Lakewood, California-based Western Association of Food Chains has announced the 2023-24 officers and board of directors, elected May 7 and May 9 at the WAFC’s annual convention. The new officers are: Paul Gianetto, SVP of sales and merchandising at Raley’s, has been named president and chairman. Nancy Lebold, CEO at New Seasons Markets, will serve […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, National
FMI Recognizes Five Store Manager Award Recipients
FMI – The Food Industry Association has announced the five recipients of the 2023 Store Manager Awards. From 175 nominations, 12 finalists were honored during a virtual awards ceremony hosted by Heather Garlich, SVP for communications, marketing and consumer/community affairs at FMI, and Brian Sappington, president of the retail portfolio, North America at The Coca-Cola […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, Gelson's, West
WAFC Wraps Up Record-Breaking Convention
Fueled by a record-breaking turnout, retailers and vendors took advantage of business meetings to renew relationships, discuss merchandising ideas and meet emerging brands May 6-10 at the Western Association of Food Chains’ annual convention. WAFC Chief Operating Officer Pat Posey told The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves that the show drew rave reviews. “Overall, I think everyone […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
Guest Speakers Entertain Attendees At Convention
Attendees at the Western Association of Food Chains’ annual convention were entertained by guest speakers that took the general session stage May 9 at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, California. Motivational speaker, comedian and bestselling author Josh Sundquist has shared his story with audiences across the world. At age 9, Sundquist was […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
How Hiring Disabled Individuals Can Enhance Your Business
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Consumers are increasingly looking to spend money with brands and merchants they consider to be socially responsible. Are independent grocers missing something by not taking their DEI programs far enough? NGA hosted a recent webinar in which Lloyd Lewis, president and CEO of Arc Thrift […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
MGA Awards 18 Minnesota Companies For Efforts To Fight Hunger
The Minnesota Grocers Association has announced the Silver Plate Award winners of its 2022 Bag Hunger Campaign contest. It is part of a statewide campaign coordinated by the MGA that engages community members in the fight against hunger in their neighborhoods. The winners of the Silver Plate Awards created in-store displays that best depicted the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
PFMA Highlights Trends, Shares Update During Conference
Pennsylvania food and beverage industry leaders gathered May 9-10 at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square during its annual conference hosted by the PFMA. “Our Annual Conference provides valuable time for us to connect with our members and sponsors to discuss what is happening in the food and beverage industries,” said Alex Baloga, president and […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Shares Support Of ‘Save Local Business’ Act
The National Grocers Association has announced its support for the Save Local Business Act. Introduced by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Rep. James Comer (R-KY), the Save Local Business Act would codify into law the traditional joint employer standard, which conditions employment liability on the clear and predictable standard of “direct, actual and immediate control over […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
Grocery Exec/Board Member Extolls Benefits Of WAFC
Mike Johnson, VP of merchandising for King Soopers and a member of the Western Association of Food Chain’s board of directors, spoke with The Shelby Report’s VP Jan Meade at the WAFC Convention about the benefits of the organization. Johnson, who also has worked for The Kroger Co.’s Fred Meyer and Kroger banners, said the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Feature, West
WAFC Convention Setting Records For Attendance
The Shelby Report’s EVP Bob Reeves caught up with Joe Perez, headlite of the Illuminators, on May 7 during the Western Association of Food Chain’s Convention in Palm Desert, California. Perez said he is extremely excited, noting there is “a lot of high energy and momentum in the industry.” The convention began May 6 with […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
5 Questions For Jackie LaPointe
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs The director of grocery at retail technology company Upside shares her thoughts on the current state of the industry and what the future holds for independent grocers. 1. Challenges of the past year continue to linger into 2023, and despite a gradual easing of inflation, operators […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, National
NGA Foundation Appoints Underwood As SEMTAC Project Director
The National Grocers Association Foundation has appointed Brielle Underwood as its project director for the SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center. Underwood comes to the NGA Foundation from The Food Trust in Philadelphia, for which she served as a project manager, overseeing the organization’s farmers market programs and assisting with grant reporting and evaluation. “We […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
WGA’s Emerging Leaders Share Group Premieres In Chicago
Women Grocers of America, operating as a professional development network supported by the National Grocers Association Foundation, launched its new emerging leaders share group, setting the stage for the second meeting of the Executive Female Leadership Network in Chicago. The first gathering of the Emerging Female Leaders share group attracted 13 participants for two days of education, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, National
FMI Names 12 Finalists For Outstanding Store Manager Awards
This year’s awards competition witnessed record-breaking participation FMI – The Food Industry Association has named 12 finalists for its 2023 Store Manager Awards. From a record 175 nominations, these outstanding store managers stood out from the crowd for their ability to generate sales growth, effectively communicate company and store goals and objectives, demonstrate team leadership in their […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
The Art And Science Of Product Selection
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Getting product assortment right is not an easy task, yet it is absolutely critical to retail success. Unlike inventory management and pricing, where there may be considerable data and analytical tools to guide decision making, assortment optimization requires a balance of art with science, especially […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Beyond The Fruited Plain: A Grocery Perspective On 2023 Farm Bill
Work on a Farm Bill reauthorization is under way, and as this column goes to press, Washington observers anticipate an uptick in activity toward the food and ag package that holds significant impact for independent grocers, especially those in historically underserved parts of the country. Earlier this year, NGA outlined its 2023 Farm Bill priorities […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Gent Joins Consumer Brands As EVP Of Industry Engagement
The Consumer Brands Association has named Genna Gent EVP of industry engagement, effective May 17. “This is such an important hire at such an important time for the association, and I could not be more pleased to be welcoming Genna to the team,” said David Chavern, president and CEO. “Genna brings exceptional experience as a […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News
Viva Fresh Donates 20K+ Pounds Of Fresh Produce
Donation to North Texas Food Bank aims to help close hunger gap The Texas International Produce Association again teamed up with the North Texas Food Bank of Plano, Texas, to help close the hunger gap. At the conclusion of the Viva Fresh Expo earlier this month, 21,806 pounds of fresh produce was donated. The donation […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Experts Optimistic That Inflation Will Decrease In 2023
FMI – the Food Industry Association hosted a briefing March 15, “Impact of Inflation on Grocery Shopper Buying Habits: Looking Inside Inflation’s Black Box,” to discuss what lies ahead for food prices in 2023. The briefing looked at how higher prices have impacted shopper buying habits and how grocers are responding to the economic climate […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, Northeast
New Jersey Food Council To Honor Four Industry Leaders May 17
The New Jersey Food Council will host its “Night of Distinction” reception at 5:30 p.m. on May 17 at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, New Jersey. The event will draw more than 500 guests, including food industry executives across the region. “This is the perfect time to celebrate the industry and its leaders who have […]