Independent grocery retailers from throughout California gathered in Hawaii recently for the 34th Annual CGA Independent Operators Symposium which included an enhanced educational program that featured several high-caliber educational sessions targeted at key challenges and opportunities facing independent retailers.

Speakers for this year’s Symposium included former Walt Disney executive Dennis Snow, noted author and succession planning expert Tom Deans, and industry consultant Craig Rosenblum.

“The Symposium was a tremendous success,” said CGA President Ron Fong. “It provided our independent grocers a unique opportunity to gather in a relaxed setting to share industry best practices and learn successful new strategies to grow and sustain their business.”

Snow, a Disney executive for more than 15 years, shared his unique perspective on providing the “Disney Approach” to customer service. Deans, the author of the best-selling book, “Every Family’s Business,” provided new concepts on navigating family ownership issues while developing and updating a company’s succession plan.

Using industry-specific data and examples of best and worst practices from independent grocers, Rosenblum, a partner at Willard Bishop Consulting, shared five key trends every independent operator show know and how to successfully apply them to their stores.

This year’s Symposium was January 11-18, at the beautiful Disney Aulani Hotel on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

“We look forward to building this event in the coming years and making it the premier gathering for our independent retailers,” Fong said. “I encourage every independent operator to mark their calendars for next January and plan to join their peers for this tremendous event.”

2015 Independent Operators Symposium Highlights

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‘Twas the day before Christmas

And all ‘round the Capitol

Barely a creature was stirring

It was rather dull

So AM Alert weighed its options

It considered them with care

A vacation would be best

Yes, until the new year

But first, one more post

To send us all on our ways

See you in 2015

And happy holidays!

JANUARY: Coolio welcomed the Legislature back to session, and Democrats were sitting pretty with two-thirds supermajorities in both houses. But any excitement about what issues they might tackle with their unprecedented power was soon dashed when Sen. Rod Wright, D-Baldwin Hills, was found guilty of eight felonies related to living outside the district he ran for in 2008. (After a protracted legal process, Wright eventually resigned in September and served 71 minutes in jail.) Gov. Jerry Brown also caused a stir at his annual State of the State address, debuting Sutter Brown playing cards to make the case for another year of fiscal prudence.

FEBRUARY: The scandals kept rolling with the indictment of Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, on 24 counts including bribery, and a record political ethics fine for lobbyist Kevin Sloat. We briefly paid attention to Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom when he turned on high-speed rail, a pet project of Brown’s, while venture capitalist Tim Draper made headlines with his ultimately unsuccessful effort to split California into six new states.

MARCH: The Capitol was really shaken when the FBI raided the offices of Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, who was arrested and later charged with corruption and conspiracy to traffic weapons. Days later, Yee, Calderon and Wright were all suspended with pay. (Yee and Calderon termed out at the end of the session.) Early on, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Twin Peaks, appeared to be the Republican to beat in the race to lose the governorship to Brown, who had already amassed a $20 million war chest.

APRIL: Failed attempts to restore affirmative action and ban orca shows drew attention to the Legislature, though senators paused their work for a day of ethics training. Sen. Tom Berryhill, R-Twain Harte, could have used the help earlier; he was fined $40,000 for money laundering. Republican gubernatorial challenger Neel Kashkari brought in big endorsements in an attempt to kickstart his floundering campaign. Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown, D-San Bernardino, mounted a comeback of her own to win the annual Capitol Frog Jump.

MAY: Another month, another scandal in the Senate: President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg fired a Capitol peace officer for drug use, a revelation that unraveled issues of nepotism in the upper house and led to the retirement of its longtime heads of law enforcement and human resources. Over in the Assembly, Toni Atkins became the first openly gay woman to ascend to the speakership. Lawmakers came together to place a rainy-day reserve measure, touted by Brown, on the November ballot. Kashkari dumped $2 million of his own money into the governor’s race in an attempt to make up ground on Donnelly, then the two scrapped in a feisty radio debate.

JUNE: Kashkari edged out Donnelly to advance from the gubernatorial primary and face Brown, but the biggest drama of the June election was the state controller’s race. An unknown Republican named David Evans had Democrats biting their nails on election night, and the final result came down to 481 votes. (Leland Yee finished third in an aborted bid for secretary of state.) A court ruling striking down California’s teacher employment rules as unconstitutional injected new life into the superintendent of public instruction contest. Brown and lawmakers reached a budget deal creating preschool for poor children and setting aside cap-and-trade money for high-speed rail. Then his old nemesis, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, showed up to needle Brown on job creation. The fight over regulating Uber also arrived at the Capitol.

