Oct 27, 2017
Larkin: Health And Taste Drive Fresh Foods Momentum The verdict is in about fresh foods: Shoppers are prioritizing health and taste as the top reasons for consuming fresh items. Moreover, produce ranks as the most important fresh department to shoppers. And in an era of multi-channel retail competition, supermarkets still command a huge share of…
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Oct 24, 2017
The U.S. tax code hasn’t been updated in over 30 years when Ronald Reagan was in the White House, but lawmakers have the best opportunity in years to pass tax reform that will spur growth among the independent supermarket industry. That momentum grew as the “Big Six”—leaders from the House, Senate, and White House—unveiled a…
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Oct 20, 2017
Independent Grocers Donate 847K Meals to Feeding America The NGA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the National Grocers Association, raised nearly $77,000, or 846,553 meals, for Feeding America as part of the first-ever Independence Day of Giving campaign. The donation was presented as a check to Nancy Curby, SVP of corporate partnerships and operations at…
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Oct 20, 2017
By Chris Campbell at The Food Institute Autumn is officially upon us, but it doesn’t feel like it at the Food Institute headquarters where we are still contending with ninety degree days. However, in the spirit of the season, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) published its annual fall survey regarding the price of grocery…
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Oct 20, 2017
There has been much talk about the increasing urbanization of the U.S. population in recent years. According to the Census Bureau data, the population of metro areas increased by 2.3 million people from 2012 to 2013. Much of the city living trend can be attributed to young professionals and Baby Boomers who are moving into…
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Oct 13, 2017
Grocery Store Bagger Alysha Orrok to Compete in National Competition You have probably heard the expression fastest gun in town, but Alysha Orrok has earned “bagging rights” as the fastest grocery bagger in the state. Orrok, 25, who is also a Rochester kindergarten teacher, will be heading to Las Vegas in February, to [The NGA…
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Oct 13, 2017
A new study by ChargeItSpot has found what many independent grocers already know to be true: store associates who prioritize customer service make all the difference. In fact, the results found that the interaction is even more important to a growing consumer base: Millennials. Store associates are extremely important to millennials A major highlight of…
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Oct 12, 2017
West Seattle Thriftway, an independent grocer located at the heart of West Seattle’s Morgan Junction, is proud of their gourmet cheese department. It’s no wonder why—Americans are crazy about cheese. Most consume 35 pounds of cheese each year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a 43 percent increase over the past 25 years.…
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Oct 10, 2017
October marks National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time to bring to light thepotential threats of theft and fraud that both retailers and consumers face when they go online. The recent Equifax data breach grabbed headlines for the magnitude and extent of stolen data, with nearly 143 million American consumers sensitive personal information being exposed. But,…
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Oct 6, 2017
Scarborough Grocery Employee Bags Best-in-State Title There will be no crushed eggs, bread or lopsided bags to carry when you check out with the best grocery bagger in Maine. Alex Matos, 22, of South Portland, won the title – and a trip to compete for the national grand prize of $10,000 early next year –…
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Oct 6, 2017
The independent supermarket industry has a long history of stepping up when their communities need them most. It’s often what sets the industry apart from national chains, like during the Great Flood of 2016. During Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, independent grocers once again pitched in wherever they could. Brookshire Grocery Co. sends out the 18-wheelers…
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Oct 4, 2017
Between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates and highlights all the ways the Hispanic community strengthens American communities. To help honor this important time, we’re highlighting the growing Hispanic supermarket format and the many things they bring to the food retail industry. Many Hispanic supermarkets are succeeding where many traditional retailers have…
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Oct 3, 2017
Hurricane Maria has brought life-threatening storm surges, rainfall, and wind hazards to Puerto Rico. To help supermarkets in the path of the hurricane, NGA has compiled federal resources below, and will continue to update the information. USDA Foods FNS worked with the Puerto Rico Department of Family to approve a Disaster Household Distribution program which…
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Oct 2, 2017
By Matt Foley Senior Manager of Government Relations With shoppers visiting supermarkets often more than once a week, independent grocers have long been committed to protecting shoppers’ personal information. Many go above and beyond current security requirements by investing millions of dollars toward instituting end-to-end encryption, tokenization, and further exploring best practices and emerging technologies…
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Sep 29, 2017
Industry Cheers ‘Big Six’ Tax Reform Framework The unveiling of the tax reform framework created by the so-called “Big Six,” which proposes reductions to corporate and pass-through-business tax rates, has earned the initial approval of industry trade organizations. Learn more via Progressive Grocer. Food Industry Associations Praise Tax Reform Proposal “We applaud House and Senate…
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Sep 29, 2017
By Alison Bodor President and CEO at the American Frozen Food Institute As a working mom, I couldn’t spend quality time with my family without the convenience, nutrition and variety of frozen foods. From farm to freezer and then to retailers and foodservice providers, the frozen food and beverage industry provides something for everyone – from…
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Sep 28, 2017
By Greg Ferrara Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs One of the most important missions of the National Grocers Association (NGA) is to ensure the federal policies enacted help independent grocers continue to grow, employ workers in their communities, and better serve their shoppers. Our goal is to help members spend more…
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Sep 28, 2017
On Sept. 27, the GOP unveiled a tax reform framework that was negotiated behind closed door by key players from the House, Senate, and White House, or the “Big Six.” The key points most affecting independent grocers include: Individual The package is “completely designed with the middle class in mind” and “tax relief is focused on…
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Sep 26, 2017
By Howard Seltzer FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition September is National Food Safety Education Month. The Partnership for Food Safety Education, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Food and Drug Administration want consumers to know that some beliefs people have about keeping food safe in the refrigerator…
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Sep 22, 2017
No one knows better than independent grocers how fiercely-competitive the supermarket industry is. To help store operators and their associates best serve their shoppers, NGA has developed numerous ways to train employees, be one step ahead of the competition, and ultimately stay ahead of the rapidly-changing consumer trend curve. Below are just a few of…
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