Each year at their annual holiday event, current and past board members of the Retail Grocers Association of Greater Kansas City (RGA) and Kansas City Food Dealers Association (KFDA) honor someone who has provided service to RGA’s members. This year, RGA President and CEO Jon McCormick presented National Grocers Association (NGA) EVP Greg Ferrara the […]
Category: Association News
WAFC Elects Safeway, Food 4 Less Execs To Its Board
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has elected Kevin Lovell, SVP of operations for Safeway Northern California, and Mike Servold, VP of merchandising for Food 4 Less/Foods Co., to its board of directors during its annual January meeting in La Quinta, California. “We are so excited to welcome two of the most talented grocery […]
N.J. Food Council President Reviews 2018 At Outset Of 2019
Linda Doherty, president of the New Jersey Food Council, looked at what happened in the past year in preparation for this new year. Not much in Trenton surprises me, but occasionally the unexpected arises that has an impact on our membership. Case in point were two significant issues we faced heading into the year. When […]
NCA CEO Addresses Fine Chocolatiers About The Future Of The Chocolate Category
John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association (NCA), spoke at the Fine Chocolate Industry Association’s Elevate Chocolate event in San Francisco on Jan. 12, sharing information about the future of the chocolate category. “There is no end in sight to the emotional and social connections consumers have with chocolate,” Downs said. “But that […]
American Bakers Association President To Join NAM-CMA Board
The American Bakers Association (ABA) President and CEO Robb MacKie will join the board of the National Association of Manufacturers’ (NAM) Council of Manufacturing Associations (CMA). The CMA is made up of more than 260 industry-specific manufacturing associations and is “a vital arm of the NAM,” says ABA. “I am honored to be selected to […]
FMI Applauds SCOTUS Decision To Hear SNAP Data Appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear Food Marketing Institute’s appeal in its case against Argus Leader Media. “We are delighted that the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear our appeal in Food Marketing Institute v. Argus Leader Media,” said FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin. “It is a critically important case that will clarify […]
Saints Quarterback Drew Brees To Close 2019 WAFC Convention
New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees will be the Tuesday morning keynote speaker at the 98th Annual “Advancing the Food Industry Through Education and Leadership” Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) Convention to be held May 4-8, 2019, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, California. Brees has had a banner year in […]
Cattlemen’s Beef Board Welcomes 35 New Members
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in late December announced the appointment of 35 members to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. Producers and importers newly appointed to serve 3-year terms are: Mary Jo Rideout, Red Rock, Arizona Hugh Sanburg, Eckert, Colorado Stephanie Dykshorn, Ireton, Iowa David C. Bruene, Kelley, Iowa Randall W. Debler, Alma, Kansas […]
California Grocers Association Names Kelly Ash VP, Government Relations
The Sacramento-based California Grocers Association (CGA) has named Kelly Ash as VP of government relations, effective Jan. 3. In this position, Ash will serve as the association’s chief lobbyist and be responsible for managing all aspects of CGA’s advocacy efforts. She will represent CGA member companies on strategic advocacy efforts before the State Legislature, regulatory […]
Health Plus Desired Experience Key To Helping People Eat More Fruits And Veggies
Along with a wave of resolutions starting the new year will come a flood of health messages, “eat healthy with more fruits and vegetables” no doubt among them. Turns out those interested in helping consumers boost their fruit and vegetable intake might find greater success going beyond health. New research from Produce Marketing Association (PMA) conducted […]
Sprouts’ Sanders Speaks To NEW Southern California About Leadership
“Equipped to lead” was the theme of an Oct. 11 meeting of the NEW (Network of Executive Women) Southern California chapter and keynote speaker Dan Sanders, COO of Sprouts, came equipped with quite a leadership resume. Moderator Mike Hendry, EVP of merchandising and marketing for Northgate Gonzalez Markets, introduced Sanders as a proven leader specializing […]
NCBA Hails Congressional Approval Of 2018 Farm Bill
In response to Congress’ passage of the 2018 Farm Bill on Wednesday, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Kevin Kester has issued the following statement: “America’s cattlemen and women want common sense and certainty from Congress this holiday season and throughout the year—today they received that through the passage of the Farm Bill. Certainty that […]
AAMP Members Prepare For International Meat Competition
Members of the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) are gearing up to participate in the German Butchers Association’s (DFV) international quality competition for meat products. The competition, held every three years in Frankfurt, Germany, is part of the IFFA, the world’s largest meat industry trade fair. Processors from around the world will attend for a […]
Idaho Potato Display Contest Winner To Receive Hawaiian Getaway
One lucky entrant in the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) 2019 retail display competition will be saying “aloha” to a six-night/seven-day stay at Hawaii’s Royal Lahaina Resort, the grand prize for the annual contest’s sweepstakes drawing. Overlooking Kaanapali Beach on the valley isle of Maui, the resort features nightly live entertainment, an oceanfront luau, three swimming […]
Dairy Groups Applaud Updated NAFTA Pact, Urge Congressional Approval
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) on Nov. 30 commended the Trump Administration for signing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which had been agreed to in principle in September. According to NMPF and USDEC, the pact will benefit America’s dairy sector by maintaining the overall U.S.-Mexico trading structure of […]
Chef Robert Irvine To Emcee FMI Midwinter Fundraiser
Chef and culinary personality Robert Irvine will take the stage to emcee the “Stir It Up!” fundraising event at FMI’s Midwinter Executive Conference on Jan. 27 in Miami, Florida. The event will support the FMI Foundation and its growing family meals movement. “Chef Irvine may be best known for his Food Network shows, Dinner Impossible, Restaurant Impossible, and Worst […]
Annual #HamsAcrossAmerica Campaign Kicks Off In Iowa
In conjunction with Giving Tuesday on Nov. 27, U.S. pig farmers, the National Pork Board, the National Pork Producers Council and state pork associations kicked off the third annual “Hams Across America” campaign. The program’s goal is to highlight the diverse product donations the pork industry makes throughout the year. “As pig farmers, our ‘We Care’ ethical principles […]
GMA President and CEO: ‘GMA’s Best Days Are Ahead’
by Geoff Freeman/Grocery Manufacturers Association president and CEO My first 100 days at GMA have been productive—listening to voices across the industry, identifying areas of common cause and putting in place a high-performing team. Day-by-day, with the help of new senior leadership, we are pivoting from defense to offense. We have analyzed critical functions, targeted […]
IDDBA Seeks Competitors For 24th Annual Cake Decorating Challenge
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association’s (IDDBA) 24th annual Cake Decorating Challenge is approaching. The event will take place during IDDBA 19 in Orlando, Florida, June 2-4. Contestants will compete in a three-day event where they craft and decorate a variety of specialty cakes ranging in size, theme and shape. This challenge is open to supermarket decorators, and contestants will […]
WAFC Elects C&S Wholesale’s Winn To Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) elected Eric Winn, SVP and GM, West Coast and Hawaii, of C&S Wholesale Grocers to its board of directors during its annual meeting in November in San Francisco, California. “I am so excited and pleased to welcome Eric to the board. He brings a lot of passion and […]
