From our “Mommy Blogger-in-Residence” to Kevin Coupe’s running column, 2019 was another great year of California Grocer content. Below are just six of our favorites, but you can browse every article from 2019 in our magazine archive.

1. In “Navigating Today’s Incredible Pace of Change” Past Board Chair Kendra Doyel details the strengths of California’s grocery community ahead of another year filled with industry-wide disruption.
2. 2019 saw the opening of the new CGA Headquarters in downtown Sacramento. If you haven’t yet seen this beautiful building, you won’t want to skip this magazine feature.
3. This past year we also got our first taste of life under a new governor. Writing “Newsom’s First Nine Months,” CGA CEO Ron Fong explores the first portion of the 2019-20 legislative session.
4. As large retailers continue to disrupt themselves at lightning speed, the onus is on independent grocers to match their pace. Featuring former Grocery Dive writer, Jessica Dumont, our “How Independent Grocers Can Finish First in 2019″ deep dive explains how smaller retailers can adapt to this new landscape.
5. The state’s recycling struggles and a growing concern about climate change has caused food and drink packaging to dominate the past few years of grocery-related policy debate and is likely to continue into the 2020s. Read “Balancing Food Packaging and the Environment” for the full cost-benefit analysis.
6. Rounding out the top six is our write-up on this year’s “Legend of the Industry” scholarship recipient and his truly amazing path into California’s grocery community.

Phil Miller, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Elected Chair of the California Grocers Association Board of Directors

SACRAMENTO, CA (Dec. 6, 2019) – Phil Miller, Vice President, West Region, was elected the 2019-2020 California Grocers Association Chair of the Board of Directors at the Association’s Annual Meeting on Dec. 6, 2019 in San Diego, Calif.

As Chair, Miller will lead the Board’s strategy regarding CGA’s numerous legislative, educational, communications and industry-related programs. The Association is comprised of more than 300 retail companies operating more than 6,000 stores in California and Nevada. The chair serves for one year. He succeeds Immediate Past Chair Kendra Doyel, Ralphs Grocery Company.

“Phil has been a tremendous CGA advocate and I know will serve the Association well in the coming year,” said CGA President & CEO Ron Fong. “He has a keen understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing our industry.”

In addition to Miller, the following individuals were elected to the 2019-2020 CGA Board of Directors Executive Committee: First Vice Chair, Hee-Sook Nelson, Gelson’s Markets; Second Vice Chair, Renee Amen, Super A Foods; Treasurer, Dennis Darling, Foods Etc.; Secretary, Lynn Melillo, Bristol Farms; and Immediate Past Chair, Kendra Doyel, Ralphs Grocery Co.

Directors elected to their first full three-year term include: Doug Christman, Beverages & More, Inc.; Sergio Gonzalez, Northgate Gonzalez Markets; Bryan Jankans, Mondeléz International; Joe Mueller, Kellogg Company; Subriana Pierce, Navigator Sales & Marketing; Chris Podesto, Food 4 Less-Stockton/Rancho San Miguel; Jaclyn Rosenberg, Nielsen; Jeff Schmiege, Unilever; Greg Sheldon, Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Directors elected to their second three-year term include: Willie Crocker, Bimbo Bakeries USA; Damon Franzia, Classic Wines of California; Jonathan Mayes, Albertsons Companies, Inc.; Doug Minor, Numero Uno Market, Inc.; Mike Ridenour, The Kraft Heinz Co.; Elliott Stone, Mollie Stone’s Markets; Joe Toscano, Nestlé Purina Petcare; and Richard Wardwell, Superior Grocers.

Chair appointments to the Executive Committee include; Denny Belcastro, Kimberly-Clark Corp.; Steve Dietz, United Natural Foods, Inc.; and Casey McQuaid, E&J Gallo Winery. Former CGA Chair Bob Parriott, Twain Harte Markets, was elected an honorary board member.