The National Grocers Association has filed comments with the National Labor Relations Board on its proposed regulation, “Standard for Determining Joint-Employer Status.” This proposal would expand the current standard of what constitutes a “joint employer,” putting independent community grocers and cooperative and other small businesses at risk to legal uncertainty and increased litigation. “As independent […]
Category: Association News
Posted inExecutive News, Albertsons, Association News, West
CGA Names Darling As Incoming Board Chair
Dennis Darling, owner of Foods Etc., was elected chair of the board of directors for the 2022-23 California Grocers Association at its annual meeting Dec. 1. As board chair, Darling will oversee CGA’s legislative, educational and industry-related programs. CGA is comprised of more than 350 retail companies, operating more than 6,000 stores in the West. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
PFMA Opens Applications For 2023 Ridge Scholarship
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association is accepting applications for the 2023 Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship. Eligible students can apply for a one-year, $2,500 award for the 2023-24 academic year. The scholarship amount increased last year by $500 each. In 2022, 27 students earned $67,500 toward their educations. “This is one of the […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Encourages Improvements To FDA’s Human Foods Program
FMI – The Food Industry Association and Leslie G. Sarasin, its president and CEO, issued the following statement on the release of the Reagan-Udall Foundation’s report making recommendations to improve the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Human Foods Program. “FMI welcomes the…recommendations released yesterday, and we look forward to supporting FDA leadership as they make […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, National
FMI Report Shows Bakery Performance On The Rise
FMI – The Food Industry Association has released its inaugural Power of In-Store Bakery 2022 report, revealing that consumer engagement with in-store bakery items remained high with virtually all shoppers eating them at least occasionally and 63 percent doing so weekly. According to the analysis, food retailers can drive department success even further by emphasizing freshness, expanding options and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
IGA Names 2023 Independent Retailers Of The Year
The Independent Grocers Alliance has named nine members as the 2023 Retailers of the Year. The grocery store operators and their teams have been nominated by their wholesalers, placing them among the best of the 30,000 independent grocers in the U.S. The awards are the highest honors the association gives to its retailer members. They […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Show Is Opportunity To Work On Business
The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is one of the busiest times for grocers. The late fall and winter holidays bring a rush of shoppers eager to please family and friends at their seasonal gatherings. The traditional hectic holiday pace would be a whirlwind for grocers without the added pressures of inflation and supply […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Supports Action By Congress To Avert Rail Shutdown
FMI – The Food Industry Association and Jennifer Hatcher, chief public policy officer, issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Senate’s 80-15 vote to pass legislation preventing a rail shutdown on the heels of the House vote. “FMI commends Congress for swift bipartisan passage of legislation to avert a rail shutdown and keep the nation’s freight […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Association News, National
Independent Grocer Testifies In Kroger-Albertsons Merger Hearing
NGA member and Fresh Encounter CEO Michael Needler Jr., a third-generation independent grocer who operates about 100 grocery stores in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Florida, testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on competition policy, antitrust and consumer rights on the effect of enhanced consolidation and buyer power in the marketplace. In the hearing, titled “Examining […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Urges Congressional Action To Avert Rail Strike
FMI – The Food Industry Association welcomed the commitment from congressional leaders to pass legislation that would prevent a rail strike from occurring on Dec. 9 after rail stakeholders failed to reach consensus in recent weeks. “Freight rail networks play a critical role in our nation’s food and consumer goods supply chain, transporting raw materials to […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
WAFC Adds Three Executives To Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains has elected John Bagan of Gelson’s Markets, Eric Stover of Cardenas Markets and Levi Wingo of Raley’s to its board of directors during the association’s Nov. 5 meeting in San Diego, California. “We are excited to welcome these three influential industry leaders to the WAFC board of directors. John, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
NECSEMA Honors 2022 Store Operator Award Recipients
The New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association recently honored recipients of its Store Operator of the Year Awards at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel and Conference Center in Norwood, Massachusetts. “Our members are vital to local communities as they provide essential items such as food, gas, beverages and household items,” said Peter Brennan, NECSEMA […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, National
NGA Urges Modernization Of WIC Food Packaging
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a proposed rule Nov. 17 to revise food packaging within the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. The last such review occurred in 2009. The National Grocers Association has issued the following statement from Stephanie Johnson, VP of government relations: “WIC is an indispensable nutrition safety […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Association Acts As Advocate, Problem Solver For Members
While the overall economy in Maryland is looking bright, grocers in the state continue to face challenges. “Our economy consistently outperforms the country as a whole, and last year we ranked as the most improved state for business under the leadership of Gov. Larry Hogan,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, Maryland […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News
PLMA 2022: Three Trends Worth Noticing
Sponsored content The Private Label Manufacturers Association convention is finally back, and better than ever. There’s always a lot to take in at PLMA, and this year was no exception. Experienced con-goers noted big crowds and big energy – but beyond that, there are a few trends worth keeping an eye on as you choose […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Dierbergs Markets To Participate In NGA Foundation’s Competition
The NGA Foundation, the nonprofit of the National Grocers Association, has announced that Missouri-based Dierbergs Markets will be the participating retailer in the 2023 Student Case Study Competition. Hosted annually by the NGA Foundation, the competition brings college students from across the country to the NGA Show where they present solutions to an issue impacting […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
SQFI Names Recipients Of Excellence Awards At Conference
The Safe Quality Food Institute, a division of FMI – The Food Industry Association, has announced Joe Wieland and Karen Vanegas as recipients of the 2022 SQF Excellence Awards at SQF Unites in Orlando, Florida. Wieland was recognized with the Excellence in SQF Auditing Award while Vanegas received the Excellence in SQF Practitioner Leadership Award. Excellence in SQF Auditing award The […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
IRI Shares Upcoming Holiday Report Discussing Inflation, Sales
IRI has updated its Thanksgiving Tracker, showing the latest year-over-year inflation figures by category and examining the historical sales by category in the runup to the holiday. This year, consumers are concerned about inflation, but not worried about shopping earlier to spread out the expense. Thanksgiving is the second-largest holiday in terms of sales uplift […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Guest Contributors, National, Whole Foods
When The Big Get Bigger: Reflecting On Albertsons-Kroger Merger
The biggest recent news in our industry was the announcement that Albertsons and Kroger plan to merge. This isn’t the first time that bigger players have decided to combine forces with an aim to create leverage and scale. Those terms are code for anticipated better pricing from suppliers, reducing costs in infrastructure, converting to common […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Prices Remain Above Pre-Pandemic Levels As Rail Strike Looms
The Consumer Brands Association cautioned that the wholesale prices in the Bureau of Labor Statistics readout show ongoing production cost pressures for consumer packaged goods manufacturers. The October Producer Price Index rose 8 percent over last year and 0.2 percent since September. The CPG industry still faces steep prices for commodities that remain above overall […]