With the largest attended CGA Supplier Executive Council (SEC) Store Tour, Super King Markets welcomed SEC members to their newest location in Van Nuys, Calif. on August 22. The store tour was lead by family owners, executives and buyers to provide participants with different perspectives of the inner workings of Super King.

With a store that rarely has a slow period, participants navigated around the store learning about each department. Executives and employees freely shared their insights about their business and the grocery industry in general. The store tour concluded with an intimate lunch offsite where conversations continued and relationships grew.

These exclusive store tours provide SEC members with an opportunity to learn about how retailers approach operational strategies and obtain insights on customers directly from executives of some of the top California grocery retailers. The last SEC store tour for 2013 will be hosted by Northgate Gonzalez Markets.

To learn more about becoming a CGA Supplier Executive Council member, please contact Sunny Chang at (916) 448-3545.

More than 140 grocery retailers, suppliers and wholesalers gathered together to participate in this year’s CGA Educational Foundation Northern California Golf Classic and Illuminators Rally on Tuesday, July 23 at the beautifully manicured course at Blackhawk Country Club in Danville, Calif.

Attendees enjoyed hearing from former American college player and 13-year professional football veteran Willie Roaf about his experiences. This forum was sponsored by C&S Wholesale Grocers and MillerCoors.

In addition, Long Drive Professional Damien Payne showed off his long ball skills on the course to help raise money for the Foundation.

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Tournament Winners

First Place
Score: 55
Scott Alcalde
Len Rochon
Jeff Hamilton
Ron Link

Second Place
Score: 57
Tyler Demetral
Ed Hepler
Cliff Barton
Richie Morgan

Third Place
Score: 58
Matt Myers
Greg Pantages
John Cianciarulo

Closest to the Pin
Mens – Phil Costello 11’5″
Womens – Tracy Lape 13’11”

Long Drive
Mens – Tyler Demetral
Womens – Leslie Astle

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Tournament Sponsors

The Foundation wishes to thank the following tournament sponsors:

Breakfast
The Illuminators

Lunch
Bimbo Bakeries USA
La Tortilla Factory

Master Sponsors
Anheuser-Busch InBev
The Hershey Company
Kellogg Company
Kraft Foods Group
Mondelez International
Synder’s-Lance, Inc.
Unified Grocers, Inc.

Package Sponsors
Anheuser-Busch InBev
C&S Wholesale Grocers
Coca-Cola Refreshments
ConAgra Foods
Corrigo Incorporated
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group
Fisher Printing, Inc.
Food 4 Less/Rancho San Miguel
Frito-Lay, Inc.
Jelly Belly Candy Company
MillerCoors
MOM Brands
NuCal Foods
Nutricion Fundamental, Inc.
PepsiCo
Procter & Gamble
Select Trade Sales
Sugar Bowl Bakery
Supervalu Wholesale
Unilever

Hole Sponsors
Key Refrigeration
PECO Pallet, Inc.
RSi Retail Solutions

It has been five years since Ron Fong took the reigns of the California Grocers Association. While a great deal has been accomplished in his first first years, the CGA President sees greater challenges and opportunities in the future.

Read More.

Cooler weather greeted this year’s field of golfers participating in the 2013 CGA Educational Foundation Golf Classic and Illuminator Rally on Wednesday, July 11, at Pacific Palms Resort in Industry, Calif.

More than 230 players enjoyed a full day of golf stretched over both the “Ike” and “Babe” courses and great networking opportunities both prior and after the tournament.

In addition, attendees heard from football legend and ESPN College Game Day Analyst Desmond Howard who shared his unique perspective on the game. His presentation was sponsored by Kellogg Company.

The July 11 event was the first of two tournaments sponsored by the CGA Educational Foundation. The second tournament is July 23 at Blackhawk Country Club in Danville, CA. This event is sold out.

