The California Grocers Association Board of Directors approved a new CGA mission statement at its April 18, 2012.

The statement reads: “The California Grocers Association serves, represents and educates its grocery industry members and advocates on their behalf at the state and local levels.”

The new mission statement was crafted during a one-day workshop in January, facilitated by Marilyn Snider, Snider and Associates.
“We asked about 20 of our members to participate in this exercise,” said CGA President Ron Fong. “Considerable thought and discussion went into developing our new mission statement. The group is to be commended for their time and effort.”

The purpose of developing the statement, according to Fong, was to clarify CGA’s purpose and define its model. The committee examined the Association’s strengths and weaknesses in an effort to define CGA’s purpose.

“We kept the statement concise by design,” Fong said. “It gets to the heart and provides the guidance and direction the board and staff needs to move the Association forward.

Grocers from throughout California gathered in Sacramento on April 17, 2012, to meet with their elected officials to discuss key industry issues at the 2012 California Grocers Association “Grocers Day at the Capitol.”

“This was an excellent opportunity for our members to meet with their state elected officials and staff and address the most pressing legislation impacting our industry,” said CGA President and CEO Ronald Fong.

In addition to meeting their elected officials in pre-scheduled meetings in the state Capitol, the more than 80 attendees heard from top legislative leaders.

“Attending Grocers Day and participating in these face-to-face meetings with legislators is the single most important activity a grocer or supplier can do to help further our industry’s cause in Sacramento,” said Keri Bailey, CGA’s Vice President of Government Relations. “Legislators want to hear from their constituents. It’s important they hear our message.”

During the one-day lobbying event attendees met with lawmakers in their Capitol offices to share concerns on critical legislation affecting the grocery industry. Six bills were lobbied by attendees on CGA’s behalf. Topics ranged from WIC and recycling to pallet theft and grocery store regulation.

Attendees also heard legislative insights from Assemblyman Mike Gatto. In addition, CGA held its annual Ice Cream Social, sponsored by Unilever. The day ended with CGA’s annual President’s Reception, which included attendees and invited legislators.

CGA wishes to thank this year’s Grocers Day at the Capitol sponsors:

• Anheuser-Busch InBev
• California Shopping Cart Retrieval Corporation
• Coca-Cola Refreshments
• Food 4 Less (Stockton)/Rancho San Miguel/Times Supermarkets
• Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market
• Gelson’s Markets
• Kellogg Company
• Nutricion Fundamental
• Ralphs
• Safeway Inc.
• Save Mart Supermarkets
• Smart & Final
• Stater Bros. Markets
• Unified Grocers, Inc.
• Unilever
• WinCo Foods

The California Grocers Association (CGA) has promoted Doug Scholz to the position of Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, effective immediately.

In this newly created position, Doug will be responsible for leading the Association’s member engagement, revenue development and overseeing the creation and execution of the marketing strategies to enhance CGA’s overall image and reach.

“Since joining CGA, Doug has proven himself as a leader and innovator for the Association,” said CGA President Ronald Fong. “His knowledge and experience in business development and marketing coupled with his willingness to think outside the box has been a tremendous asset to the Association.”
Scholz joined CGA in July of 2010 as Senior Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships.

“In his new position, Doug will work in collaboration with the Senior Management Team to develop and execute marketing strategies that support the Association’s strategic business plan, as well as enhance CGA’s brand equity and awareness,” said Fong. “He will continue his duties as the strategic partnership leader and forge ahead in relationships with our Illuminator and vendor/supplier partners.”

Prior to joining CGA, Doug was Director of Partner Marketing for the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau in Sacramento, CA. His previous employment includes Director of Sales and Premium Seating for Maloof Sports and Entertainment, Sales and Strategic Partnership Manager for Viacom International, Paramount Parks Division and Conference Marketing and Sales Manager for Viacom International.

Grocery retailers in the Los Angeles area learned first-hand their critical role during a natural or man-made disaster.

At a meeting on March 29, co-hosted by CGA and the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Red Cross and conducted in the ARC Emergency Operations Center in West Los Angeles, grocery representatives discussed how the two organizations can work closer together in preparing for a catastrophic disaster.

Retailers also learned how the ARC will feed the possible hundreds of thousands displaced in the aftermath of a major disaster, and discussed the role the grocery industry can play.

“Our members also had the opportunity to clarify the resources we as an industry have available and explore how to streamline purchasing procedures with relief organizations following a major disaster,” said Dave Heylen, CGA. “It was a tremendous first step but it’s only the beginning.”

Due to its success, CGA will host similar meetings in other strategic areas of the state.

“CGA’s goal is to help our industry understand the vital role it plays in the resiliency of a community following a disaster, and to be prepared to do so,” Heylen said.

Retailers from across the United States converged on Washington, DC in late March to urge Congress and the Obama administration to act on pro-business agendas on healthcare and tax fairness and to preserve critical swipe fee reforms accomplished through the Durbin amendment.

California Grocers Association President Ron Fong joined representatives from several member companies participated in “Day in Washington” sponsored by the National Grocers Association, Food Marketing Institute and Food Industry Association Executives Participants from California met with ten Congressional offices during the event to present the unified grocery industry.

One key issue grocers advocated was changes to the Affordable Care Act, should the law survive a pending Supreme Court challenge. In addition to pressing for better definition of key terms like “affordable”, “full time” employee, and “minimum value”, participants pushed for longer transition times for employers, elimination of the employer mandate and auto-enrollment, along with authorization for use of FSA debit cards to purchase over-the-counter medications without a prescription.

On the tax front, the industry message was clear: preserve key incentives to job creation like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, make the current estate tax rates permanent, preserve LIFO inventory accounting, and permit states to collect sales taxes from on-line retailers.

Other topics of discussion in Congressional meetings included urging lawmakers to reject pending legislation that would repeal key provisions of the Durbin amendment and pushing to keep grocery stores out of the new menu labeling requirements intended for chain restaurants.

“This was an excellent opportunity for CGA to meet with several congressional representatives,” said Fong. CGA members visited with Congressmembers Wally Herger (R-2nd District), Dan Lungren (R-3rd District) and Lois Capps (D-23rd District).

Photo: (l to r) Jonathan Mayes, Safeway Inc.; Rep. Lois Capps; Ron Fong, CGA