Anti-grocery ordinance takes shape in Los Angeles

Posted on March 31, 2011March 5, 2019 by Lynn Melillo

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Nostrum minus ea suscipit porro alias corporis libero at. Perferendis omnis, veniam nemo beatae vel? Tempora numquam a repellat eaque natus, magnam?

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

grocer CGA has learned that supporters of a Los Angeles ordinance to create “incentives” for increased fresh food infrastructure have come up with a two-part scheme to penalize grocers, both of which would make it more difficult for grocers to expand in the city. The union-backed advocacy organization LAANE has long sought to create a regulatory structure in the city that encourages some companies while penalizing others.

This new proposal would force grocers to obtain a conditional use permit for new store development or major remodel. If passed, grocers would expend significant funds to meet the administrative demands and face whithering opposition at public hearings from advocacy groups if they did not fit the model supported by LAANE. Several recent reports on the food desert situation in Los Angeles note that the city needs to streamline the permitting process, not make the process more complicated.
Second, the proposal would create a “mitigation fee” for attempting to build a new store or remodel a store in an area that is not designated a food desert by the City’s Planning Department. Again, increasing costs will only stymie development in the City, not create better, newer fresh food infrastructure.
It is unclear how much support the current proposal has but CGA is assessing the potential damage such an ordinance would have on new store development in the City.

San Diego Health Department issues restriction on Gulf oysters

Posted on March 29, 2011March 13, 2019 by Lynn Melillo

Heading 2

San Diego issued the following notice today:

There are restrictions on the sale of oysters from the Gulf of Mexico. Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 13675, establishes the requirements for the sale of raw oysters harvested from the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas).

The following are the three major provisions of this section:

1. The sale of raw, untreated Gulf oysters harvested from April 1 to October 31 is restricted in California.

2. Gulf oysters that have been subjected to a validated treatment process are exempted from the restrictions. Treatment processes are required to be verified by the CA Department of Public Health (CDPH) to reduce Vibrio vulnificus to non-detectable levels.

3. Warning signs in English and Spanish shall be posted if untreated raw Gulf oysters are sold to consumers between November 1 and March 31.
Food facilities that serve or offer for sale treated Gulf Oysters must have on file a current copy of their shellfish supplier’s certificate of “Verification of Oyster Treatment Process” from the CDPH.

The following shellfish processing companies have current certificates of “Verification of Oyster Treatment Process”: Ameripure Oyster Company, Crystal Seas Seafood, Hillman Shrimp and Oyster Company, Joey Oyster Inc, Motivatit Seafood, Inc. A and B Webb’s Seafood, Inc.

Gulf oysters treated by these processes are exempt from the sales restrictions and warning sign requirements, as long as their Verification of Oyster Treatment Process remains current. Persons with certain chronic diseases, especially those associated with liver disease are at high-risk for Vibrio vulnificus infections. Fifty percent of high-risk individuals, who become ill, die. These regulations strive to improve public health protection for consumers of raw Gulf Oysters.

Additional information can be obtained by consulting the California Department of Public Health’s web site at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/Pages/FDB.aspx.

For additional information, contact the Food and Housing Division’s Duty Specialist at (858) 505-6900.

Proposed Los Angeles sign ordinance raises concerns

Posted on March 29, 2011March 5, 2019 by Lynn Melillo

Heading 2

dollar-sign- Our partners at the Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA) have been working to coordinate a response to Los Angeles’ effort to further regulate signs in the City. The Planning Department recently shared a Draft Sign Ordinance that they plan to put before the Planning and Land Use Management Committee (PLUM) in mid-April. Working within that short time-frame, Planning has agreed to hold an outreach meeting with the business community to take input on the ordinance on Thursday, March 31 from 12-2pm at City Hall (room TBD).

While the business community is encouraged that the ordinance represents a good effort to tie-together existing law and update it (to be in conformance with recent court decisions), it does raise substantive issues that cause concern. For example:

14.4.27: Violations and Administrative Civil Penalties (p. 37-39): Proposed penalties are extreme/severe, with even the smallest signs incurring penalties of $2,000-$8,000 per day

2. Size of SUD (p. 3): SUDs must be at least 15 acres. This seems too large, particularly in a dense/downtown area where development tends to go “up” and not “out”. We need to have the ability to make smaller SUDs to provide flexibility in urban context

3. 14.4.29: Right of Private Action (p. 41): Allows the owner or occupant of real property, within 500 feet of a sign, to sue for damages.