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Tournament Winners

“Ike” Course
1st Place
Score: 59
Fernando Hong
Patrick Park
Mary Park
Sara Yi
2nd Place
Score: 60
John Bonicatto
Diana Godfrey
Skip Moran
Vick van Hoogmoed
3rd Place
Score: 60
Mike White
Dale Dougall

“Babe” Course
1st Place
Score: 56
Rene Amen
Jim Amen
Ed Billings
Dean Billings
2nd Place
Score: 58
David Grosse
Gary Lofgren
Bob Reeves
3rd Place
Score: 62
Hank Mayhew
George Galanos
Donna Tyndall
Jack Polakow

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Tournament Sponsors

The Foundation wishes to thank the following tournament sponsors:

Breakfast

The Illuminators

Lunch
Bristol Farms
Cardenas Markets
El Super

Master Sponsors
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Diageo USA
Kellogg Company
Kraft Foods Group
Mondeléz International
Pepsi Beverages Company
Snyder’s-Lance, Inc.
The Hershey Company
Unified Grocers, Inc.

Package Sponsors
Alliance Managed Sales
Alta Dena Certified Dairy
APIO Inc.
Big Saver Foods
Bunzl Distribution
C & S Wholesale Grocers
Cardenas Markets
Co-Sales So Cal
Fisher Printing, Inc.
Food 4 Less/Foods Co.
Frito-Lay, Inc.
Gelson’s Markets
Heineken USA
Jelly Belly Candy Co.
LaLa Foods
Mike’s Hard Lemonade
MillerCoors
Milton’s Baking Company
Mission Foods
MOM Brands
Moss Adams LLP
Nestle Purina PetCare
Progressive Produce Corp.
Rockstar Energy Drink
Sanderson Farms
Southern Wine & Spirits
Southwind Foods
Specialty Food Sales
Super A Foods
the happy egg co
Whole Foods Mark

Nearly 300 of California’s grocery industry employees and their dependents will receive life-changing financial assistance this year through college scholarships awarded by the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation.

The largest state-wide program in America supporting the grocery industry, the CGA Educational Foundation College Scholarship Program will offer 291 deserving students a record $359,750 in financial relief from ever-rising costs that prevent many from completing their education—an $18,500 increase over last year’s award total.

CGA Educational Foundation college scholarships are open to high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students who are dependents of employees or are themselves employed by a California Grocers Association member company.

“The significance of this scholarship program and the grocery industry’s generosity cannot be overstated; this program has been indispensable to countless individuals. At a time when students struggle to continue their education while lessening their financial burden, this program ensures that hundreds of students every year will receive the financial support they need,” commented Jim Van Gorkom, CGAEF Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Beginning with a single scholarship in 1992, the Foundation has grown exponentially over the last 21 years to bestow more than 2,600 worthy college students with awards totaling more than $3 million—ensuring that California’s grocery employees and their dependents have the resources necessary to start or complete their higher education. The program includes four types of scholarships: CGAEF funded, Legacy, Donor and Piggyback.

“Education and training represent essential tools to the future prosperity of our industry,” noted CGAEF Executive Director Shiloh London. “In these uncertain economic times, providing opportunities for individuals to enhance job skills and further educational goals is more important than ever.”

“CGAEF scholarship donors are investing in the development of tomorrow’s grocery industry leaders,” added London. “We are grateful for the tremendous ongoing support of CGA member companies which allow the Foundation an opportunity to provide college scholarships to deserving students.”

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.

Eric Stille, President and CEO of Nugget Market, led another successful CGA Supplier Executive Council store tour on May 14 in Davis, CA.

Attendees were given an exclusive opportunity to gain an up-close look at the inner workings of Nugget Market and its culture. By the end of the tour, participants all understood why this family-owned upscale supermarket has made Fortune magazine’s “Top 100 Best Companies to Work For” list for the past eight years.

These exclusive store tours provide SEC members with an opportunity to learn about how retailers approach operational strategies and obtain insights on customer shopping patterns directly from executives of some of the top California grocery retailers. Future SEC store tours will include Super King Market and Northgate Gonzalez Markets.

To learn more about becoming a CGA Supplier Executive Council member, email Sunny Chang, or call (916) 448-3545.

CGA members from throughout California gathered in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 30, to discuss key industry issues with state legislators.

CGA Hosts Legislative Reception

CGA members and state legislators participated in a special Legislative Reception on the evening before Grocers Day at the Capitol at The Kitchen in Sacramento.

Click here to view a photo wrap-up of this event.

The Association’s annual Grocers Day at the Capitol drew more than 80 grocery retailers and suppliers who spent the day hearing from key regulatory leaders and visiting with nearly 70 legislators in the State Capitol.

