Posted inShelby Exclusives, Association News, Home Page Slider, West

Jan Gee Looking Forward To Upcoming Retirement; Successor Ready For New Role

Jan Gee, the Washington Food Industry Association’s long-serving executive and lobbyist, said she is looking forward to her retirement, especially being able to spend more time with her family. Gee has served as president and CEO of the WFIA since 2006. Her successor, Tammie Hetrick, has been working with Gee during a transition phase and […]

Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Northeast, Shelby Exclusives

Market Profile: Hybrid Business Model Helped Steady Santoni’s Marketplace And Catering

When events collapsed during quarantine, grocery side took off by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Lou Santoni and his brother, Rick, own Santoni’s Marketplace and Catering in Baltimore County, Maryland. And they were fortunate during the COVID-19 pandemic to have the grocery business to lean on. “COVID had a huge impact [on catering],” Santoni said. “We […]

Posted inSupply Chain News, Guest Contributors, Home Page Slider, National

Column: GCCA Offers Overview Of Global Cold Storage Capacity Report

by Matt Ott, president and CEO, Global Cold Chain Alliance As much of the world continues to shelter in place, essential workers at every link of the global cold supply chain are working tirelessly to get food to our dinner tables.  From product storage and packaging to seamless cold chain transit, from shipping to reliable point-of-sale […]

Posted inMeijer, Anniversary Issues, Independent Store News, Midwest

Meijer Store Director Larry Levin Celebrates 50-Year Anniversary

Larry Levin is celebrating his 50-year anniversary with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer at the Cedar Springs location as the current store director. “This is just what I’ve always done, and I am proud of where it has taken me,” said Levin. “Customers tell me they’re surprised by how much they see me walking through the aisles […]

Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Shelby Exclusives, Southeast

Market Profile: Grant’s IGA Store Locations Serve As ‘Lifeline’ To Their Communities

Co-owner: Many towns would be ‘food deserts if we weren’t there’ by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer The way Ron Martin sees it, small-town local grocery stores like those operated by Virginia-based Grant’s IGA are “a lifeline to the community.” Without them, many towns would be left without access to fresh food. Grant is president and […]

Posted inROFDA Reports, Home Page Slider, Shelby Exclusives, Southwest

Randy Arceneaux: Board Members’ Weekly Calls ‘Helped Us To Build An Even Closer Bond’

by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer As far as Randy Arceneaux is concerned, Affiliated Foods Inc. of Amarillo’s retail partners have been the frontline heroes throughout the coronavirus pandemic. “They are taking care of feeding America,” said Arceneaux, the company’s president and CEO. “All of the protocols they had to put in place in order […]

Posted inROFDA Reports, Home Page Slider, Shelby Exclusives, Southeast

Manard Lagasse: ROFDA Really Does ‘Some Outstanding Things’

by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Across the landscape of 2020 – COVID and all – Manard Lagasse Jr. is proudest of retailers’ consistent approach to business through such a difficult time. “We’re in a lot of small communities, and their customers rely on their local grocery stores. Our retailers did everything they could to service […]

Posted inROFDA Reports, Home Page Slider, Shelby Exclusives, West

Ray Sprinkle: Camaraderie Is Key – ‘Bottom Line…We’re All Facing The Same Thing’

by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer The grocery industry was not prepared for the volume jump that came with the unprecedented coronavirus outbreak. To see it happen nationally, said Ray Sprinkle, was unprecedented. Disasters that affect volume, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, typically occur regionally. Demand was at an all-time high in the spring. However, […]