If you would like to review the language of the proposed ordinance, attend the meeting or submit written comments, please let me know and I will help you make your voice heard.

Supervisor McGlashan’s Passing A Sad Loss for Marin County

Posted on March 29, 2011March 13, 2019 by Lynn Melillo

Heading 2

In tragic and shocking news, Marin County Supervisor Charles McGlashan, 49, died late Sunday evening of an apparent heart attack after a ski weekend at Lake Tahoe. He had served as County Supervisor since 2005. He is survived by his wife, Carol Misseldine.
As CGA’s local government representative to Marin County I had numerous conversations on several subjects with Supervisor McGlashan over the years. As noted by others, his enthusiasm for Marin County and his passion for environmental causes was immense. While we rarely agreed on policy issues there was not a single conversation that did not end on a lighter note with a genuine resolve to keep working. His genuine leadership was a gift and he used it well.

It is important to recognize that both Supervisor McGlashan and his wife, Carol, tremendously influenced the single-use bag discussion. Supervisor McGlashan moved Marin County towards a single-use bag ordinance after several years of work from the neighborhood level all the way to the State Legislature. Carol is responsible for the Green Cities California MEA which served as the base for the Los Angeles County and San Jose ordinances. Marin County passed its bag ordinance earlier this year with Supervisor McGlashan as its primary author.

An article from the Marin Independent Journal is available here.

Vacaville Area Grocers, Suppliers Aid U.S. Military Family Voluntary Evacuees from Japan

Posted on March 25, 2011March 5, 2019 by Lynn Melillo

Heading 2

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

Local businesses donate thousands of pounds of food and personal hygiene products.

FAIRFIELD, CA – (March 25, 2011) Family members of U.S. military personnel being evacuated from Japan in the wake of the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami had their lengthy processing layover at Travis Air Force Base eased by concerned local elected officials, area grocers and suppliers, and civic and church groups.

Beginning Wednesday morning, more than 600 individuals a day disembarked government aircraft after flying half way around the world and wait upwards of six hours in a base hanger to go through U.S. Customs and secure connecting flights to other parts of the U.S.

The sudden influx of parents, family members, children and pets quickly overwhelmed base officials and the call soon went out for help. Vacaville Councilmember Dilenna Harris contacted area grocers asking for donated products.

“We were impressed with how quickly the grocery industry stepped up to support our military families,” Councilmember Harris said. ‘Their overwhelming response speaks volumes to their support of our military and their families, as well as Solano County.”

Local grocery retailers including Raley’s, Safeway Inc., Save Mart Supermarkets, Walmart, and WinCo Foods, along with suppliers Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Jelly Belly Candy Company and Pepsi Beverages Co. quickly responded, providing the weary travellers with thousands of pounds of snacks, protein bars, crackers, fruit, beverages and personal hygiene products including hand sanitizers, baby wipes and diapers.

“Our members were ready and willing to help these voluntary evacuees get to their homes here in the states,” said California Grocers Association President Ronald Fong. “The outpouring of support by not only the grocery community but civic groups, churches and other organizations was awesome to witness.”

“As a former member of the U.S Air Force, I was impressed with the speed and volume of the grocery industry’s response,” said Solano County Supervisor Mike Reagan. “It shows how our grocers support our community in so many ways.”

The California Grocers Association is a non-profit 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.

SoCal bag ordinances to require significant prep work

Posted on March 25, 2011March 5, 2019 by Lynn Melillo

Heading 2

bags 2 By now you have probably heard that several jurisdictions in Southern California have passed single-use bag ordinances that will impact stores you have in those areas. Unincorporated Los Angeles County and Calabasas stores are required to comply with those ordinances beginning on July 1, 2011. Santa Monica’s bag ordinance requires implementation by September 1, 2011.

In the coming days, CGA will begin passing along marketing materials and tips for how to streamline the changes you will need to comply with the ordinances’ provisions. For instance, you will need to consult with paper and reusable bag vendors to ensure that your bags comply with new labeling requirements and UPC codes. Cash registers will need to be re-programmed to record the sale of paper bags for new reporting requirements. Finally, you will need to train staff to understand the intricacies of the ordinances (e.g., WIC and SNAP customers may not be charged a 10 cent fee for paper bags while all other customers must be charged the fee). Non-compliance with the ordinances could result in fines and bad publicity.
As always, you can always give me a call at 818-841-8640 or email me at [email protected] if you have questions or would like CGA to discuss a specific issue with city or county staff on your behalf.