“This was a tremendous opportunity for our members to educate elected officials on legislation that not only impacts our industry but their constituents,” said CGA Presdient/CEO Ron Fong. “These visits go a long way in helping CGA’s government relations team establish strong relationships with legislators and staff.”

In addition to the in-office visits, attendees also heard from Christine Baker, Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations, who discussed the challenges and reforms taking place in the state’s workers’ compensation program, and Christine Nelson, Director of the California WIC Department, who discussed the on-going moratorium on the issuance of new WIC licenses.

“Both issues are top level issues for our industry,” said Fong. “Hearing directly from the heads of these two departments was a real plus for our members.”

Following the morning briefings, attendees were assigned in teams to meet with at least five legislators and discuss legislation to ban plastic carryout bags and sugar-sweetened beverages . In addition, members encouraged legislators to help lift the moratorium on new WIC licenses.

“Hearing directly from grocery retailers and suppliers really drove home how these issues impact Californians,” Fong said. “Legislators listen when they hear from those in their district.”

In addition to legislative visits, legislators and their staff were invited to CGA’s annual Ice Cream Social, sponsored by Nestle Dreyer’s Ice Cream.

The day ended with a President’s Reception at CGA’s headquarters. More than 90 grocery retailers and suppliers, along with a number of legislators, participated in the event.

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2013 Grocers Day Sponsors

CGA wishes to thank the following companies for sponsoring this year’s event.

Gold Level

Coca-Cola Refreshments
Food 4 Less/ Rancho San Miguel Markets
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets
Safeway Inc.
Unified Grocers, Inc.

Silver Level

Anheuser-Busch InBev
Gelson’s Markets

Bronze Level

Bristol Farms
Nutricion Fundamental
Ralphs Grocery Co./Food 4 Less
Smart & Final
WinCo Foods

Breakfast

Kellogg Company

Reception

MillerCoors

A delegation of California Grocers Association members joined other food industry state association executives representing more than 30 states in Washington, DC this week to urge Congress to act on pro-business reforms that impact the bottom lines of supermarket retailers and wholesalers.

Members of the National Grocers Association (NGA), Food Marketing Institute (FMI), and the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE) joined together for the annual “Day in Washington” congressional fly-in, during which grocery company executives and operators meet with their members of Congress and key Congressional staff to discuss issues of importance to the supermarket industry such as healthcare, tax reform, FDA menu labeling, and swipe fees.

Regarding health care, the supermarket industry supports changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that would increase their ability to maintain health coverage and comply with the law. Such changes include amending the ACA’s 30-hours per week full-time employee definition to be in-line with the current workforce and fair labor standards; supporting H.R. 1254 to repeal a redundant and confusing mandatory auto-enrollment provision; and restoring the ability for customers to use their Flexible Spending Account (FSA) card for purchases of Over-the-Counter (OTC) medicines without a prescription.

Supermarket operators are also urging Members of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 1249, the Common Sense Nutritional Disclosure Act, bi-partisan legislation that would, in part, ensure that Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not capture mainstream grocery stores in chain restaurant menu labeling regulations.

“Supermarkets are job-creators, employing 3.4 million workers, and they’re also inherent to the financial health of their communities, as evidenced by an average of $92 per U.S. household in weekly sales[i],” FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin remarked. “It’s great for Members of Congress to hear directly from the grocers in their districts about how even the slightest nuances to legislation or regulation can impact their 1-percent-profit-margin-businesses.”

With Congress focused on taking up tax reform, attendees are urging their elected officials to ensure reform is fair and equitable among both C-corporations and pass-through entities such as S-Corporations and LLCs, while preserving pro-growth tax provisions such as bonus depreciation and expensing. The industry believes Congress should also focus on reforming the tax code, and not try to raise revenue from other areas. The Last In, First Out (LIFO) accounting method is not a tax provision and repeal would create a new, phantom tax that does not meet the basic standards of fairness and equity. The supermarket industry is also urging members of Congress to support the Marketplace Fairness Act (H.R. 684/S. 336), legislation that closes a 20-year-old-loophole and helps create a level playing field for brick and mortar retailers.

“The presence of the supermarket industry in Washington, D.C. this week is significant given the many important public policy issues facing our industry,” said Peter J. Larkin, President and CEO, NGA. “The momentum gained by having industry executives educate their elected officials on these issues will help keep up the pressure on Congress to take action.”

