InnovAsian Cuisine Enterprises, was elected to serve as chairman of the board. Ritchey has served on the NFRA Board […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Honors Members For Industry Service, Advocacy
The National Grocers Association (NGA) recognized three of its members this week for their commitment, service and political advocacy on behalf of the grocery industry. The awards were presented during the NGA Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit, held Oct. 22-25 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. Mike Stigers, president of Wakefern Food Corp., […]
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National
New Frozen Foods Research Shows Steady Shopping Behavior
New research in the Power of Frozen in Retail report finds that frozen foods maintain their relevance to grocery shoppers and offer a suite of valuable benefits that meet their mealtime needs. The third edition of the report, released Oct. 24 by the American Frozen Food Institute and FMI – The Food Industry Association, reports that frozen […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Cybersecurity Update For Independent Grocers
October is National Cybersecurity Month, providing independent grocers with a timely opportunity to catch up on the latest advances in cybersecurity. It’s always a good time to assess whether you’re vulnerable to hackers, where the weaknesses are in your systems and what you need to do now to beef up your security measures to protect […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Pennsylvania’s Election Battleground Status Will Capture Nation’s Attention In 2024
Assessing Pennsylvania’s status as a battleground state in the 2024 election, Alex Baloga didn’t mince words. “To say that it’s going to be a wild next year is probably putting it mildly,” said Baloga, who is president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. For the first time in 12 years, the Pennsylvania House […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Convenes Executive Conference And Public Policy Summit
Hundreds of top leaders in the independent grocery industry gathered in the nation’s capital Oct. 23 for three days of future-focused education, strategic planning and networking during the National Grocers Association’s Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit. The event continues through Oct. 25 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. The Executive Conference and Public Policy […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Feature, National
Panel At IFPA Global Produce And Floral Show Addresses AI
“Technology does not scale linearly. It scales exponentially.” That comment from Patrick Vizzone, executive director of DiMuto, perhaps best sums up the CEO Panel on Oct. 19 at the IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show in Anaheim, California. The panel – Johnny C. Taylor Jr., president and CEO of SHRM; Elliott Grant, CEO of Mineral, […]