Steve Junqueiro and Bob Lim To Be Inducted Into CGA Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement

Posted on March 9, 2011March 5, 2019 by Lynn Melillo

Heading 2

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 — (March 8, 2011) – Steve Junqueiro, President and Chief Operating Officer, Save Mart Supermarkets and Bob Lim, Vice President, West Area Sales, Kraft Foods, Inc., will be inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, during an Awards Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento in Sacramento, CA.

The Foundation’s Hall of Achievement was created in 1993, and recognizes California grocery retailers and suppliers who have contributed substantially to the advancement of the grocery industry.

“We are very excited to welcome these two deserving individuals into our prestigious Hall of Achievement,” said CGAEF President Ronald Fong. “Both have served the grocery industry their entire professional careers and like their Hall of Achievement peers have given back generously to the communities and industry they’ve served.”

Steve Junqueiro, Save Mart Supermarkets

Steve Junqueiro has worked for Save Mart Supermarkets, Modesto, CA, for 37 years, holding operations and merchandising positions ranging from produce clerk, produce manager, produce merchandiser, produce operations supervisor, director of produce & floral, vice president of operations, executive vice president and his current position.

Steve has a long history of service to the grocery industry. He has served on numerous advisory boards and association committees including serving as Chairman of the Board for the Produce Marketing Association and Produce for Better Health Foundation Board of Directors. He also served on the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Food Marketing Institute and the Western Association of Food Chains.

His civic responsibilities include serving on the Executive Committee for the City of Hope, the Board of Directors of the Boy Scouts and the Cal Poly Advisory Board.

Bob Lim, Kraft Foods, Inc.

Bob Lim has worked for Kraft Foods for more than 27 years. He began his grocery career at age 18 as a courtesy clerk for Safeway Inc. In 1983, while attending the University of Southern California, he was recruited by Kraft Foods. Throughout his career with Kraft, Bob has held 21 different positions with 23 different bosses, has lived in six states and moved seven times. He has served in a Vice President role since 2000.

His professional awards and recognition include eight times Kraft Foods Sales Leadership Award, President’s Award, and the Diversity Ambassador Award. He also received the National Corporate Achievement Award from the Organization of Chinese Americans. In addition Bob serves as an Education Committee Advisor for the Western Michigan University Food Marketing Program, has been a guest lecturer for the USC Food Industry Marketing Program and is a business advisory board member for the Organization of Chinese Americans.

His civic responsibilities include involvement with City of Hope, Easter Seals Northern California Chapter and the San Francisco Chinatown Youth Center.

The CGA Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement provides the food industry with the opportunity to recognize the achievements of those individuals who, through their foresight and dedication, have enhanced California’s food distribution industry.

Proceeds from the event help fund the Foundation’s college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs. In 2010, the Foundation awarded 246 college scholarships totaling $296,500. The Foundation also disbursed more than $80,000 in tuition reimbursement.

“The Foundation appreciates the tremendous support it receives from the grocery industry,” Fong said. “Their generous donations allow the Foundation to achieve its mission of advancing the grocery industry through employee education, college scholarships and industry research projects.”

For more information on the Hall of Achievement log-on to www.cagrocers.com or contact Brianne Korte at 916.448.3545.

Formed in 1992 as a 501(c)3 corporation, the CGA Educational Foundation is dedicated to providing educational opportunities and research programs that benefit all segments of California’s food industry.

Previous CGA Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement Inductees

Byron Allumbaugh……………..Ralphs Grocery Co.
Lou Amen………………………….Super A Foods, Inc.
Bernard Briskin………………….Gelson’s Markets
Jack H. Brown……………………Stater Bros. Markets
Jim Brown…………………………Western Association of Food Chains/Ralphs Grocery Co.
Steven Burd……………………….Safeway Inc.
Charles Collings…………………Raley’s
Doug Detherage …………………Bimbo Bakeries U.S.A.
Paul Gerrard………………………Gerrard’s Inc.
Miguel Gonzalez………………..Northgate Gonzalez Markets
Dave Hirz ………………………….Ralphs Grocery Co.
Darioush Khaledi ……………….K.V. Mart Co.
Don Lee…………………………….Dairy Fresh
Robert Piccinini …………………Save Mart Supermarkets
Alfred Plamann ………………….Unified Grocers, Inc.
Thomas Raley ……………………Raley’s
Larree Renda……………………..Safeway Inc.
Bill Roulette………………………Gelson’s Markets
Allan Scharn………………………Gelson’s Markets
Jerry Scolari ………………………Scolari’s Food & Drug Co.
Joe Scolari…………………………Scolari’s Food & Drug Co.
Joey Scolari……………………….Scolari’s Food & Drug Co.
Bob Spengler……………………..Save Mart Supermarkets
Roger Stangeland……………….The Vons Companies
Bob Stiles………………………….Gelson’s Markets
Wilfred Von Der Ahe…………..The Vons Companies
Jerry Whitmore ………………….Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream
Bob Wilson………………………..Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream

