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

Beverage Recycling Tops List of Industry Concerns.

SACRAMENTO, CA (December 18, 2009) –California’s grocery industry leaders recently met in Sacramento to set an ambitious legislative policy agenda for 2010.

The California Grocers Association’s Government Relations Committee discussed issues ranging from food safety to Green Chemistry implementation to regulation of single-use carryout bags on both the State and local levels.

“The meeting was an opportunity for CGA member companies to help our government relations team set priorities for the coming year,” noted CGA President and CEO Ron Fong. “Despite the difficult economic climate, lawmakers in Sacramento and in local jurisdictions up and down the state continue to forward additional regulatory proposals.”

The committee unanimously determined that resolving California’s Beverage Container Recycling Program crisis should be the grocery industry’s top priority. Without quick action by lawmakers, the program faces collapse in the coming months. The Association plans to be aggressively proactive in developing an effective solution, including CGA-sponsored legislation to address specific program components particularly difficult for grocers.

In addition, the committee backed a proposal to help update a state law that established a mandatory recycling program for plastic single-use carryout bags at large grocery stores. The program contains limits on local bag regulations that in hindsight have damaged efforts to shift consumers from single-use bags to reusable bags.

On the local level, CGA will dedicate significant time to working with jurisdictions seeking to regulate prepared food packaging, and encourage grocery store development in urban centers. Several barriers exist to such development including parcel sizes, zoning restrictions and transportation issues.

“CGA is poised to pursue an agenda that is unprecedented in the organization’s history,” added Fong. “Historically our association has not been aggressively pro-active. But that is going to change in 2010.”

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 400 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.

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

Will Aggressively Represent CGA in Regulatory Matters

SACRAMENTO, CA (December 15, 2009) – The California Grocers Association has hired Kara Bush as Manager of Government Relations, effective immediately.

Bush will aggressively represent the Association as a second “in-house” lobbyist and focus on State regulatory issues in addition to other government relations department responsibilities.

“While continuing to build our government relations program, it made sense to have further representation in the regulatory arena.” said CGA President and CEO Ronald Fong. “The regulatory process significantly impacts our industry. It can be extremely complex and require considerable time and involvement. Having a staff lobbyist proactively engaged in this arena will be a tremendous benefit to the Association and our members.” Bush will also serve as a second lobbyist for what is anticipated to be an aggressive 2010 CGA legislative agenda.

“For more than a century, CGA’s mission has been to advocate for the California grocery industry,” he said. “The Association has a long history of effective state and local government relations. The addition of a fulltime regulatory lobbyist fills out the government relations team and makes it even stronger.”

Prior to joining CGA, Bush worked in the office of Assemblyman Martin Garrick after three years in the public policy arena.

“Kara will be a great addition to CGA’s advocacy team,” Keri Askew Bailey, Vice President of Government Relations said. “Her experience both in the legislature and in the regulatory arena is a huge plus for the Association.”

In addition to her experience in the California Legislature, Bush worked for the California Department of Insurance and the Franchise Tax Board.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 400 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.

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

Alliance 
educates 
businesses 
to
 prepare for
 emergencies.

SACRAMENTO, CA (December 21, 2009) – The California Grocers Association has been appointed to the Advisory Council of the ReadySanDiego Business Alliance whose goal is to educate businesses and their employees to prepare for emergencies such as wildfires, earthquakes or pandemics.

The Advisory Council will provide direction for the Business Alliance and is comprised of leading San Diego employers and organizations from a cross-section of industries including media, retail, finance, healthcare, transportation and hospitality.

San Diego businesses are encouraged to join the coalition so as to contribute resources and expertise in preparation for, during and after a local disaster.

“The region’s overall resiliency is a priority for the ReadySanDiego Business Alliance and public-private participation is key to preparing for and lessening the economic impacts of a natural or man-made disaster in our county,” said Ron Lane, director of the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.

Jill Rulon, CGA Senior Vice President, will represent the Association on the Advisory Council. Rulon also represents CGA at the state emergency services level. The Association is part of a unique private/public partnership that expedites response activities and maximizes resources during a state emergency or disaster. As a charter and lead partner in this statewide disaster response system, CGA helps facilitate business continuity, and provides timely information.