JULY: A high-profile recount didn’t change the results in the controller’s race. (Maybe medical marijuana advocates pushed Betty Yee over rival John A. Pérez?) Activists finally got their advisory question about money in politics onto the November ballot, only to have it booted by the California Supreme Court. Brown named Stanford Law School Professor Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar to one of the vacancies on the court, then jetted off to Mexico for talks on trade and the environment amid a border surge of undocumented minors, leaving us with four governors in four days. In search of some much-needed attention, Kashkari pretended to be homeless in Fresno.

AUGUST: With a deadline looming, the Legislature came together in rare bipartisan goodwill to place a water bond before voters in November. (Birdzilla became a star while we all waited. And waited.) In the waning days of the session, Democrats also passed a number of controversial proposals, including a sweeping plastic bag ban, a “yes means yes” sexual assault bill, and, at the very last minute, paid sick leave for all workers. It had been a while without a fresh scandal in the Senate, but Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, got himself arrested for driving under the influence after a party at the Capitol made its way to social media. He later pleaded no contest to a “wet reckless.”

SEPTEMBER: Ignoring his own precedent, Brown participated in only one debate with Kashkari, where they clashed over California’s economic recovery and teacher dismissal laws. Then he signed a much-lobbied-for film tax credit, much-lobbied-against historic groundwater regulation, and more gun control measures. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger briefly returned to the Capitol to unveil his official portrait, which included a poorly removed image of estranged wife Maria Shriver.

OCTOBER: With Brown basically ignoring his own reelection campaign, attention (and loads of money) unexpectedly turned to the superintendent of public instruction contest, where incumbent Tom Torlakson and Marshall Tuck debated the future of California public schools. Kashkari tried to get in on the action with a much-derided ad depicting a drowning child. The local battle between Rep. Ami Bera, D-Elk Grove, and Republican Doug Ose was the most expensive, and perhaps the nastiest, congressional race in the country. Kevin de León took over as Senate president pro tem with a $50,000 inauguration paid for by special interests. Plastic bag makers launched an expensive effort to overturn the state’s new ban.

NOVEMBER: A tame election cycle sent voter turnout tumbling to a record low. Brown was easily elected to a record fourth term as governor with 60 percent of the vote and Democrats swept statewide office, but they lost their supermajorities in both houses of the Legislature. Weeks later, we finally found out that Bera had eked out a nail-biting victory, and an unknown named Patty Lopez had just unseated a supposed frontrunner for the next Assembly Speaker. No sooner was the election over than the University of California announced plans to raise tuition, sparking a budget battle with Brown and massive student protests. Brown filled another vacancy on the California Supreme Court with Obama administration lawyer Leondra Kruger, a surprisingly controversial pick. All was quiet on the Senate front, and de León laid off dozens of staff members.

DECEMBER: The Legislature swore in a new class of fresh faces and immediately set about trying to avoid the UC tuition hike. A shoeshine man and the oversight office were revealed as further victims of Senate budget troubles. After federal officials finally approved a design, California prepared for the launch of its new drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants. With his typical diplomacy, Michael Peevey stepped down as head of the California Public Utilities Commission amid scandal. Oh, California, we do things different.

SACRAMENTO, CA (Dec. 5, 2014) – Joe Falvey, Senior Vice President and President, Market Centre Inc., for Unified Grocers, Inc., was elected the 2014-2015 California Grocers Association Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Association’s Annual Meeting on Dec. 5, 2014.

As Chair, Falvey will oversee 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 Mary Kasper, Fresh & Easy.

“Joe’s extensive knowledge of the grocery industry, particularly here in California, will be of tremendous value to the Association,” said CGA President and CEO Ronald K. Fong. “He has strong professional relationships throughout the industry and is very well respected by his peers. The Board and staff look forward to his leadership in the coming year.”

At Unified Grocers, Falvey is responsible for Market Centre, the company’s subsidiary that distributes, sells and markets specialty, natural, ethnic foods, as well as candy, general merchandise and seasonal products and services.

