Peter Larkin, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association (N.G.A.), has released the following statement as an initial reaction to the announced settlement In Re Payment Card and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation: “N.G.A. has been engaged in this litigation as a plaintiff for over seven years. We took this action on behalf of independent […]
Tag: legislation
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
How Much Can Congress Cram into a Post-Election Session?
In case you haven’t picked up on it yet, Congress’ post-election session is slated to address a myriad of major issues, ranging from avoiding automatic cuts set in motion after the failure of the Supercommittee to preventing a major tax increase on millions of Americans and businesses when the existing individual rates expire on Dec. […]
Posted in, National
Scholarship Program Provides Family Businesses Insight Into Produce Advocacy
The United Fresh Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2012 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship Program. The program awards up to four scholarships for employees of family-owned businesses to attend United Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Public Policy Conference (WPPC) in October. Scholarship recipients will receive complimentary airfare, hotel and registration to attend the […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
Russell Stover Will Pay $585K Clean Water Act Fine
Russell Stove Candies Inc. will pay a $585,000 penalty as part of a settlement relating to allegations that it violated the federal Clean Water Act. The Kansas City Business Journal reports that the settlement, announced late last week, stems from a 2008 Environmental Protection Agency audit that found problems at Russell Stover’s Iola, Kan., location, […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
Congressman Bested By Teteak In Bagging Competition
The National Grocers Association (N.G.A.) held its first National Best Bagger Congressional Competition (sponsored by Kellogg’s, Bunzl and Pan-Oston) on Wednesday on Capitol Hill. (Click here to view more pictures.) The 2012 national champion, Stephanie Teteak from Larry’s Piggly Wiggly/Kaukauna, Wis., who won the competition at this year’s N.G.A. Show competed against her member of […]
Posted in, National
PMA Commends Senate’s Passage of the 2012 Farm Bill
Bryan Silbermann, president and CEO of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), has issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Senate’s passage of the 2012 farm bill: “PMA commends the Senate for their attention to the needs of specialty crops throughout the 2012 farm bill. This success would not have been a reality without […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
N.G.A. Holding First National Best Bagger Congressional Competition Today
The National Grocers Association (N.G.A.) is holding its first National Best Bagger Congressional Competition (sponsored by Kellogg’s) at 4 p.m. (EST) today, June 20, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The national champion, Stephanie Teteak from Larry’s Piggly Wiggly in Kaukauna, Wis., who won the competition at this year’s N.G.A. Show, will compete against her […]
Posted in, Beverage News, C-Store News, Northeast
Big Apple Forms Grocers Association
Attorneys Brad Gerstman and David Schwartz have announced the formation of NYAGS, the New York Association of Grocery Stores. “We have formed NYAGS, New York Association of Grocery Stores, in order to stop the assault against grocery stores as well as the foodservice industry all over New York by the mayor and other government officials,” […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Kroger Promotes Gestation Crate-Free Environment
The Kroger Co. has begun informing suppliers of a new policy statement regarding gestation crates that are used to house pregnant sows. Kroger says in a news release that it has science-based standards for animal welfare and works diligently to ensure that its suppliers treat animals humanely. Over the past few months, the company has […]
Posted in, Midwest
Pearson Foods Workers Elect Union Representation
Workers at Pearson Foods in Grand Rapdis, Mich., voted for union representation Friday, authorizing the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951 to represent them in contract negotiations with their employer, a fresh-cut food processing company. “Workers at Pearson Foods were looking for some help,” John Cakmakci, UFCW 951’s secretary-treasurer, said. “They wanted to […]
Posted in, Northeast
Chip O’Hare Honored as MFA’s Person of the Year
The Massachusetts Food Association (MFA) honored JOH’s Chairman and CEO Harry “Chip” O’Hare last weekend as its 2012 Person of the Year with the presentation of the Milton W. Segel Distinguished Service Award. O’Hare’s selection was based on his decades of service to the MFA and the CPG industry. O’Hare joined the MFA Board of […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Americans Support Doubling Food Stamp Value At Farmers Markets
Three-quarters of Americans support a nationwide program to double the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly food stamps) when used at farmers markets, according to a recent survey commissioned by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The poll finds strong support for making produce affordable and accessible to all Americans and that, officials at […]
Posted in, West
Contract Talks Continue at Grocery Store Chains
Labor contract talks between union leadership and Raley’s continue with a mediator, and Save Mart Supermarkets has extended it contract with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National
Court Affirms POM’s Right To Inform Consumers Of Products’ Health Benefits
In a 335-page ruling, the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) administrative law judge has upheld POM Wonderful’s right to share valuable, scientifically validated information about the health benefits of its safe food with consumers. Since 1996, POM has been committed to studying the health benefits of the pomegranate, investing more than $35 million to support scientific […]
Posted in, National
Bankruptcy Judge Denies Hostess’ Motion to Reject Teamster Contracts
In a victory for Hostess workers, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain issued an oral decision Monday evening denying Hostess Brands Inc.’s motion to reject all Teamster labor contracts, meaning that all contracts with Teamster local unions remain in effect. “We told our Hostess members all along that we would vigorously oppose the imposition of unjust […]
Posted in, California Perspective, West
Proposed Bills Would Make Grocers Public Health Educators
Lawmakers continue to struggle with priorities as California’s unprecedented “top two” June primary election approaches and lawmakers face voters in newly drawn districts. Uncertainty about political futures has created an odd climate in Sacramento, with more than 2,000 bills introduced in 2012—many of which are rumored to be destined for the trash heap as soon […]
Posted in, Southeast
Publix Saves Two Billion Paper and Plastic Bags
Since 2007, Publix Super Markets has led initiatives to reduce the use of paper and plastic grocery bags used at checkout. The Lakeland, Fla.-based company has emphasized the importance of sustainability by training front service clerks and cashiers to increase the number of items per bag, implementing bag reduction goals for each store, holding communication […]
Posted in, National
Hostess Warns Its 18K U.S. Employees Of Potential Layoffs
Hostess Brands Inc. has sent notices of potential layoff, under the federal WARN act, to all 18,000 employees across the U.S. Irving, Texas-based Hostess, maker of the iconic Twinkie and Wonder Bread, currently is under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. “The notices were sent to alert employees that a sale or wind down of the company […]
Posted in, Industry News, West
Judge Fines Kroger For Inaccurate Labeling, Prices
A California judge has ordered the Kroger Co. and its Ralphs division to pay a civil judgment of nearly $300,000 involving the sales of frozen dairy dessert products and inaccurate unit pricing, the Los Angeles Times reports. California state inspectors, in response to a consumer complaint in 2009, found several flavors of Ralphs and Kroger […]
Posted in, West
Raley’s May Be Facing a Strike; Save Mart Sets May 9 Deadline
Raley’s denied a contract extension with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 5 and Local 8-Golden State on May 1, effectively ending negotiations that had been going on since last summer. The contract for 60,000 union supermarket workers in Northern and Central California actually expired last October. The contract covered Raley’s/Nob Hill, Safeway/Vons and […]