In a five to four ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday backed American Express and its rules prohibiting retailers from steering customers to use other, less expensive credit cards. The response from retail organizations was swift, with the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) saying it was “disappointed” with the ruling and the National Retail Federation calling […]
Tag: legislation
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, National
House Passes Farm Bill With New SNAP Work Requirements
After weeks of negotiations hinging not just on differences over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but also on immigration policy, the House of Representatives has passed its version of a new Farm Bill on a 213-211 vote. The Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 would replace the current Agricultural Act of 2014 when it […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National
FMI: Supreme Court Sales Tax Decision Levels Competition In Food Retail
In a 5-4 decision in the case of South Dakota v. Wayfair, the Supreme Court has voted to overturn a 1992 ruling (Quill Corp. v. North Dakota) that prevented states from collecting sales tax on remote transactions unless the taxed company has a physical presence in the state. Quill was handed down in the days when the internet was […]
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No New SNAP Work Requirements In ‘Bipartisan’ Senate Farm Bill
The Senate Agriculture Committee on Friday released its version of the Farm Bill, which is expected to receive bipartisan support. Notably missing from the Senate bill are provisions from the House’s version that would have introduced new work requirements to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Industry reactions to the House bill were mixed, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Content, Shelby Originals, Shelby Signature Content, Store News, West, Whole Foods
Washington Market Profile: Challenges, But Growth, Too
by Lorrie Griffith/editor-West One of the dichotomies in a state like Washington is that while there are major metropolitan areas like Seattle, there also are extremely rural areas. But, of course, both are subject to the same state laws, like the $12 an hour minimum wage that went into effect this year that will go […]
Posted inCalifornia Perspective, Association News, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content, West
California Perspective: Relationship-Building Plays Important Role In The Political Process
by Ron Fong/president and CEO, California Grocers Association Success in government relations often is rooted in the connections developed with legislators over the years. While politics, and lobbying specifically, is by its nature an adversarial pursuit, good government relations separate the conflict from the person you conflict with. Legislation comes and goes, but legislators stay […]
Posted inBeverage News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Market Profile, Midwest, Shelby Content, Shelby Originals, Shelby Signature Content
Indiana Now Has Sunday Sales, Which Is…Great?
by Terrie Ellerbee/editor-Midwest Anyone who wanted to grab a cold beer on Sunday in Indiana was out of luck until March of this year. That is when a state law took effect allowing Sunday alcohol sales. Now a customer can get a cold one on Sunday, but only from a liquor store. Grocery, drug and […]
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House Legislators Fail To Pass Farm Bill Over SNAP, Immigration Debate
The U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass the $867 billion farm bill today. The vote was 198-213. According to multiple sources, the failure was due in part to Democrats’ opposition to work requirements for those participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). On the Republican side, the House Freedom Caucus wanted to include […]
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HR & Benefits News: Believing ACA Rumors Can Be Costly
Editor’s note: HR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. Believing rumors about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can be costly for grocers. For example, many companies mistakenly believed that ACA wouldn’t be enforced, but the IRS has recently started sending out penalty letters for […]
Posted inFood Service News, Association News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National
Menu Labeling Rules Now In Effect, Industry Responds
After two delays, Obama-era rules requiring chain restaurants and grocery stores to post the calorie counts of prepared foods on menus and menu boards went into effect on May 7. The rules, part of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, apply to chains with at least 20 stores. They’re intended to help consumers make healthier choices […]
Posted inBeverage News, Association News, Food City, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Southeast
TGCSA Celebrates Sunday Sales Victory Ahead Of June Convention
In April, the Tennessee General Assembly passed, and Gov. Bill Haslam signed, legislation that will allow retail food stores to sell wine on Sundays. The new law, which was sponsored by Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) and Rep. Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga), paves the way for Sunday wine sales in grocery stores beginning in January 2019. When […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, California Perspective, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Packaging News, Shelby Content, Sustainability News, West
California Perspective: We Can Fight City Hall—And We Should
by Ron Fong/president and CEO, California Grocers Association Local governments across the country have become emboldened to legislate on issues they never considered. Likely due to the action or inaction of federal and state governments, cities and counties feel it is a duty and opportunity to regulate on the bleeding-edge policy. California has always been […]
Posted inThe Independent Perspective, Association News, Home Page Latest News, National, Shelby Content
Larkin: Setting The Record Straight On SNAP
by Peter Larkin/ president and CEO, National Grocers Association Special to The Shelby Report In April, NGA—alongside the Food Marketing Institute (FMI)—welcomed supermarket retailers, wholesalers and food industry state association executives from across the nation to Washington, D.C., for the annual “Day in Washington” supermarket industry fly-in. The timing of the fly-in could not have been more […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, West
Former Law Enforcement Officer Honored As CGA Legislator Of The Year
Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) was awarded the California Grocers Association (CGA) 2018 Legislator of the Year Award during CGA’s annual Grocers Day at the Capitol event on early this month. Cooper was honored for “being an exemplary public servant and a friend of the grocery industry in California,” said CGA First Vice Chair Kendra […]
Posted inDairy News, Association News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National
National Milk Producers Federation Lauds Spending Bill For Dairy Pride Act Language
The congressional spending bill signed by the President on March 23 directs the FDA to take action against imitation dairy foods, “representing a victory for farmers and consumers alike,” said the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) in a response to the bill. The omnibus spending bill to fund the government for the remainder of Fiscal […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Association News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National
Industry Reacts To Bipartisan Policy Center Report On SNAP
In 2017, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) launched a 13-member task force to explore strategies for promoting healthy nutrition through public programs and policies related to food and health. The task force focused on what it says are opportunities to strengthen and improve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to more […]
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Recommended: Colorado’s Escalating War Over Full-Strength Beer Sales Takes A New Turn
The escalating war over full-strength beer sales took a new turn today at the Colorado Capitol after a rural Republican senator introduced a bill that would make it harder for grocers and convenience stores to add shelf space and more kinds of malt beverages. The measure also would create a new license for those stores […]
Posted inNortheast, Association News
Alcohol Sales & Distribution Laws Among PFMA Legislative Priorities
Alcohol wholesale and retail sales reform remains a top legislative priority this year for the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA). “PFMA made great progress on long-standing issues in 2017, and we will work with our members in 2018 to get our priority legislation passed into law,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO. PFMA plans to continue […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, National, Store News
Independent Grocers Urge Congress To Oppose ‘Harvest Box’ Proposal
The National Grocers Association (NGA) sent a letter on behalf of the independent supermarket industry to Capitol Hill on Friday, March 2, urging opposition to the White House’s harvest box proposal, which would drastically change the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by replacing about 40 percent of SNAP benefits with a government run food delivery […]
Posted inThe Independent Perspective, Association News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content
Larkin: Five Priorities For Independent Grocers In The 2018 Farm Bill
by Peter Larkin/ president and CEO, National Grocers Association Special to The Shelby Report Congress has the chance to strengthen the food security safety net, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, for recipients and retailers in the 2018 Farm Bill. Every five years, Congress must pass a comprehensive omnibus bill that’s one of […]