The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) formally announced its 2026 Board of Directors and Executive Committee on April 20, led by Chairperson Mark Cheney of Upstate Niagara Cooperative. The newly elected slate was presented by PLMA’s Nominating Committee, John Galioto of Trinidad Benham Corp. and Alissa Lodahl of Masters Gallery Foods, during PLMA’s Annual Meeting […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, National, News
NGA Concludes Inaugural Leadership Institute At Mount Vernon
The National Grocers Association, in conjunction with the NGA Foundation, has concluded its inaugural NGA Leadership Institute at George Washington’s historic Mount Vernon. Held April 13-15, the program delivered an immersive leadership experience for grocery industry executives from across the country. Designed for upper-level management and key decision-makers, the NGA Leadership Institute challenged participants to […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, Featured News, Midwest, News
PLMA Preps For 2026 Private Label Trade Show In November
The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has scheduled its 2026 Private Label Trade Show for Nov. 15-17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago. Themed the “Store Brands Marketplace,” the event serves as a central hub for thousands of manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers to develop and expand private label programs. Registration for retailers […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, News, Southeast
AGEF Golf Outing Raises More Than $53K For Scholarships
The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation (AGEF) held its annual golf outing April 9 at Timberline Golf Club in Calera, Alabama. The event, presented by Buffalo Rock/Pepsi, brought together members of the grocery industry and raised more than $53,000 to support the foundation’s scholarship programs. To date, the event has resulted in more than $1.5 million […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
IFPA Members Bring Fresh Produce, Florals To White House Easter Egg Roll
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and its member companies participated in the 148th White House Easter Egg Roll, bringing fresh produce and floral displays to one of the nation’s most recognized traditions. Held on the South Lawn and dating back to 1878, the public event is the largest hosted each year at the White […]
Posted inC-Store News, Association News, National, News
NACS Adds Four New Hires To Leadership Teams
NACS, the national association for convenience and fuel retailers, welcomed four new team members in recent weeks across fundraising, accounting, digital marketing and editorial roles. Ali Dunne joined the NACS Foundation on April 8 as director of fundraising and partnerships. She previously served as senior manager of strategic alliances at First Book. Dunne has a […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Chicago Selected As Home Of NCSA’s Candy Hall Of Fame Experience
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has selected Chicago as the permanent home of the Candy Hall of Fame Experience, a 60,000-square-foot, multi-level facility set to open in summer 2027 at 830 N. Michigan Ave. on the city’s Magnificent Mile. Chicago was chosen over Orlando and New York City following a national evaluation. The city’s […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News, Produce News, Supply Chain News
CBP Building Centralized Refund System for IEEPA Tariff Duties
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is developing a centralized system to refund duties collected under tariffs imposed through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which the Supreme Court struck down in February. The agency expects the refund mechanism to be operational later this spring. The refund process is being built within CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, News, Northeast
PFMA Sets 2026 Annual Conference For May 12-13 In Bedford, PA
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) will hold its 2026 Annual Conference from May 12-13 at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pennsylvania. The two-day event brings together retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, convenience store operators and solution providers for education, networking and industry discussion. “PFMA’s Annual Conference is an opportunity for the industry to come […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Main Street Competition Coalition Expands Into Permanent Advocacy Organization
The Main Street Competition Coalition (MSCC) is formalizing its structure as a permanent advocacy organization, expanding its mission beyond Robinson-Patman Act enforcement to challenge market power abuses across grocery, pharmacy and agriculture. The coalition – founded by the National Grocers Association (NGA) and the National Community Pharmacists Association – describes itself as the first business-backed […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, News, Northeast
PFMA Adds C&S Wholesale Grocers Exec To Board Of Directors
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has appointed Joy Sgro, VP and general manager at C&S Wholesale Grocers, to its board of directors. Sgro brings more than 40 years of experience in food and beverage wholesale distribution, merchandising and independent grocer support. “Supporting independent grocers has been the focus of my career, and I appreciate […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Ohio Grocers Navigate Consolidation, Rising Costs, Changing Consumer
Ohio enters 2026 as one of the nation’s most economically competitive states, though a mix of national headwinds and shifting federal policy creates uncertainty in the year ahead. The state’s gross domestic product reached $979 billion in the third quarter of 2025 – the highest on record, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
IFPA Releases 2026 U.S. Policy Agenda To Advance Industry Priorities
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has released its 2026 U.S. Public Policy Agenda, a six-pillar framework covering workforce, nutrition access, producer economics, trade, supply chain infrastructure and food safety. The agenda arrives amid heightened legislative and regulatory activity in Washington. “Every one of these priorities is grounded in what our members tell us they […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National, Snacks Brands
NCA Announces Senior Leadership Promotions
National Confectioners Association (NCA) President and CEO John Downs has announced a series of senior leadership promotions across the organization. Brian McKeon has been promoted to EVP of public policy and regulatory affairs, while Christopher Gindlesperger has been named EVP of public affairs and communications. Both will take on expanded roles in advancing NCA’s agenda […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, National
NGA Foundation Offers Free Grant Writing Support For Independents
The National Grocers Association Foundation (NGAF) has announced a new initiative offering free, grant writing support to NGA members applying for funding through America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund, known as the HFFI FARE Fund. The service, delivered through the foundation’s Grocer Solutions Center, is designed to help independent grocers […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, Finance News, News, Northeast
PFMA Announces 2026 PA DECA Scholar
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has named Rishabh Jain of Downingtown STEM Academy as its 2026 PA DECA Scholar. Jain, a senior, compiled four years of competitive achievement, chapter leadership and community entrepreneurship in DECA. At the Pennsylvania State Career Development Conference, he placed first in entrepreneurship events. He followed that with a fourth-place […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA To Spotlight Younger Consumer Trends Tn 2026 State Of Retail Session
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) will present The Pulse of Retail: IFPA’s 2026 State of Retail at The Retail Conference & Golf Tournament April 27-29 in Phoenix, delivering a forward-looking analysis of the trade shifts and consumer trends shaping the future of fresh. Designed as a fast-paced, insight-driven session, The Pulse of Retail will provide […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
WGA Names Maurer President, Zambo Vice Chair
Women Grocers of America (WGA) has appointed Kristie Maurer, owner of Maurer’s Urban Market, as its new president, and Donna Zambo, EVP and chief information and marketing officer at Allegiance Retail Services, as vice chair. The two succeed outgoing President Kristin Popp and Vice Chair Heidi Huff, whose tenure expanded WGA’s national presence and strengthened […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, National, News, Nonfood Items
Inspired Home Show 2026 Draws Buyers From More Than 100 Countries
The Inspired Home Show 2026 wrapped its three-day run at Chicago’s McCormick Place on March 12, bringing together more than 1,000 exhibitors, thousands of brands and attendees from some 100 countries. U.S.-based buyers represented more than 100,000 retail locations and nearly $75 billion in buying power. The show, produced annually by the International Housewares Association […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, Featured News, News, Northeast
Wawa’s Edwards Joins PFMA Board Of Directors
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has added Christopher Edwards, director of store operations for Wawa, to its board of directors. Edwards, who brings more than 20 years of hospitality and retail leadership experience to the board, leads Wawa’s store operations across Delaware County through Central Pennsylvania. Since joining Wawa in 2014, he has held […]