Industry Supports National GMO Label Standard

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Nostrum minus ea suscipit porro alias corporis libero at. Perferendis omnis, veniam nemo beatae vel? Tempora numquam a repellat eaque natus, magnam?

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Two national grocery associations praised President Obama for signing into law a biotechnology labeling bill that creates a national labeling standard for food products made with genetically engineered ingredients and genetically modified organisms. President Obama signed S. 764 into law, a bi-partisan, bi-cameral action that sets in place one national standard for GMO disclosure that brings consistency, certainty and an end to restrictions on interstate commerce facing retailers, manufacturers and customers.

Leslie G. Saracen, President, Food Marketing Institute

“I am proud of the food retail industry’s role in helping get this legislation approved on Capitol Hill and now signed into law by President Obama. I am convinced it will help circumvent further consumer confusion on the already misunderstood and complex topic of GMOs.

“I am grateful that this law will help avoid further disruption in the interstate commerce of food products.  And I am encouraged that this law allows our industry to move beyond the traditional label and toward exploration of new and unprecedented ways of providing our customers with the information they need in making the wisest food choices for themselves and their families. In addition to the President’s role in signing it into law, we are most appreciative of the part U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and his team played during critical times in the legislative history of this law and will now play in implementation.

“The journey for this legislation from introduction on Capitol Hill to ratification in the Oval Office was a long and bumpy one, but this law will go a long way in helping us better achieve our mission of successfully feeding families and enriching lives.

“We sincerely extend our thanks to the President, Secretary Vilsack, and leaders in Congress who worked so diligently on a compromise, especially Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Democrat Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), as well as House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Ranking Democrat Collin Peterson (D-MN).”

Peter Larkin, President/CEO, National Grocers Association

“We appreciate President Obama taking action and signing into law this important bill that creates a national standard for the labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients. With this new law, consumers will have access to more information and the confidence that the label they are reading contains the same information from coast to coast.

“NGA is proud to have been a part of the Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food, a coalition that brought together over 1,100 entities that represent our nation’s food supply system, to advocate for a commonsense solution for the confusing and harmful patchwork of state labeling disclosure laws. We will continue to work on behalf of the independent supermarket industry throughout the rule making process at USDA to ensure implementation of this law is aligned with Congressional intent.”

 

2016 Grocers Day at the Capitol Highlights

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Nostrum minus ea suscipit porro alias corporis libero at. Perferendis omnis, veniam nemo beatae vel? Tempora numquam a repellat eaque natus, magnam?

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

grocersdaylogoGrocery retailers and their supplier partners from throughout California gathered in Sacramento on Tuesday, March 29, to share business concerns with their state representatives on key issues facing the grocery industry.

The face-to-face meetings with the majority of state legislators highlighted the 2016 CGA Grocers Day at the Capitol, the Association’s one-day member advocacy event in the State’s Capitol.

“This was a critical year for our members to participate in CGA’s premier member lobbying activity,” said CGA President Ron Fong. “Our members really stepped up and did a tremendous job of sharing our story and providing valuable insight into how our businesses operate.”

In addition to the face-to-face meetings, attendees heard from Gov. Jerry Brown who addressed a number of topics during his 30-minute presentation including the deal he closed with labor leaders over Easter weekend to introduce legislation that will raise the state’s minimum wage to $15.

The governor said the deal needed to be struck as an alternative to a minimum wage proposition that may appear on the November ballot that would be even more burdensome on California’s business community then his proposal.

The governor’s remarks were met with skepticism by the Association which later released a statement chiding the governor for not including the business community in its meeting with labor.

“While there may very well be a need to look at adjusting the minimum wage in California and working on the complex issues of income inequality and poverty, our members are disappointed in the way this measure was crafted in a backroom deal and passed by the Legislature, without their input, in less than a week,” Fong said in a statement on Thursday. “It seems irresponsible to mandate increases in wages without any consultation from the very businesses who will be forced to pay them.”

Attendees were also briefed by CGA staff on the key issues they would be discussing with legislators during their visits. These topics included employee scheduling, wine coupons, food bank donation tax credits and the state’s beleaguered beverage container recycling program.

Following an afternoon of legislative visits, CGA hosted its annual President’s Reception that allowed Grocers Day attendees to meet again with state legislators and staff but in a more relaxed environment.

CGA also hosted its popular Ice Cream Social, located this year inside the State Capitol and was sponsored by Clover Stornetta Farms which provided the ice cream and toppings.

The Association wishes to thank all sponsoring companies for their generous support of this year’s Grocers Day;

Gold Level
Albertsons, Safeway, Vons & Pavilions
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Unified Grocers, Inc.

Silver Level
C&S Wholesale Grocers
Costco Wholesale
Gelson’s Markets
Retail Marketing Services, Inc.

Bronze Level
Food 4 Less/Rancho San Miguel Markets
Grocery Outlet
North State Grocery, Inc.
Nutricion Fundamental
Ralphs Grocery Company/Food 4 Less
Smart & Final

Breakfast
Kellogg Company
Save Mart Supermarkets

Luncheon
Jelly Belly Candy Co.

Ice Cream Social
Clover Stornetta Farms, Inc.

President’s Reception
Command Packaging
MillerCoors

 

Grocers Day Highlights

[FAG id=3891]

Soda tax will not be on Davis ballot

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Nostrum minus ea suscipit porro alias corporis libero at. Perferendis omnis, veniam nemo beatae vel? Tempora numquam a repellat eaque natus, magnam?

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Reprinted from The Sacramento Bee
(2/3/2016)

After weeks of heated debate between local health advocates and small business owners, the Davis city council ultimately decided not to place a one-cent-per-ounce soda tax on the June 2016 ballot, with several members stating that it would not be an effective revenue-raising measure for much-needed city infrastructure.

