The independent grocer is “alive and well” in Arkansas, according to Steve Goode, president of the Arkansas Grocers & Retail Merchants Association. Recent years have shown that “independent retailers have the ability to adapt and overcome almost any situation.” He said independents were able to overcome COVID, supply and transportation issues in the past three […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, National
IRI Releases Inflation Insights On Consumer Shopping Behavior
IRI has released new insights about food inflation and its impact on consumer shopping behavior using point-of-sale data from July, including data covering all U.S. food channels. July’s data shows that prices of consumer goods remain elevated across categories. Prices for food at-home rose 1.2 percent from the end of June to the end of […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Consumer Brands Releases Statement On July Jobs Report
The jobs report released on Aug. 6 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics more than doubled economists’ expectations, but also showed the consumer packaged goods industry to be a complete outlier with minimal growth, adding to concern about the need for a robust workforce. According to the Consumer Brands Association’s analysis of the July BLS […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Panel Discusses Labor Challenges In Today’s Job Market
How do grocers attract employees and future leaders in today’s challenging job market? Those were the among the topics of a panel discussion at the recent Georgia Food Industry Association convention in Orlando, Florida. The inspiration for the panel came from a presentation at an NGA board meeting. GFIA President Kathy Kuzava listened to economist […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
5 Questions For Kristin Popp
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs The EVP of Janesville, Wisconsin-based Woodman’s Food Markets shares her 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 […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Floods Swallow Isom IGA In Kentucky
From IGA News The morning of July 28 hit different from other Thursdays for Isom IGA Owner and 2007 IGA International Retailer of the Year Gwen Christon. After a 12-hour deluge in eastern Kentucky brought 7-10 inches of rain overnight and raised the North Fork Kentucky River about 11 feet above flood stage – an […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Southeast
GFIA Posts Record Attendance For Popular Annual Conference
More than 900 people attended the recent Georgia Food Industry Association convention, held in Orlando, Florida. The majority of those were retailers, wholesalers and suppliers, according to GFIA President Kathy Kuzava. She cited several highlights of the annual conference: Teross Young, VP of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs for Ahold Delhaize USA, received GFIA’s 2022 […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
NJFC Holds Annual Golf Outing, Reveals Winners
The New Jersey Food Council held its NJFC Annual Golf Outing on July 25 at the Suburban Golf Club in Union Township. Members enjoyed meeting food industry executives representing retailers, manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers and convenience stores from across New Jersey. “This popular event always brings out a great mix of food trade associates and retail […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Taking A Look At Opportunities Ahead For Food At Retail Grocery
by Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO, FMI – The Food Industry Association Sharing a meal with loved ones is among our most physically and emotionally fulfilling daily rituals, perhaps more so in recent years given the upheaval to our routines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As FMI’s recently released U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2022 – […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, West
WAFC COO Christianson Announces Retirement
Carole Christianson, COO of the Western Association of Food Chains, has announced her intention to retire later this year. Culminating a 50-year career in the food and beverage industry and more than 15 years at the helm of the WAFC, Christianson will be retained as an advisor to work with her successor to ensure a […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Releases Power Of Plant-Based Foods, Beverages Report
FMI – The Food Industry Association, has released the “Power of Plant-based Foods and Beverages” report which is the first comprehensive review of the broad plant-based topic, addressing naturally plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains and alternatives to traditional animal-derived items. FMI’s analysis found nearly half of shoppers put a lot […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Glimmers Of Hope Amid Darkness Of Inflation
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs First, the bad news: Inflation continues to, well … inflate. Overall inflation rose another percent from May to June, hitting 9.1 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marking a new 40-year high. Worse, inflation for food eaten at home – grocery – climbed […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
PFMA Awards $68K In Student Scholarships
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association has awarded its 2022 Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarships to 27 students. Recipients are chosen by a panel of judges who review each applicant’s academic record, school and community involvement, recommendations and a submitted essay. Individual scholarship amounts increased this year, awarding every student with a $2,500 scholarship for the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Opportunity Abounds In Iowa, Where Economy Is On Rise
Iowa is continuing to rebound from the 2020 pandemic, ranking No. 1 for opportunity and No. 12 overall in 2022 by The U.S. News and World Report, according to Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association. During its March meeting, the Revenue Estimating Conference projected a 4.2 percent growth in Iowa for fiscal […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Measure Aids Online Market Transparency In Louisiana
The Louisiana Retailers Association led an initiative this year to pass Act 316, legislation that will make it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen goods online. According to Jessica Elliott, executive director of the LRA, the measure will increase online marketplace transparency for consumers and ensure verification of high-volume online sellers. “Grocers have made significant […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Celebrates Winners Of 2022 Community Uplift Awards
FMI – The Food Industry Association has announced the recipients of the 2022 Community Uplift Awards. Out of 14 contest nominees, eight were selected as winners for their standout efforts in addressing food insecurity, neighborhood health needs and youth development. The 2022 winners are Giant Food, Stop & Shop, Hy-Vee Inc., The Giant Company, Schnucks Markets Inc. and Northgate Gonzalez […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
Inflation, Labor, Supply Chain Posing Challenges In Indiana
The economy in Indiana is good and probably one of the best, at least in the Midwest, according to Joe Lackey, president of the Indiana Grocery & Convenience Store Association. “It’s better than almost anything when you go east,” he said. According to Lackey, one reason for that is that every taxpayer will be receiving […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
5 Questions For Rick Brindle
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Rick Brindle, the VP of industry development at Mondelez International, 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 […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Why Are Food Prices Still Rising? Look No Further Than Fertilizer
Fertilizer isn’t a glamorous topic. Far from it. But it’s a key player in the game of rising food costs. Plants need nitrogen, potassium and other nutrients to grow. Add more nutrients in the soil and plants grow bigger, vegetable and fruit yields skyrocket and, in turn, land becomes more productive and profitable. Reverse it […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Welcomes Additional FDA Flexibilities On Infant Formula
FMI has been committed to working with federal agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, throughout the infant formula shortage to identify challenges to and solutions for sourcing infant formula products at grocery stores. In light of FDA’s recent announcement to grant additional flexibilities for increasing the supply of infant formula in the U.S., Leslie G. Sarasin, […]