FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

SACRAMENTO, CA – (April 28, 2009) – The Western Food Industry Exposition (WFIE) Presented by California Grocers Association has a new name, but the convention’s successful meeting format remains the same.

WFIE is now the CGA Strategic Conference.

“The Association’s Convention Committee determined it was time for the convention’s name to better reflect who it was representing,” said Committee Chair George Frahm, Stater Bros. Markets. “The convention draws attendees nationwide, but the lion’s share are from California.”

While the conference’s new name better reflects the focus of the two-day event, the highly popular convention, anchored by its commitment to face-to-face pre-scheduled meetings remains the same. CGA’s annual convention has been a part of the Association for 110 years. In 1998, with many state associations eliminating their conventions, CGA realized an opportunity to expand its convention into a regional exposition.

“At the time, it was the right move,” said CGA Senior Vice President Jill Rulon. “CGA was the only association in the 11 Western states with a trade show. After meeting with neighboring association representatives and receiving commitments to participate in the annual event, the show name was changed to Western Food Industry Exposition and we became a regional convention.”

While successful at first, the convention remained primarily a California Grocers Association event. “Like our industry, CGA’s convention has adapted to changing times,” Frahm said. “Several years ago, the Expo moved away from its traditional trade show format and focused on face-to-face pre-scheduled meetings. It has been a huge success. It truly is a strategic conference.”

This year’s CGA Strategic Conference is November 1-3, 2009, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Frahm said this year’s theme “Where Business Gets Done” accurately captures the essence of the two-day conference.

“The CGA Strategic Conference is very unique and those companies that come prepared do get business done,” Frahm said. “CGA has created the vehicle to make it happen. It’s up to the attendees to take advantage.”

The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies. Retail membership includes chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores and mass merchandisers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

Grocers to supply bottled water and reusable carryout bags to volunteers.

SACRAMENTO, CA – (April 24, 2009) – Local San Jose grocers are joining forces with Councilmember Kansen Chu to refresh volunteers participating in this year’s Great American Litter Pick Up on Saturday, April 25, 2009.

The three local grocery retailers, PW Supermarkets, Safeway Inc., Save Mart Supermarkets along with the California Grocers Association, will supply bottled water to more than 600 volunteers expected to participate in this annual San Jose litter prevention event. In 2008, event participants collected 404 bags of litter and 86 bags of recyclable material.

“Our members wanted to support the hundreds of volunteers participating in this very worthwhile effort to have a positive impact on their communities,” said CGA President Ronald Fong. The annual event is sponsored by the City of San Jose and other regional anti-litter campaign partners.

In addition to replenishing volunteers with needed water, all three retailers will be distributing free reusable carryout bags and encouraging volunteers to “remember the bag” when grocery shopping.

“Obviously these volunteers are concerned about the environment and we want to reward them for their efforts,” Fong said. “What better way to say thank you than to provide a reusable shopping bag to be used every time they visit their local grocery store.”

Fong said California grocers fully support increasing consumer interest in reusable shopping bags. “Reusable bags are an essential part of our industry’s environmental goal to reduce, reuse and recycle,” Fong said. He noted that in an effort to increase reusable bag awareness, many grocers throughout California participated in this year’s Earth Day on April 22 by giving away reusable bags.

“We congratulate all those engaged in this important environmental event, particularly Councilmember Chu for allowing our industry to participate.” Fong said. “We hope to work closely with city officials in reducing litter through effective, coordinated efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle.”

The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies. Retail membership includes chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores and mass merchandisers.

SACRAMENTO, CA – (April 21, 2009) – Grocers throughout California are joining the worldwide Earth Day celebration on April 22 by promoting reusable shopping bags.

“Using reusable bags is one of the easiest and most effective ways to have a positive impact on our environment,” said Ronald Fong, President and CEO, California Grocers Association. “On Earth Day 2009, we intend to increase reusable bag awareness and educate consumers to the benefits of their use.”

To encourage consumers to keep going green, many California grocers on Earth Day will be selling reusable bags at a discounted price, and in some instances will be giving a limited number of bags away for free.

Grocers have sold reusable bags for years, Fong said, but it wasn’t until the passage of Assembly Bill 2449 – California’s statewide plastic bag recycling bill – in 2007, and the increased worldwide focus on sustainability, that reusable shopping bags moved into the environmental spotlight.

“More and more consumers are discovering that reusable bags are a viable alternative to traditional carryout bags,” Fong said.

While most grocers sell reusable bags at near cost, some consumers are making the up and coming bag a fashion statement. “Most reusable bags are under a dollar, although designer bags – often with fashionable messages – can be hundreds of dollars,” Fong said. The bags come in a variety of material including cloth, polyester and nonwoven polypropylene. Grocers are required to sell a reusable bag that is cloth or other machine washable fabric with handles, or a durable plastic bag with handles that is designed and manufactured for multiple reuse.

To reinforce reusable bag use, CGA recommends consumers purchase multiple bags and store them in convenient locations including their automobile. In addition, consumers should use reusable bags for all shopping and not just trips to the grocery store.

“Our industry understands that changing shopping habits doesn’t occur overnight,” Fong said. “Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, it will take time for consumers to embrace reusable bag use. The biggest challenge is remembering to bring the bag on return visits.”

While reusable bags are excellent for the environment, they do raise food safety concerns. Consumers should wash the bags regularly, particularly if there has been product leakage. Fong encourages consumers to error on the side of safety. “If in doubt, wash it out,” he recommends.

Here is a sampling of what grocers are doing on Earth Day:

• Albertsons, Inc. is giving away reusable bags in Santa Barbara, Calabasas and Southgate and assisting in cleaning four state parks in San Diego.
• Bristol Farms is giving away reusable bags to customers purchasing $25 or more.
• Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market is giving away canvas bags to customers spending more than $10.
• Gelson’s Markets is giving away a special limited edition Earth Day reusable bag to customers spending more than $25.
• K.V. Mart is giving away free reusable bags.
• Raley’s is unveiling its greenest store at a grand opening in Petaluma, CA.
• Save Mart Supermarkets is teaming with Tropicana Products, Inc. to giveaway three reusable bags to customers purchasing a 128 oz. bottle of Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice.
• Scolari’s Food & Drug is giving the first 100 customers a free reusable shopping bag.
• Superior Grocers is providing water and fruit to volunteers participating in a tree planting event in the Sixth District of Los Angeles.
• Whole Foods is offering a free tree to the first 100 customers who spend $25 or more.

The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies. Retail membership includes chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores and mass merchandisers.