Sep 20, 2017
By Guy LaPerle Owner of LaPerle’s IGA in Colebrook, N.H. When you’re a business owner there’s nothing better than making a difference in the world, unless it’s making a difference and benefiting your business at the same time—which is exactly what I’ve seen as a pioneer of the green business movement. I’ve been gearing green…
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Sep 19, 2017
Independent retailers are known for generating customer loyalty, but they should revisit frequent shopper programs to further boost loyalty efforts. That’s the view of a longtime shopper loyalty expert, Gary Hawkins, chief executive of CART (Center for Advancing Retail & Technology), who sees the need for retailers to recommit to loyalty programs. He offered perspectives…
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Sep 18, 2017
While lawmakers may have adjourned for the August district work period, most remained busy visiting constituents in their districts and states, including independent supermarket operators. With independent grocers across every congressional district throughout the country, store tours play an important part of putting a face to the work grocers do every day and showing lawmakers…
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Sep 15, 2017
Grocery retailers and wholesalers, food manufacturers, service providers, and others in the food retail industry can now register to join an estimated 3,500 of your grocery peers for The NGA Show in Las Vegas, Nev. this Feb. 11-14, 2018. In fact, this year’s Show is expected to open with record-breaking numbers for the eighth…
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Sep 15, 2017
Phoenix Student Awarded Scholarship for Being a Rising Star in Grocery Industry The National Grocers Association, the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, has awarded Phoenix student Denise Malkoon with the Asparagus Club Scholarship. Learn more via Paradise Valley Independent. Food City Student Employees Awarded Scholarships Two K-V-A-T Food City employees and current students…
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Sep 15, 2017
Between Sept. 15 to 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 story of Carlos Castro, owner of Woodbridge, Va.-based Todos Supermarket. Castro was 24 while working in a factory and living in poverty in San Salvador.…
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Sep 14, 2017
Jimmy Wright, an NGA board member and single store operator of Opelika, Ala.-based Wright’s Market, recently testified on behalf of NGA before the full Senate Agriculture Committee in a hearing titled “Nutrition Programs: Perspectives for the 2018 Farm Bill.” With the 2014 Farm Bill set to expire in 2018, the committee scheduled a series of…
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Sep 12, 2017
Last summer, Bend, Ore.-based Newport Avenue Market marked their 30-year partnership with Oregon Country Beef—a longstanding relationship built on a bedrock of loyalty and trust. In fact, the supermarket was the beef suppliers first customer way back in 1986 because of their commitment to high product quality, animal welfare, and environmental standards. Not just any…
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Sep 11, 2017
For residents in the path of Hurricane Irma, the threat of power outages and flooding can compromise the safety of stored food. The Category 4 hurricane has brought life-threatening storm surges, rainfall, and wind hazards to Florida and portions of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food…
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Sep 11, 2017
Preparing for college can be overwhelming. Between saying farewell to close friends and making sure you’ve packed your life away, it’s easy to overlook a few things during the big move. We know you have created a laundry list of essentials to bring along on this new journey. But there’s one thing you have more…
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Sep 11, 2017
Hurricane Irma has brought life-threatening storm surges, rainfall, and wind hazards to Florida and portions of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee. To help supermarkets in the path of the hurricane, NGA has compiled federal and state resources below, and will continue to update the information. In addition, consumers can find food safety…
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Sep 8, 2017
Indie Operator Tells Congress of Too Many Regs In testimony on behalf of the National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade organization representing the independent supermarket sector, Carlos Castro, president of Woodbridge, Va.-based Todos Supermarket, spoke of the overwhelming number of regulations that keep small businesses from growing. Learn more via Progressive Grocer. Raley’s Ups Label…
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Sep 5, 2017
While President Trump and Congressional Republicans might be pursuing an aggressive legislative agenda, including a renewed focus on tax reform, there’s still the annual appropriations and budget processes that they must get through first. The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 outlines a standard framework to guide that process, but the federal government rarely follows that…
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Sep 5, 2017
With We Card Awareness Month here, it’s a great time to train or re-train store associates and raise awareness about federal, state, and local regulations on tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vaping products. NGA sits on the board of directors for The We Card Program, Inc., a national non-profit organization whose important mission — which grocers support…
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Sep 1, 2017
NGA Surprises ‘Mentor To Many’ With Spirit Of America Award The National Grocers Association (NGA) surprised Joe Williams with the NGA Spirit of America Award on July 23 at the Texas Retailers Forum in Fort Worth. Williams is the former VP for regulatory and member services of the Texas Retailers Association (TRA). He currently serves…
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Aug 29, 2017
As part of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) commitment to help businesses within the food supply chain comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act, the agency recently announced the release of a Food Safety Plan Builder. The new feature is a software tool designed to help owners and operators of food facilities create…
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Aug 29, 2017
The Texas Retailers Association (TRA) is putting out a call for help – and we’re amplifying their message. The state association has been working alongside local authorities to distribute food and other items to areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey. In fact, two of their members are even helping with on-the-group rescue efforts. Despite all the…
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Aug 28, 2017
For residents in the path of Hurricane Harvey, the threat of power outages and flooding can compromise the safety of stored food. The Category 4 hurricane has brought life-threatening storm surges, rainfall, and wind hazards to portions of the Texas coast. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recommends that…
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Aug 25, 2017
NGA Foundation Awards Scholarships To Grocery Industry’s Rising Stars The National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, has awarded up to $73,000 in scholarship funding through the NGA Foundation to 16 students pursuing a career in the grocery industry for the 2017-2018 academic year. Learn more via The Shelby…
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Aug 23, 2017
Workforce development – or finding, hiring, and training the right people – is an important and growing need for the independent supermarket industry. Preparing today’s students for the challenges of tomorrow is a crucial part of the work NGA helps to support to ensure independent grocers remain ahead of a rapidly-changing marketplace. In fact, the…
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