Grocers Gather In Sacramento

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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

Doug Scholz Promoted to VP

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scholz_checkoutThe 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.

Red Cross/CGA Host Preparedness Workshop

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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.

CGA Goes To Washington

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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

CGA Members Meet With Assemblyman Cedillo

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Representatives from the California Grocers Association and several member companies, including Northgate Gonzalez Markets, El Super, Vons and Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market enjoyed lunch with Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D – Los Angeles) on Friday, March 6.

Cedillo has served in the Legislature since 1998 when he was first elected to the State Assembly. Four years later he won a seat in the State Senate where he served two terms, returning to the Assembly in 2010. Cedillo is currently seeking election to the Los Angeles City Council in the 1st District.

Photo: (from l to r) Joe Angulo, El Super; Sarah Paulson Sheehy, CGA; Robin Howard, Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market; Assemblyman Gil Cedillo; Ron Fong, CGA and Frank Aguirre, El Super.

U.S. Supreme Court Denies Petition for Certiorari

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The U.S. Supreme Court on January 23, 2012, denied a Petition for Certiorari filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation on behalf of the California Grocers Association (CGA) that challenged the legality of the City of Los Angeles’ Grocery Worker Retention Ordinance.

The ordinance requires grocery companies that acquire an existing grocery store location to retain the employees of the predecessor company in certain circumstances. CGA had originally filed a lawsuit in 2006 against the City of Los Angeles to overturn the ordinance. Two lower courts ruled in favor of CGA stating the ordinance was preempted by existing federal authority over labor-management relations.

Last July, the California Supreme Court reversed those decisions concluding that federal labor law does not give an employer the absolute right to choose its employees, and does not prevent state and local governments from regulating hiring and firing decisions.

In November, the Pacific Legal Foundation was retained by CGA to petition the U.S. Supreme Court for review of the California high court’s ruling. PLF argued that compelling retention of employees after a new owner acquired a store would violate the new owner’s negotiating rights under federal labor law by potentially binding the employer in an unwanted relationship with an individual employee and their union.

“We are very disappointed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision denying review of our case,” said CGA President Ronald Fong. “Despite the Court’s decision, I am confident the Association did the right thing in challenging this very damaging ordinance.”

Three other cities, San Francisco, Gardena and Santa Monica have passed similar ordinances.

The court denied review without comment.

CGA/CGAEF Update Mission Statements

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CGA and the CGA Educational Foundation will have new mission statements if approved by their governing boards in the coming months. A cross section of CGA members met last week to develop the statements. Included in the committee were representatives from both the CGA Board of Directors and the CGAEF Board of Trustees.

The goal according to CGA President Ron Fong was to create mission statements that better reflect the Association’s and Foundation’s evolving direction and focus.

“I was very impressed by the level of engagement by our committee participants,” said Fong said. “They drove the entire development of both mission statements.”

Direction Set for 2012 CGA Strategic Conference

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CGA’s Convention Committee met January 24 to develop the program for the 2012 CGA Strategic Conference, Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The annual grocery gathering returns to California for the first time since 1996.

“We’re excited to bring the show back to California this year,” said CGA President Ron Fong. “We’re equally excited to build on the tremendous momentum that came out of last year’s show. This will definitely be a ‘can’t miss’ event for anyone doing business in California.”

Committee discussion topics included additional educational offerings, enhanced networking events and expanded sponsorship opportunities.

CGA Files Lawsuit Against ABC

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The California Grocers Association on Dec. 28, 2011, filed a petition for writ of mandate to stay a California Alcoholic Beverage Control Industry Advisory that attempts to provide guidance in complying with a new state law to regulate alcoholic beverage sales at assisted self-checkout terminals.

CGA claims the Advisory is inconsistent with the statute, unenforceable, and in violation of the California Administrative Procedure Act (APA).

The new law, Business and Professions Code Section 23394.7, takes effect January 1, 2012. The law provides that “no privileges under an off-sale license shall be exercised by the licensee at any customer-operated checkout stand located on the licensee’s physical premises.”

“The Advisory attempts to provide grocery retailers guidance on how to comply with the new law, by defining one of the law’s key provisions. But the definition is vague and the Advisory is an illegal underground regulation,” said CGA President Ron Fong. “The Advisory is as unclear as the law itself. To protect our members, CGA was forced to file this writ.”

Rather than issue this Advisory, Fong said, the ABC should follow standard procedure and promulgate regulations through the APA.

“We strongly disagree with the ABC’s attempted interpretation of the new law,” Fong said, adding CGA met with ABC officials to discuss the new law. “What was discussed in our meetings was significantly different than the Industry Advisory released last week.”

CGA filed the writ in the California Third District Court of Appeal. In addition to requesting the advisory be withdrawn, CGA requested the Court immediately issue an alternative writ of mandate that stays the effectiveness of the advisory pending a final ruling by the Court.

CGA Elects New Chairman

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Jonathan Mayes, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Government Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy for Safeway Inc., was elected the 2011-2012 California Grocers Association Chairman of the Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting on Dec. 2, 2011.

As Chairman, Mayes will oversee the Association’s numerous legislative, educational and industry related programs. CGA is comprised of more than 400 retail companies operating more than 6,000 stores in California and Nevada. The chair serves for one year. He succeeds Immediate Past Chair Jim Amen, President and CEO of Super A Foods, Inc., City of Commerce, CA.

“Jonathan’s considerable government relations knowledge coupled with his industry experience will be a tremendous asset as the Association continues to expand its presence in the Capitol,” said CGA President and CEO Ronald K. Fong.

In addition to Mayes, the following individuals were elected to the 2011-2012 CGA Board of Directors Executive Committee: First Vice Chair, Kevin Davis, Bristol Farms; Second Vice Chair, John Quinn, Food 4 Less (Stockton)/Times Supermarkets; Treasurer, Mary Kasper, Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market; Secretary, Kevin Konkel, Raley’s; and Past Chair, Jim Amen, Super A Foods, Inc.

This year’s Chairman’s appointments to the Executive Committee include: Dave Jones, Kellogg Company, Mike Read, WinCo Foods, Inc.; and Dora Wong, Coca-Cola Company. Wong was also elected for a second three-year term.

Directors elected for their first full three-year term include: John Eagan, Costco Wholesale; Rick Fry, Cardenas Markets; Ric Hamacher, Bimbo Bakeries, USA; Dave Huettl, Albertsons/ SUPERVALU; Frank Jimenez, The Hershey Company; John Kok, Procter & Gamble; Dan Meyer, Stater Bros. Markets; Phil Miller, C&S Wholesale Grocers; John Parke, E&J Gallo Winery; Harish Solanki, Big Saver Foods, Inc.; and Mike Stamper, Nestle DSD.

Former Chairman of the Board George Frahm, Stater Bros. Markets, was nominated an Honorary Board Member.