“The ReadySanDiego Alliance is an important tool in helping all businesses understand the importance of disaster preparedness.,” Rulon said. “By partnering with the County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services, businesses can become part of a permanent coalition that will work with public agencies to improve the safety and security of the region. Grocers in the San Diego area should join this important coalition.”

To learn more about the ReadySanDiego Business Alliance, visit www.ReadySanDiego.org < and click on the Business tab.

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The California Grocers Association is a non­profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 400 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.

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

Greater Demand Results In Doubling of Donations

SACRAMENTO, CA (December 10, 2009) –California grocers answered Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver’s holiday season request for food by donating 266,203 pounds to the statewide WE Can Food Drive. In 2008, California grocers donated nearly 120,000 pounds.

Participating grocers included Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets, Inc., Raley’s, Ralphs Grocery Co., Safeway Inc., Save Mart Supermarkets and Vons Companies Inc.

Truckloads of donated food from throughout California rolled into California Emergency Foodlink Distribution Centers in Sacramento and Southern California the week of December 7 to deliver the much-needed donations. California Emergency Foodlink channels commodities for the State to emergency-feeding agencies throughout California.

The Governor and First Lady hosted the WE Can Holiday Food Drive in conjunction with the 78th Annual State Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 10.

“The outpouring of support from California grocers during this holiday season has been truly remarkable,” said First Lady Maria Shriver. “Arnold and I are incredibly thrilled with the generous donations made to the California Emergency Foodlink. This will positively impact hundreds of thousands of Californians struggling during these incredibly difficult economic times. The grocers have shown that together WE can make a difference. I know it will inspire all Californians to generously donate to help those who are without.”

“This is the second straight year California grocers have answered the Governor and First Lady’s call for donations during the holiday season,” said California Grocers Association President and CEO Ronald Fong. “We more than doubled the donations made the first year. The Governor and First Lady are to be commended for directing such a worthwhile and needed effort.”

Fong added that the WE Can Food Drive donations were in addition to the extensive donation programs in place at most grocery stores throughout California during the holiday season.

“Many of our members, along with many of their customers, are deeply committed to helping others, particularly during the holidays and particularly during these extremely difficult economic times,” Fong said. “To more than double what they donated last year is truly commendable.”

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 400 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.

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

GROCERY EXECUTIVE TO SERVE ONE-YEAR TERM

SACRAMENTO (Dec. 3, 2009) – George Frahm, Executive Vice President, Retail Operations & Administration for Stater Bros. Markets, San Bernardino, CA, was elected California Grocers Association’s 2009-2010 Chairman of the Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting on Dec. 3, 2009.

As Chairman, Frahm will oversee the Association’s numerous programs. CGA is comprised of more than 400 retail companies operating more than 6,000 stores in California and Nevada. The chair serves for one year. He succeeds Immediate Past Chair Bob Ling, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Unified Grocers, Inc., based in Commerce, California.

“George is a real grocer’s grocer,” says CGA President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald Fong. “He is a good businessman with a broad understanding and a deep commitment to our industry. We look forward to his leadership in the coming year.”

In addition to Frahm, the following individuals were elected to the CGA Board of Directors Executive Committee: First Vice Chair, Jim Amen, Super A Foods, Inc.; Second Vice Chair, Mike Silveira, Save Mart Supermarkets; Treasurer, John Quinn, Food 4 Less (Stockton)/Times Supermarkets; Secretary, Mike Stigers, PW Supermarkets; Past Chair, Bob Ling, Unified Grocers, Inc.

This year’s Chairman’s appointments to the Executive Committee include: John LeGuluche, Kraft Foods Global, Inc.; Bill Cote, Superior Grocers, and Jonathan Mayes, Safeway Inc.

Directors elected for a second three-year term include: Norm Carhill, Ralphs Grocery Co.; Kevin Davis, Bristol Farms; Richard Draeger, Draeger’s Supermarkets; William Healy, Bell Carter Foods, Inc.; John Pellington, Focus Brands West; Jim Schulz, International Paper; and Donna Tyndall, Gelson’s Markets.

Directors elected for their first full three-year term include: Dan Atkins, Pepsi Bottling Group; Jim Pirie, Sara Lee Food & Beverage, Dirk Stump, Stump’s Markets; and Sam Tibbitts, Holiday/Sav-Mor Foods.

Former Chairman of the Board Richard Morgan, Jr., Holiday/Sav-Mor Foods, was nominated an Honorary Board Member.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 450 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.