Amid continued disruption, IRI, 210 Analytics and IFPA are bringing the industry the latest trends and analysis in fresh produce. “Inflation has been accelerating since early fall 2021, drought conditions are severe, consumer confidence is low and grocery patterns are switching very rapidly,” said Joe Watson, VP, Retail, Foodservice & Wholesale for IFPA. The four […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Releases Power Of Health, Well-Being In Food Industry Report
FMI – The Food Industry Association has released the “2022 Power of Health and Well-Being in the Food Industry” report, which offers consumer perspectives on health and well-being in the grocery store and an update on industry progress in those areas. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted Americans’ eating habits, with 50 percent of consumers reporting that […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
IRI Gives Insights On Food Inflation, Impact On Shopping Behavior
IRI has released a new report, “August 2022 Price Check: Tracking Retail Food and Beverage Inflation,” with insights about food inflation and its impact on consumer shopping behavior. The insights use the latest point-of-sale data from August and include data covering all U.S. food channels, including e-commerce. Data shows that prices of consumer goods remain […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, West
AFMA Foundation Awards 128 College Scholarships
The Arizona Food Marketing Alliance has funded 128 college scholarships for the 2022-23 school year, culminating to $207,500 for all students. The winners come from a variety of the AFMA’s member companies and include both employees and their dependents. All students will be attending community colleges, colleges or universities in Arizona. This year, there were […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
5 Questions For Richard Wardwell
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs The president of California-based Superior Grocers shares his thoughts on the current state of the industry and what the future holds for independent grocers. The pandemic, a widespread labor shortage, supply chain issues, high fuel prices and conflict in eastern Europe have created a perfect […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
WGA Launches Executive Female Leaders Network
Women Grocers of America has recently launched an exclusive network to provide ongoing support and enhance the career paths of female leaders within the independent grocery industry. Executive Female Leaders Network is a professional peer group, specifically directors and higher, supported by National Grocers Association, with the intention of creating a community of women and […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Southeast
Association Prepares For Satsuma Season With Updated Website
“Favorable late spring weather and more groves reaching maturity have contributed to a heavy set of great-looking fruit as we approach the 2022 Satsuma season,” said Kim Jones, owner of Florida Georgia Citrus and current president of Cold Hardy Citrus Association. “We anticipate a record Satsuma crop for 2022.” The Sweet Valley Citrus region spans […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National
Survey Reports Candy Companies Providing Deeper Transparency
America’s chocolate and candy companies are providing more transparency, choice, and portion guidance options for consumers, according to a report issued Sept. 8 by Partnership for a Healthier America and the National Confectioners Association. The report found that leading chocolate and candy companies – Mars Wrigley, Ferrero, Ferrara Candy Company, Lindt, Ghirardelli Chocolate and Russell Stover Chocolates – met and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, National
FMI Survey Finds Food Industry Investing In Customer Experience
Despite a challenging year marked by a persisting pandemic, historic inflation, supply chain bottlenecks and labor shortages, the food industry is making investments to meet shoppers’ evolving tastes, according to FMI – The Food Industry Association’s annual research report, The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2022. The survey finds that food retailers are focusing on investments in new technologies […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
South Dakota Retailers Names Best Bagger In Annual Competition
Elijah Schipper from Fareway Stores in Harrisburg took the top prize Sept. 3 at the annual South Dakota Best Bagger competition hosted by the South Dakota Retailers Association at the state fair. Sponsored by Associated Wholesale Grocers and NW French and Associates, the annual competition featured some of the quickest baggers in the grocery business […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Are You Catering To The Wellness Shopper?
by Dave Wendland / VP, Strategic Relations, Hamacher Resource Group What does wellness mean to you? I like this definition from the McKinley Health Center of the University of Illinois: “Wellness is a state of optimal well-being that is oriented toward maximizing an individual’s potential.” If we then consider the definition of self-care, according to […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Northeast
NJDA Highlights Jersey Fresh Produce At Stop & Shop
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher visited the Kingsland Avenue Stop & Shop in Clifton Aug. 31 to highlight the store featuring Jersey Fresh in its produce department. Stop & Shop’s 58 New Jersey stores source produce from several local farms from the state. They include Abma’s Farm in Bergen County; Cassaday Farms […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, West
WAFC Announces Leadership Team Changes
The Western Association of Food Chains has announced changes to its leadership team. As Pat Posey takes the helm as COO, several moves took effect Sept. 1. Paul Gianetto, currently serving as the treasurer, was promoted to VP of the WAFC and chairman of the 2023 WAFC Convention. Nancy Lebold, who previously served as secretary, […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National
Seafood Sole Growth Driver Amid High, Rising Inflation
To document the ever-changing nature of the marketplace, IRI, 210 Analytics and Elanco have partnered to report on the latest trends and analysis relative to seafood sales at retail. These measures have resulted in prolonged unit and volume pressure across most categories and even more so for seafood, whether fresh or frozen. July’s seafood inflation […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
UFIA: Inflation In Intermountain West Among Highest In Country
While Utah’s economy remains strong, there are signs it may be slowing with rising interest rates and inflation, according to Dave Davis, president and chief legal officer for the Utah Food Industry Association. The state’s unemployment rate of 2 percent is about 1.5 percent lower than the national average, but Davis said workforce continues to […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
South Dakota Retailers To Host Best Grocery Bagger Competition
The South Dakota Retailers Association is partnering with the state fair to bring the “Best Bagger” competition to the public on Sept. 3. Sponsored by Associated Wholesale Grocers and NW French and Associates, the annual competition features some of the quickest baggers in the grocery business in a fast-paced, head-to-head competition. “This year, we have […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI, NAMI Highlight Mental Health Benefits Of Family Meals
In conjunction with September’s National Family Meals Month, the FMI Foundation celebrates its partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness to highlight the mental health benefits of family meals. Family meals provide opportunities to spend time and develop relationships with family and friends, which has been shown to improve mental and physical health. In fact, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
MGA Holds Annual Best Bagger Contest
The Minnesota Grocers Association held its 34th annual statewide Best Bagger Contest Aug. 27 at MGA’s office in St. Paul, Minnesota. Contestants came from across the state to compete for the title. The eight participants were judged on speed, style, attitude, proper bag-building technique and weight distribution between the bags. Contest attendees witnessed the art […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Driving Profits With Own-Branded Spirits
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs The demand for private-label products is increasing, along with a desire among consumers for products with authenticity. Independent grocers can unite these interests and boost their profits with own-branded spirits. The National Grocers Association hosted a recent webinar that presented a guidebook to the world […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
MGA’s Shaul Hopes Industry Learns From Supply Chain Reaction
Dan Shaul, executive director of the Missouri Grocers Association, and his members are dealing with many of the same issues that consistently trouble the industry nationwide, with supply chain challenges and labor shortages atop the list. These issues have been exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are just symptoms of each other, according to […]