In addition to Falvey, the following individuals were elected to the 2014-2015 CGA Board of Directors Executive Committee: First Vice Chair, Kevin Konkel, Raley’s; Second Vice Chair, Diana Godfrey, Smart & Final Stores; Treasurer, Jim Wallace, Albertsons, LLC; Secretary, Bob Parriott, Twain Harte Market; and Immediate Past Chair, Mary Kasper, Fresh & Easy.

Chairman’s appointments to the Executive Committee include: Dave Jones, Kellogg Company; Kendra Doyel, Ralphs Grocery Company; and Kevin Arceneaux, Mondelez International Inc.

Directors elected to their first full three-year term include: Rich Arnold, Oberto Brands; Art Jackson, Costco Wholesale; Lynn Melillo, Bristol Farms; and Denny Silva, Coca-Cola Refreshments.

Directors elected to their second three-year term include: Brent Cotton, The Hershey Company; Casey McQuaid, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Dan Meyer, Stater Bros. Markets; Phil Miller, C&S Wholesale Grocers; and Mike Stamper, Nestle, DSD.

Former CGA Chair Kevin Davis, Bristol Farms, was elected an honorary board member.

# # #

The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 300 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.

SACRAMENTO, CA (December 1, 2014) – The California Grocers Association has promoted Doug Scholz to Senior Vice President, Business Development and Marketing, effectively immediately.

In this position, Scholz will continue being 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. In addition, he will oversee the Association’s communications department.

“By combining the communications department with membership, conventions and marketing, CGA will maximize existing synergies and allow for greater uniform messaging, while streamlining our expanding marketing programs,” Fong said.

Scholz joined CGA in 2010 as Senior Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnership. He was promoted to Vice President of Business Development and Marketing in 2012.

“During the short time Doug has been with CGA he has done a fantastic job re-inventing the CGA Strategic Conference, driving membership to new heights and marketing our events at a highly professional level,” said Fong. “He has changed and innovated our programs, two of the key factors of our culture and path to the future.”

The 2012 elections will have a major impact on California politics. For the first time since 1933, one party now holds a super majority in both the Assembly and the Senate.

The California State Capitol has a new addition this holiday season – a 5,800 pound can replica of the State Capitol.

The replica is the creation of Canstruction – a national charity that showcases colossal structures made entirely of full cans of food. It will be on display near the East entrance to the Capitol through December, after which the cans of food will be donated to local charities.

Originally created for the CGA Strategic Conference this past September, the Capitol replica was disassembled, shipped to Sacramento and reconstructed by CGA staff on Nov. 7.

Food cans for the project were donated by Chicken of the Sea, Juanitas Foods and Unified Grocers, Inc.

“This is a terrific opportunity for CGA to showcase the fantastic work our industry does in helping the less fortunate,” said CGA President Ron Fong. “A special thank you goes to those companies donating product and time to make this happen.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – September 21, 2014 – In a historic partnership to strengthen California’s future grocery industry workforce, the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation has committed to provide scholarships, internship stipends and professional development opportunities to California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) Agribusiness Food Retail Management Program (CPAFRM) for the 2015-2016 academic year.

“By partnering with Cal Poly, we can provide financial assistance and infuse real-world knowledge and learning opportunities into the student experience,” said CGA President Ron Fong, “and help prepare practice-ready graduates who can step right into careers in our industry.”

The Memorandum of Understanding is a one-year commitment designed to help shape future generations of grocery industry professionals in a wide range of disciplines. CGAEF will award four (4) $5,000 scholarships to students having completed a minimum of 8 units of CPAFRM classes with a 3.0 grade point average. Additionally, the Foundation will provide a maximum of five (5) $1,000 stipends to help defray the costs of housing, food and transportation for students seeking an industry internship.

The MOU was announced at the CGA Strategic Conference in Palm Springs, Calif., on Sept. 21, 2014. In making the announcement, Fong said Cal Poly’s commitment to the grocery industry’s future workforce made it a natural partner to achieve the mutual goal of preparing graduates to make immediate and meaningful contributions to their employers and the industry as a whole.

“Hiring talented, experienced young people who enter the grocery industry with relevant experience not just in the classroom but in the workplace speeds up the orientation process, lowers costs for hiring and training, and accelerates productivity,” said Dr. Jay Noel, Department Chair, Agribusiness, Cal Poly.

The MOU represents the Foundation’s first higher-education partnership in its 22-year history. It hopes to expand the funding to other agribusiness-focused campuses throughout the California State University system.