California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Names New Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Posted on March 3, 2011March 5, 2019 by Lynn Melillo

Heading 2

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 – (March 3, 2011) – Jim Van Gorkom, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, NuCal Foods, Ripon, CA, has been named Chairman of the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Board of Trustees.

In addition to Van Gorkom, Joe Falvey, Unified Grocers, Inc. has been namd Vice Chair; John J. Nieman III, SUPERVALU, Inc., Treasurer; and Brad Askeland, North State Grocery, Secretary. The biographies of all four trustees are attached.

“We look forward to working closely with our new leadership as we strive to advance the goals of the Foundation,” said CGA Educational Foundation President Ronald Fong, who also serves as President/CEO of the California Grocers Association. “Jim’s extensive experience in the grocery industry makes him the perfect individual to serve as chair. He has a great love for the grocery industry and I’m confident will do an excellent job directing our Foundation.”

The CGAEF was created in the early 1990s to provide measurable benefits to employees, potential employees, customers and businesses in the retail food industry. Its key areas of emphasis include providing college scholarships, tuition reimbursement and educational programming for Association members.

In 2010, the Foundation awarded 246 college scholarships totaling $296,500 to deserving CGA member employees or their dependents.

In addition, the Foundation paid more than $90,000 in tuition reimbursement to member company employees wanting to improve their job-related skills.

For more information, contact Brianne Korte, CGAEF, at (916) 448-3545.

Newly Appointed CGA Educational Foundation Board of Trustees

Jim Van Gorkom

Vice President, Sales & Marketing
NuCal Foods

Jim Van Gorkom began his career in the grocery industry 30 years ago while in college. His background includes sales positions with several national organizations, including Nestle Foods. Jim joined NuCal Foods in 2006, after 16 years with Sun-Maid Growers, where he was Vice-President of Retail Sales. As part of the senior management team, Jim directs all sales and marketing functions for NuCal Foods, Rocky Mountain Eggs and Nulaid Foods.

Jim is a graduate of the USC Food Industry Executive Program and is very involved in the grocery industry, currently serving as Spotlite (Treasurer) of the Illuminators. He also serves on the boards of the City of Hope Northern California Food Industry Circle, the Food and Drug Industry Alliance for Easter Seals Bay Area, and the Frozen & Refrigerated Food Council of Northern California. Jim, and Judy, his wife of more than 30 years, live in Ripon, CA.

Joe Falvey

Senior Vice President Sales
Unified Grocers, Inc.

Joe Falvey graduated from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982.

His career in the consumer products industry started with the E&J Gallo Winery as a Sales Representative in the Los Angeles market. Joe was transferred to the San Francisco area in 1984 to assist in the start-up of a newly formed Gallo distributor where he was promoted to District Manager.

In 1986, he joined Nalley’s Fine Foods, a Division of Agrilink as a Regional Sales Manager where he was later promoted to Director.

In December 1999, upon the completion of the merger of United Grocers of Oregon and Certified Grocers of California, Joe joined the new company, Unified Western Grocers, as Vice President and Northern California Division President. In 2007, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales for Unified Grocers, Inc.

Joe serves on the Board of Directors for City of Hope, Easter Seals Foundation in Northern California and the California Grocers Association.

Joe and his wife Dolly have been married for 24 years and have two daughters.

Brad Askeland

Director, Human Resources
North State Grocery, Inc.

Brad began his grocery career in 1988 as a courtesy clerk for a small independent before joining North State Grocery, Inc. in 1995. He managed several stores for the company before assuming his current position as the Director of Human Resources in 2003. Brad earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Chico in 1995. Brad resides in Redding, Ca. with his wife Jeny and their two children.

John J Nieman III

Vice President, Human Resources
SUPERVALU, Inc.

John is the vice president of human resources for the Southern California Albertsons Division. John’s SUPERVALU career started 28 years ago as a bagger at Osco Drug in Indiana. Since that time, he has held various positions in store operations, banner leadership roles, training roles and human resources. John earned a degree in Marketing from Ball State University in 1986. He resides in Huntington Beach, CA.