Attendees of the Day in Washington are also addressing the issue of credit card swipe fees, which remain one of the highest operational expenses for retailers. With no ability to negotiate or decrease these fees, the average credit card swipe fee of 2 percent is often higher than the profit margin for many transactions. The supermarket industry strongly supports swipe fee reforms through maintaining and improving debit reform and moving toward more fair and equitable credit card swipe fees.

Photo Credit: A delegation of California retailers are in Washington DC this week educating congressional members on key grocery issues. Attending the event, sponsored by FMI, NGA and FIAE are (left to right) Bob Guiterrez, Food 4 Less (Stockton); Keri Askew Bailey, CGA; Congressman Jeff Denham (CA-10); Ron Fong, CGA; Kevin Herglotz, Unified Grocers, Inc.; and Jonathan Mayes, Safeway Inc.

Stores across California would need to ditch single-use plastic bags under legislation authored by Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles, that has drawn some interest from a key business lobby.

Dozens of municipalities have already adopted ordinances prohibiting stores from offering the bags, citing the environmental costs of proliferating plastic. Padilla said his bill would build on that process with a needed statewide standard.

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and there’s no such thing as a free bag,” Padilla said at a Monday morning press conference on the steps of the State Capitol building.

And while the Legislature has fallen short in its attempts to institute a ban before, Padilla said his bill’s prospects were brighter given “the business community that’s coming around and seeing the wisdom in a statewide policy.”

The California Grocers Association has not yet taken a formal position on the bill, but president and CEO Ronald Fong endorsed a statewide approach that would offer “consistency and predictability” both to consumers and to businesses trying to navigate a patchwork of varying county and city rules.

“We’re looking for competitive fairness for retailers,” Fong said at Monday’s press conference. “Retailers don’t want to be in a position where they need to abide by 70 to 85 different local ordinances.”

Padilla cited some statistics about the environmental burden of plastic bags: more than 14 billion are handed out every year in California, producing tons of largely non-biodegradable waste that harm wildlife, pollute bodies of water and posing hefty cleanup costs for the state.

“We can reduce the cost to government and have better-looking communities in the process,” Padilla said.

Under the current language in Senate Bill 405, larger stores would have until January 1, 2015 to stop giving out single-use plastic bags, with smaller stores facing a later deadline. Stores could offer reusable bags that meet standards overseen by the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery.

Speakers at the press conference underscored the impact on wildlife, which can get enmeshed in plastic waste. Animals also sometimes consume the bags: birds will unwittingly feed scraps of plastic to their young, and turtles often mistake the bags for coveted jellyfish.

Single-use plastic bags are rarely recycled. Mark Murray, executive director of the group Californians Against Waste, said that only about 5 percent of plastic bags make it to recycling facilities.

“Even with an opportunity to recycle at every grocery store in this state, these particular products don’t lend themselves to cost-effective and easy recycling,” Murray said at Monday’s press conference. “This is a problem product that the best solution is to phase it out of the marketplace,” he added.

And even when the bags are recycled, they can still pose problems, according to Sacramento City Councilman Kevin McCarty, who has been immersed in the issue as the Sacramento City Council debates a plastic bag ordinance amid resistance from the business community. McCarty recounted visiting a recycling center in his district and watching workers repeatedly dislodge plastic bags that were gumming up the machinery.

“The city of Sacramento is in full support of this effort,” McCarty said. “We’re frankly a little late to the game.”

Not everyone is pleased. Phil Rozenski, who is working with a bag manufacturer coalition called the American Progressive Bag Alliance, said that single-use plastic bags are “an environmental option” and suggested that recycle rates are so low because consumers reuse the bags rather than recycling them.

“We think consumers should have a choice,” Rozenski said.

Photo Credit: Senator Alex Padilla addresses media as CGA President Ronald Fong listens.

Reprinted from The Sacramento Bee (4/15/2013)

Jim Lee, President and Chief Operating Officer, Stater Bros. Markets and Vic Chiono, Vice President Sales, West U.S., Coca-Cola Refreshments, were inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center in Pomona, 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.

The one-night annual award dinner and fundraising event raised more than $500,000. Proceeds from the event fund the Foundation’s College Scholarship and Career Development programs.

This year, the Foundation will be awarding 294 college scholarships totaling $330,750 to deserving employees, or their families, of CGA member companies.

