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 […]
Category: Association News
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 […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
22 Students To Receive NGA Foundation Scholarships
As part of its effort to promote careers in the grocery industry, the National Grocers Association Foundation is awarding scholarships, provided by donors and affiliate groups, to 22 students for the 2023-24 academic year. “We are impressed by the dedication of these students to the food industry. The career plans many of them shared with […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
New Fees, Restrictions On SNAP Would Stifle Efforts To Help Food Insecure
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, is a public-private program that works as it was designed – to help feed the food insecure. And in many rural and urban areas, where independent community grocers often are the only convenient source of fresh groceries and other essential goods, SNAP has been an effective […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Engage Series Store Operations Summit Impresses Attendees
Nearly 100 operations-focused grocery leaders came away with actionable insights and first-hand perspectives from the Store Operations Summit, the latest signature event in the National Grocers Association’s Engage Series. Designed for store leaders who are focused on store operations and merchandising, the summit was held July 24-26 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown in Kansas […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Understanding The Evolving Dynamics Of Food Decisions
“Taste is king,” according to decades of data from the International Food Information Council’s annual Food and Health Survey. But taste isn’t the only factor that influences our food choices. By understanding the interconnections of factors that drive consumer food decisions, grocers and retailers can adapt to meet the demands of conscious consumers, communicate more […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National
NGA Promotes Matzen To Foundation’s VP
The National Grocers Association has promoted Chelsea Matzen to VP of the NGA Foundation, as she continues to lead the nonprofit arm of the trade association. “In her three-plus years at the NGA Foundation, Chelsea has embraced numerous challenges and opportunities, including taking over leadership of the foundation a year ago,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Albertsons, Association News, Beverage News, Gelson's, National
Retailers Uncork Big Sales With Private Label Wine
Dollar sales of private label wine in all U.S. outlets jumped 9.1 percent to $52.2 million for the 52 weeks ending June 18, versus the same period in 2022, according to new data from Circana. Unit sales grew 8 percent for the same period. Store brand spirits are another strong segment, with dollar sales up […]
Posted inAssociation News, Southeast
AGA’s 33rd Annual Show Informs, Entertains
The Alabama Grocers Association (AGA) brought members from all aspects of the grocery industry together for its 33rd annual show July 9-12 at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Florida. The business session July 10 included keynote speaker Jennifer Hatcher’s “2023 Grocery Trends Update,” part one of John Dunham’s “Economic Report for the […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, West
FPFC’s August Luncheon Benefits City of Hope
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council will hold its annual City of Hope luncheon Aug. 9 at the Sheraton Cerritos hotel in Cerritos, California. Rebecca Calvin, SVP of Stater Bros. Markets, will serve as master of ceremonies. Calvin leads Stater Bros. Markets marketing efforts, which includes sales and merchandising, integrated marketing, e-commerce and food strategy […]