The program will also facilitate internship opportunities with CGA-member companies and foster additional learning opportunities for students and faculty. The Foundation also agreed to encourage additional philanthropy and public-private partnerships from the grocery industry to provide additional hands-on learning opportunities, infuse industry-specific expertise into the curriculum, and identify future employees.

Beginning with a single scholarship in 1992, the Foundation has grown exponentially over the last 22 years to bestow nearly 2,900 worthy college students with awards totaling more than $3.4 million. In addition, the Foundation’s Career Development Tuition Reimbursement program has surpassed the $1 million mark in tuition reimbursement grants.

The CGA Educational Foundation was created under the direction of the California Grocers Association Board of Directors in 1992. Its mission is to provide financial assistance to advance the educational goals of CGA member company employees and their dependents and offer educational programs to advance the grocery industry. For more information, visit www.CGAEF.org.

View more information on Cal Poly’s Agribusiness Department Retail Management Program.

It has been a busy year so far for the California Grocers Association. CGA completed its merger with the California Independent Grocers Association, Gov. Jerry Brown discussed key state issues with the CGA Board of Directors, and this year’s CGA Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement inducted a grocery family and a long-time supplier executive.

Learn what else CGA has been up to in 2014 »

CGA Educational Foundation Celebrates Landmark Donation

Record gift will benefit employees of family-owned grocery companies

The California Grocers Association Educational Foundation recently received a record donation from the California Independent Grocers Association (CIGA) that will significantly expand the funding of college scholarships, tuition reimbursement and industry educational opportunities for independent grocer members of CGA and their dependents.

The $403,000 gift was the result of the recent merger between CIGA and CGA and represents the single largest donation to the Foundation’s 22-year history.

“We are proud to support the mission of CGAEF,” said former CIGA Executive Committee Chair Bob Parriott, Twain Harte Market. “At a time when students continuously struggle to continue their education while lessening their financial burden, this program ensures that hundreds of students in our industry will receive the financial support they need.”

Parriott presented the check to CGAEF Chair Jim Van Gorkom, NuCal Foods, at a recent CGA Board of Directors meeting. Also as part of the merger, former CIGA board member Kelly Augustine, United Markets, Inc., was elected to the CGAEF Board of Trustees.

“CIGA’s donation to CGAEF is a huge investment in the development of tomorrow’s grocery industry leaders,” said CGAEF President Ron Fong. “We are grateful for CIGA’s tremendous generosity and its members which allow the Foundation an opportunity to provide college scholarships to deserving students.”

Currently the largest statewide program in America supporting the grocery industry, the CGAEF’s College Scholarship and Career Development Programs offer $500,000 annually in financial relief from ever-rising costs that prevent many from completing their education.

Beginning with a single scholarship in 1992, the Foundation has grown exponentially over the last 22 years to bestow nearly 2,900 worthy college students with awards totaling more than $3.4 million—ensuring that California’s grocery employees and their dependents have the resources necessary to start or complete their higher education. In addition, the Foundation’s Career Development Tuition Reimbursement program has surpassed the $1 million mark in tuition reimbursement grants.

The CGA Educational Foundation was created under the direction of the California Grocers Association Board of Directors in 1992. Its mission is to provide financial assistance to advance the educational goals of CGA member company employees and their dependents and offer educational programs to advance the grocery industry.

For more information, visit www.CGAEF.org.

The California Grocers Association learned some valuable lessons about battling GMO labeling through its campaign against Proposition 37 in that state, said Ronald Fong, president and CEO of CGA.

In focus groups conducted after the campaign, in which the proposal to label GMO products in California was defeated in partnership with the Grocery Manufacturers Association, Fong said CGA learned that customers really don’t fault companies for campaigning against legislation that might harm their business.

However, that doesn’t mean customers are comfortable being prodded by their supermarkets on certain positions.

“We learned that grocers are regarded favorably, and we are trusted, but we are not trusted as a political messenger,” Fong said in a presentation at FMI Connect in Chicago on Friday. “They don’t want us to tell them how to vote.”

Among other findings from the focus groups:

• Within the store, customers trust produce managers more than anyone else if they have questions about GMOs, followed by the general store managers.
• Farmers themselves are highly regarded by consumers and trusted
• Consumers respond favorably to science-based information, such as scientific research that indicates findings about GMO safety.

“What we learned was, don’t cross the line and make it a political discussion,” he said. “Customers don’t want to have a political discussion with their grocer in the store.”

Reprinted from Supermarket News (6/13/2014)