Virginia’s economy has shown resilience and improvement compared to last year, according to Melissa Assalone, executive director of the Virginia Food Industry Association. “Despite ongoing challenges and a reduction in federal money coming into Virginia, there are positive economic indicators such as job growth and increased consumer spending,” she said. Assalone noted the grocery sector […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
By The Numbers, An Advocacy Review And Policy Outlook For Independent Grocers
With an election on the horizon in which the White House and control of Congress are on the line, 2024 is shaping up to be an interesting year. Pending legislation and regulatory changes in the coming year are sure to influence business operations, supply chain management and consumer expectations – and indeed, they’re influencing NGA’s […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Applauds Power-Buyer Scrutiny In New Merger Guidelines
The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice released their final version for new merger enforcement guidelines on Dec. 18. The final guidelines include substantial revisions to the existing standards, introducing new considerations for mergers that enhance buyer power. In a significant shift, the guidelines issued strongly consider how buyer power impacts competition amongst rival […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, Produce News
EFI’s Programs Expanded To Benefit More Growers, Buyers, Farmworkers
Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is celebrating a year of progress in 2023 toward its mission to offer a full suite of supply chain assurance programs to the fresh produce industry. The group celebrated a new program launch, grew its staff and streamlined certification to make it more cost effective for growers starting in 2024. EFI […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Maryland’s Budget Deficit May Hinder Business Improvements
While holiday spending has been bolstered by lower food prices in Maryland, the state’s upcoming legislative session could bring major changes, according to Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Food Industry Council. MFIC is focused on three major issues for the upcoming session, which begins in January. Across the 90-day session, it hopes to see […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Northeast
New Jersey’s Grocery Industry Strong, ‘Uber Competitive’
The economy in New Jersey is a tale of two cities, according to Linda Doherty, president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council. New Jersey was recently ranked as the most improved state for business, climbing 23 spots to 19th in America’s Top States for Business rankings by CNBC. This past year, it saw […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest
Labor, Retail Crime Challenge Wisconsin Grocers
Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, said the Badger State is not immune to challenges such as inflation and price increases. “It affects us just as much as everybody else.” Scholz noted the dairy industry in the state remains strong and is an important part of the Wisconsin economy. “Overall, I […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Key Wins, Grassroots Support Highlight NGA’s Advocacy Year In Review
by Max Wengroff / NGA Coordinator, Government Relations and Membership This has been a busy year for the National Grocers Association (NGA’s) Government Relations team in Washington. We faced a torrent of new regulations from the Biden administration and, despite Congressional chaos, we managed to put some points on the board. We have faced both […]