Category: Association News

FMI – The Food Industry Association strongly opposes legislation, the Open and Responsive Government Act, introduced by Senators Chuck Grassley, Patrick Leahy and Dianne Feinstein. Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO, offered comment:  “In 2019, FMI sought to protect the confidentiality of store-level sales data for retailers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The […]

The Consumer Brands Association has released a new report outlining five trends that will shape the future of the consumer-packaged goods industry. The CPG Post-Pandemic Outlook: Five Trends Emerging from COVID-19 That Will Redefine the Industry estimates demand for consumer-packaged goods will slow from the extreme highs experienced during COVID-19 but stay well above pre-pandemic norms, even as […]

NGA’s “Five Questions” is a regular feature that explores the insights of independent grocery operators. This week, David Smith, president and CEO of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., shares his thoughts with us.   What were the most important lessons of 2020? As grocers, I think the most critical lesson is rooted in independent grocers’ tremendous agility […]

It goes without saying that 2020 was an intense year, especially for independent retailers and their teams. Unexpected out-of-stocks, new safety procedures rolling out every week, implementing special shopping hours for at-risk populations – retailers and their teams used their independent flexibility and ingenuity to adapt in ways they could have never imagined even a […]

The National Grocers Association, the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, applauds the enhancements to national nutrition programs included in the American Rescue Plan signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11. Of particular benefit to the many Americans served by independent community grocers is the provision for $25 million to promote […]

by Greg Ferrara / President and CEO, National Grocers Association Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords of the times. They are concepts that, when embraced, can have a positive and profound impact on one’s business. Our nation continues to become increasingly more diverse, and with it the base of consumers upon which independent community […]

Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI – The Food Industry Association has been named the 2021 Association CEO of the Year by CEO Update. This recognition is awarded annually to the outstanding trade association CEO. “The FMI Board of Directors felt strongly that Leslie should be recognized, and so we as board members collaborated on […]

The Refrigerated Foods Association recognized its new leaders at the Virtual Awards Ceremony on Feb. 26. Lauren Edmonds of St. Clair Foods is now president, following Josh Knott of Knott’s Foods’ term in office. Karen Bishop Carbone of Boston Salads & Prepared Foods Corp. will serve as VP and conference chair. Tom Davis of  Lakeview […]

Citing input from event exhibitors, members and the board of directors who represent the industry, the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) has announced the decision to cancel this year’s trade show. “With the ongoing global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and our promise to deliver an experience expected of the IDDBA, continuing to plan […]

FMI—The Food Industry Association has released the 2021 Power of Seafood, which finds the seafood department was a leading driver in the percentage of increased grocery sales in 2020, with a 28.4 percent increase in sales. This exceeded the sales growth of the produce, meat or deli departments. In total, seafood (fresh, frozen, canned, pouches, etc.) generated more […]

The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association will hold its 29th annual Executive Conference April 19-21, as an all-digital experience. Attendees can look forward to insights and industry information on growth, trends and future outlooks from industry experts, including a retail presentation by Rebecca Lupfer, VP of center store merchandising for The Giant Co. The NFRA Executive […]

NGA’s “Five Questions” is a regular feature that explores the insights of independent grocery operators. This week, Joe Wolf, president of Alliance Retail Group, shares his thoughts with us. What was the most important lesson of 2020? The need for flexibility. We had to be able to react to unique circumstances constantly changing and be […]