The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has appointed Abir Akhand, industry engagement manager for Altria Group Distribution Co., to its board of directors. Akhand, who leads Altria’s advocacy efforts in Pennsylvania and the Northeast, brings eight years of industry experience, including recent work efforts in the Midwest. He previously managed retail and wholesale accounts based […]
Category: Association News
Posted inFinance News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NGA Opposes OCC Rule Allowing Banks To Set Swipe Fees Via Third Parties
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has submitted comments to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) opposing an interim final rule that would permit national banks to establish interchange (swipe) fees through third‑party arrangements rather than through bank‑to‑bank competition. The rule revises 12 C.F.R. § 7.4002 and relates to the Illinois Interchange Fee […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
PFMA Annual Conference Draws Food Leaders To Bedford, PA
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) welcomed members, wholesalers, vendors and industry partners to the 2026 PFMA Annual Conference, held May 12-13 at Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pennsylvania. The conference brought together leaders across Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry for two days of networking, education and industry‑focused conversations. The event featured a mini […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, News, West
CGAEF Honors 3 Leaders For Service, Tops $1M In Scholarship Funds For Year
April 16 proved an eventful day for the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation as it inducted three industry veterans into its Hall of Achievement and raised more than $500,000 to help fund its college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs. With the latest contributions, the CGAEF has secured about $1,025,000 in scholarship commitments this year, bringing […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Association News, National, News
FMI, NGA Applaud Trump Administration’s Rollback Of Refrigeration Rules
President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced revisions to two commercial refrigeration rules May 21, drawing praise from FMI – The Food Industry Association and the National Grocers Association (NGA), which said the changes will spare grocery retailers – especially independent operators – from an estimated $144 billion in compliance costs. The final EPA […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
National Rural Grocery Summit Spotlights Solutions For Rural Food Access
More than 300 rural grocery operators, community advocates, policymakers, vendors and researchers gathered May 5-7 in Fargo, North Dakota, for the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit – a biennial event focused on sustaining independent rural grocery stores and improving food access in small communities. Attendees representing 42 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada convened at what […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
IDDBA’s CEO Search Signals Start Of Leadership Transition
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) has launched a search for its next president and CEO, with the leadership transition coming at a pivotal time as the organization shapes innovation and commerce across the fresh food landscape. IDDBA’s board of directors has retained executive search firm Herd Freed Hartz to guide the selection process. The […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Association News, Featured News, National, News
FMI Report Finds Shoppers Visit More Than 5 Grocery Banners Per Month
FMI – The Food Industry Association has released the U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2026 report, outlining elements of the evolving physical grocery shopping experience that build consumer loyalty and repeat visits. “In an effort to fulfill their unique definitions of value, consumers visit more than five separate grocery store banners on average per month despite growing […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, News, Snacks Brands, West
Billie-Ann Plastics Wins Ruby Award For Sustainable Packaging Innovation
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has named Billie-Ann Plastics Packaging Corp. as the winner of the 2026 Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation for its RPET Clear Cylinder with Optional Snap In/Snap On Top and Printing. The award was presented during the Sweets & Snacks Expo Awards Ceremony May 18 in Las Vegas. Created in 2018, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NGA Honors KS Senator With Spirit Of America Award At Fly-In
The National Grocers Association (NGA) presented U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) with its Spirit of America Award on May 19 during opening day of the 2026 Fly-In for Fair Competition in Washington, D.C. Established in 1982, the award recognizes those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in community service and government relations on behalf of the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, Featured News, News, West
WAFC Elects 2026-27 Leadership During Annual Convention
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has announced its 2026-27 officers and board of directors, elected May 3-5 at the 2026 WAFC Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Rebecca Calvin, EVP and CMO of Stater Bros. Markets, was elected president chairperson. Other officers include: Vice President: Wendy Coldesina, VP general merchandise manager, Costco Wholesale; Treasurer: […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, News, Northeast
NJFC Leadership Development Class Attends NGA Advocacy Training
In early May, members of the 2026 New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) Leadership Development Class traveled to Washington, D.C., for a two-day experience focused on federal advocacy and leadership in the food industry. The trip included an introduction to NJFC’s federal partners at the National Grocers Association (NGA) and a tour of Capitol Hill. “In […]
Posted inBeverage News, Association News, National, News
Bottled Water Names No. 1 Packaged Beverage For 10th Straight Year
For the 10th consecutive year, bottled water was the nation’s No. 1 packaged beverage by volume in 2025, according to data released May 13 by the Beverage Marketing Corporation on behalf of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA). Bottled water outsold all other packaged beverages as health-conscious and price-aware consumers continued switching from other drinks. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News, Supply Chain News
FMI: Global Conflict, Rising Energy Costs Put Upward Pressure On Food Prices
Cargo ships stalled in the Strait of Hormuz. Fertilizer prices that have effectively doubled for American farmers. A Sierra Nevada snowpack that never materialized. The pressures bearing down on the U.S. food supply chain in 2026 are coming from multiple directions at once – and according to experts from FMI – The Food Industry Association, […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southeast
Registration Opens For IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show In Orlando
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has opened registration for the 2026 Global Produce & Floral Show, which is set for Oct. 14-16 and returns to Orlando, Florida, for the first time in several years. The gathering brings together the global fresh produce and floral supply chain for three days of connection, insight, and business […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NGA, NCPA Join Main Street Competition Coalition
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the National Grocers Association (NGA) have joined the newly-formed Main Street Competition Coalition (MSCC), a cross-sector effort to push back against big corporations that use market dominance to squeeze out smaller competitors. Founding investors in the project, NCPA and NGA represent thousands of Main Street businesses that often […]
Posted inFinance News, Association News, National, News
Food-At-Home Prices Jump 0.7% As Energy Costs Squeeze Supply Chain
Food-at-home prices rose 0.7 percent in April – the sharpest monthly increase so far this year – as energy market disruptions and ongoing supply chain pressures pushed grocery costs higher for American families and retailers alike. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported May 12 that the overall Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NGA, FMI Praise House Passage Of ORC Act, Citing Threat To Independents
The National Grocers Association (NGA) and FMI – The Food Industry Association have praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the “Combating Organized Retail Crime Act” (HR 2853), calling the bipartisan measure a critical tool in the fight against theft rings that are squeezing independent grocers. In a letter of support sent to the […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCA Appoints Abbott VP Of Membership, Business Development
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has appointed Carrie Abbott as VP of membership and business development. Abbott will lead the organization’s efforts to grow member company engagement, strengthen industry partnerships and expand business opportunities across the confectionery industry. Abbott brings extensive industry experience as the founder and CEO of Newfangled Confections, where she built a […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Featured News, News, Southeast
Kueffner: NC Grocers Maneuvering To Meet Regulatory Rules, Consumer Needs
Lindsey Kueffner, executive director of the Carolinas Food Industry Council, is in the midst of a busy legislative season in North Carolina that got under way April 21. Nevertheless, she took time to respond to questions from The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Lorrie Griffith about the state’s grocery industry and some of the challenges […]