A forward-looking education agenda driven by top industry leaders is the centerpiece of this year’s National Grocers Association Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit, the annual gathering of executives from the independent grocery industry. The summit, scheduled for Oct. 22-25 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., offers retail, wholesale and supplier executives and their […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
NJFC Awards $97K In Food Industry Scholarships
The New Jersey Food Council’s Educational Development Scholarship Foundation held a virtual reception with the winners of $97,500 in scholarships to further these students’ dreams, goals and career aspirations. “We host this reception to celebrate the achievements and recognize the hard work of individuals who will pave the way for the future of business and […]
Posted inAssociation News, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, National
FMI Announces 2023 Community Uplift Award Recipients
FMI – The Food Industry Association has announced recipients of the 2023 Community Uplift Awards. Out of 18 nominations, three community uplift programs were selected by a panel of judges as recipients for their standout efforts in addressing food insecurity and neighborhood health needs and programs that influence social impact. The 2023 Community Uplift Award recipients include The Giant Co., Hy-Vee Inc. and Brookshire Grocery […]
Posted inAssociation News, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
Independent Grocers Are Mighty Contenders In Evolving Grocery Landscape
by Christopher Greco / President and CEO, Storewise Recent narratives about the supermarket industry are painting an unnecessarily pessimistic picture of the future for supermarkets. The industry is changing, and smaller stores have seen a marginal dip in market share. But that’s only half of the story, and not the most exciting half. Instead of […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
Scholarships Send Family-Owned Produce Firms To D.C.
The International Fresh Produce Association has announced the recipients of the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship Program. The scholarship provides airfare, hotel and registration for representatives from family-owned businesses to attend the IFPA Washington Conference for the first time. This year’s winners are: Billy Itule, senior management, Willy Itule Produce Inc. in Phoenix; Amanda […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Minimum Wage, Tax Refunds Top Of Retailer’s Minds In New York
Retailers in New York are about to see their labor costs increase thanks to new legislation that will result in a gradual minimum wage increase statewide. Mike Durant, president and CEO of the Food Industry Alliance of New York, said the recently concluded state assembly session stirred “heated debate” over the measure. As it stands, the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Marketing News, Merchandising News, National
FMI Report: Parents Buying Groceries Online More Often
The most recent survey of grocery shoppers’ spending habits and attitudes by FMI – The Food Industry Association found that parents are using online grocery shopping more than most consumers. According to FMI’s “Back to School” report, 42 percent of parents noted a year-over-year increase in frequency for buying groceries online. As a group, they […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Workforce Top Issue Facing Employers In Iowa As Economy Improves
A second-quarter Economic Outlook Survey by the Iowa Business Council reports a “strong confidence” in the state’s economy. This represents an increase in optimism across all areas measured by the IBC compared to results from the previous quarter. The report measures member expectations for sales, capital spending and employment for the next six months. The […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Benchmarking And Upgrades Via The USDA REAP Grant
Sustainability and store benchmarking can drive operational efficiencies and profit for independent grocers. Infrastructure projects designed to enhance a grocer’s energy efficiency may be eligible for USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants. The Ratio Institute’s benchmarking process can provide insights into existing best sustainability workplace practices and potential practices to employ. A recent […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Association News, National
Association Urges Vitamin D Addition To SNAP Farm Bill
In an effort to enhance the nutritional support provided through the Farm Bill’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Organic & Natural Health Association has launched the “All for Vitamin D: Building Stronger Families in a SNAP” campaign. This initiative calls on voters to reach out to their respective members of Congress, especially those on […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Guest Contributors, National
Exploring How Retail Grocery Can Tap Into Coming Benefits Of AI
Remember when the buzz was all about category management? E-commerce? Block chain? Big data? Well, the new chatter is all about artificial intelligence, or AI. But this time the breakthrough tech is traveling through everything – business, consumers, governments and even artists. Unlike those other transformative technology waves, AI is something we can experience and […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Report: Massachusetts’ Economy Sending Mixed Messages
Massachusetts’ economy appears to be slowing, according to a review of data in May by the MassBenchmarks Board, which also noted a number of growing concerns for 2023, along with some better-than-expected news in payroll, employment and demographics. MassBenchmarks is an initiative of the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Unveils Online Toolkit To Help Independents Accept Healthy Benefit Cards
Healthy benefit cards, offered by some private health insurers and Medicare Advantage plans, provide a convenient way for eligible individuals to purchase groceries and over-the-counter drugs using their healthcare benefit. More than 30 million Americans are now enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs, and at least 5 million participants are currently receiving hundreds of dollars on […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Landcastle Joins NGA As PAC Coordinator
Wengroff promoted to manager of government relations and membership The National Grocers Association, the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, has hired Julia Landcastle as its coordinator of political and government relations. Additionally, NGA has promoted Max Wengroff to manager of government relations and membership. Landcastle recently moved to the Washington, D.C., area after […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, Produce News
How To Get Ready For Organic Certification
The USDA has published a new regulation to “Strengthen Organic Enforcement” (SOE). The SOE states that “more types of businesses in the organic supply chain must be certified organic.” Among the new provisions is the requirement that facilities that “handle” or store organic products, such as distribution centers and warehouses, must be organic certified. USDA […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
5 Questions For Kent Montgomery
The SVP of industry relations and multicultural development at PepsiCo shares his thoughts about the state of the industry for independent grocers and his outlook for the coming months. Challenges of the past year continue to linger into 2023, and despite a gradual easing of inflation, operators as well as consumers are still feeling the […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Northeast
PFMA Adds Wawa’s Simonetti As New Board Member
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has added David Simonetti, senior director of store operations and business operations for Wawa Inc., as a new member to its board of directors. “What a great addition to our board; it is always a pleasure to welcome members of the food and beverage industries to [the] PFMA board […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
LRA Backed Measures To Streamline Tax Remittance, Reduce Retail Crime
Executive director: Law enforcement needs to ‘have discretion to make arrests’ where necessary The Louisiana Retailers Association (LRA) supported legislation this year to benefit its members, according to Jessica Elliott, executive director. Two of the bills – HB 558 and SB 54 – were passed and have been signed into law by Gov. John Bel […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
MGA Recognizes 2023 Award Winners, Hall Of Fame Inductees
The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) recognized its 2023 award winners and Hall of Fame inductees July 30 at the association’s annual conference in Brainerd, Minnesota. MGA annually presents awards to those in the industry that demonstrate excellence, have made significant contributions and are highly respected by their peers. The 2023 awards were presented by MGA […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
MFDA President: Montana’s Economy Stronger In ‘23
At the end of fiscal year 2022, Montana saw a 39 percent increase in collections from its top seven taxes. Through the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, those same taxes had produced 3 percent less, according to the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana. Most of the […]