“This year’s inductees are true icons of our industry,” said CGAEF President Ronald Fong. “Their unwavering dedication to the success of our industry, and their unselfish and devoted commitment to the communities they serve make both individuals worthy recipients of this year’s award.’

Jim Lee- Stater Bros. Markets

Jim joined Stater Bros. Markets as the Group Senior Vice President of Retail Operations in 2002, bringing to the Company over 30 years of experience in the Supermarket Industry. Headquartered in San Bernardino, California, and founded in 1936, Stater Bros. is a “Fortune 500” Company, and is the largest privately owned Supermarket Chain based in Southern California with 167 stores, nearly $3.8 billion in annual sales, and over 18,000 members of the Stater Bros. “Family” of Employees.

Jim began his grocery career with Ralphs Grocery Company in Southern California in 1972 as a Clerk’s Helper. Later he was promoted to various positions during his 25 years at the Company including: Store Manager, District Manager, Vice President of Store Operations Administration and Vice President Store Operations, Northern Division and Southern Divisions. His last position with Ralphs was Group Vice President of the Central Division, where he had responsibility for the highest sales volume Division in the Company.

Prior to joining Stater Bros., Jim was the President and Chief Operating Officer, from 1996 to 2001, of Wild Oats Markets, Inc. based in Boulder, Colorado; which at the time, was the second largest chain of natural foods supermarkets in North America, with annual sales of over $1 billion. During Jim’s time with Wild Oats, he helped the company “go public” and oversaw a 600% increase in sales.

Jim has a Bachelor of Arts Degree (in History) from Azusa Pacific University where he played basketball on Scholarship, a Food Industry Management Certificate (full Scholarship from the Western Association of Food Chains) and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Southern California, which he earned while attending night school. He also graduated, and served as Class President, from the Executive Program in the Graduate School of Business at UCLA. In 2008, Jim was honored by Azusa Pacific University with the Academic Hall of Honor Award. The USC Marshall School of Business, Food Industry Management (FIM) Program named Jim the Food Industry Executive of the Year for 2010. Most recently, Jim received the 2011 Humanitarian Award from The California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ) for his longtime dedication and service to the Food Industry.

Jim is on the Executive Committee of the Western Association of Food Chains and served as President in 2007/2008. He is on the Advisory Board for the City of Hope Food Industries Circle, a past board member of the Food Marketing Institute, former trustee for the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation, and is a Vice President on the Board of Directors for Topco Associates, LLC

Jim and his wife Nancy (also a supermarket “veteran”) are both native Southern Californians and reside in Newport Beach, California. They have been married for 39 years, and have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Vic Chiono, Coca-Cola Refreshments

Vic Chiono is Area Vice President of Sales for Coca-Cola Refreshments, with responsibilities for the Central and West U.S. Vic has been in sales and sales marketing for over thirty-six years, just completing over twenty-six years within Coca-Cola holding numerous sales and management positions.

Vic got started in the grocery industry at the age of 10 sorting bottles and sweeping the parking lots of his father’s Safeway store. Vic worked through high school and college as a checker and shelf stocker. After graduating from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Vic started his career by joining Unilever as a sales representative selling food, health, and beauty products to 135 retail stores.

In 1987, after obtaining several management positions within Unilever Vic joined Coca-Cola where he has enjoyed a successful career selling all Minute Maid, Gold Peak, Simply Beverages, and juice drink products. Most of his sales background has been working with our retail partners throughout the United States. From 1996 to 1999, he shifted his focus to the Food Service division within Coca-Cola establishing Minute Maid products as a staple in restaurants, theme parks, and hotel chains. “It was a wonderful experience,” he said. “We called on everyone from Legoland to Hilton Hotels!”

On a personal note, Vic resides with his wife Barbara and their two sons, Armando (A.J.) and Austin, in Southern California. When he is not working, he loves to golf, fish, and spend time with his family.

CGA Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement

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. For the 2012/13 program year, the Educational Foundation awarded 275 scholarships totaling $328,250. The Foundation also disbursed more than $110,000 in tuition reimbursement.

“The Foundation appreciates the tremendous support it receives from the grocery industry over the last 20 years,” said Shiloh London, executive director, CGA Educational Foundation. “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.cgaef.org or contact Brianne Page at 916.448.3545.