The measure, first proposed in late 2015 and discussed at a mid-December council meeting, was modeled after a similar policy in Berkeley, the first city in the nation to add a tax to sugary beverages. Davis residents packed the chambers Tuesday night to voice either passionate support or vehement opposition about whether such a tax deserved a vote.

Health advocates gather outside Davis city hall Monday to voice support for potential soda tax. Video by Sammy Caiola, [email protected]@sacbee.com
The 3-2 rejection of the measure came to the great relief of small business owners, who showed up in force to explain how a soda tax would threaten their already thin profit margins. Many expressed concern that soda sales would go down, and that the tax would add an unfair burden to already-strapped employees.

“When these kinds of proposals are put together, it’s always the small consumers and small businesses that get hurt first,” said Suresh Kumar, owner of Olive Drive Market in Davis. “If you see what they’ve done in Berkeley, I have not heard anything positive about the tax that’s been imposed.”

Children’s health was the main talking point for proponents of the tax, who held a press conference Monday to rally support for the measure and inform the community about what they called a public health crisis. Several supporters showed up on Tuesday to voice concern about high rates of obesity and diabetes among youth.

“We need to protect our children,” said Davis resident Bill Ritter. “We need to educate the next generation about health habits, and this tax was a modest way to move in that direction.”

Rather than return with a formal sugary beverage tax measure for the ballot, as councilmen Robb Davis and Brett Lee had supported; city staff will return to council on Feb. 16 with ideas for a task force to address various child health issues. That solution came from a Substitute motion by councilwoman Rochelle Swanson, and garnered the support of councilman Lucas Frerichs and mayor Dan Wolk.

The council also declined to put on the June ballot a marijuana measure, which would have taxed the sale of cannabis should it be legalized on the state level, and a parcel tax. They agreed 4-1 to put a two percent raise to the existing 10% transient occupancy tax up for a vote.

 

CGA Hires Senior Director, Government Relations

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Nostrum minus ea suscipit porro alias corporis libero at. Perferendis omnis, veniam nemo beatae vel? Tempora numquam a repellat eaque natus, magnam?

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

SACRAMENTO, CA (February 1, 2016) – The California Grocers Association is pleased to announce the hiring of Aaron Moreno, as Senior Director, State Government Relations, effective immediately.

AaronMoreno_color
Aaron Moreno

In this position, Moreno is responsible for advocating, managing and coordinating CGA’s state, regulatory and local government relations programs. He will develop and implement strategies to coordinate state and local policy priorities and engage pro-actively to identify emerging policy issues.

His duties will also include managing CGA’s external advocacy team and the Association’s PAC and IEC programs. Moreno will report to Keri Askew Bailey, senior vice president, Government Relations and Public Policy.

“Aaron has worked inside the State Capitol for the past 10 years and has strong relationships with key legislators,” said Bailey. “CGA continues to strengthen its advocacy program and Aaron’s extensive experience is a tremendous plus for the Association.”

Prior to joining CGA, Moreno was Legislative Director for California Assemblymember Mike Gatto and was responsible for the oversight of the legislator’s legislative package, as well as staffing individual pieces of legislation. He has also served as Legislative Director for Assemblymember Joe Canciamilla and a Legislative Assistant for both Assembly Majority Leader Charles Calderon and Assemblymember Canciamilla.

“Aaron is a seasoned veteran in the Capitol,” said Bailey. “His understanding of how the Legislature operates and his vast professional relationships with legislators and their staff will greatly enhance our government relations program.”

Contact information:

Aaron Moreno
California Grocers Association
1215 K Street, Suite 700
Sacramento, CA
E-Mail: [email protected]

Onerous Grocery Worker Retention Bill Heads to Governor

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Nostrum minus ea suscipit porro alias corporis libero at. Perferendis omnis, veniam nemo beatae vel? Tempora numquam a repellat eaque natus, magnam?

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

The California State Senate on July 13, passed AB 359 (D-Gonzalez), a measure that would impose onerous worker retention requirements on traditional supermarkets, on a 22-14 vote. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk where he will have just 12 days to sign or veto the legislation.

While the vote came down largely along party lines, Big Labor was unable to secure support from four Democrats including Senators Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton) and Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) who voted no along with Senators Robert Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) and Lois Wolk (D-Davis) who did not vote. Republican Senator Jeff Stone (R-Riverside County) spoke in opposition to the bill.

Mirroring ordinances in five localities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, the bill seeks to require successor owners to retain eligible employees for at least 90 days under terms different than other company employees. Inexplicably, the bill exempts some of the largest competitors in the grocery space including superstores, chain pharmacies, and dollar discount stores.

CGA argued that the measure would create an unlevel playing field for California’s traditional supermarket sector as those companies would face additional barriers to store development and in sales transactions. In addition, we outlined concerns with significant avenues for litigation against companies. The California Chamber of Commerce has placed the bill on its annual “Job Killer” list.

 

CGA Statement Regarding California Senate Passing AB 359

We are extremely disappointed in the Senate’s action today in passing Assembly Bill 359. California Communities need more grocery options, not fewer. For the Legislature to approve a measure that unfairly singles out traditional grocery stores will only exacerbate food access and blight challenges in our State. Even the author acknowledges there is no identified problem and that this measure targets companies she herself stated have been, “…for the most part responsible employers in our state for a very long time.”

This bill will do little more than provide disincentives to grocery expansion and provide a competitive advantage to a select few – ironically those that do not generally provide the quality food options and middle-class jobs found in traditional markets. We applaud those members of the Senate—Democrats and Republicans alike who stood up for local communities and the grocers that support them. We look to Governor Brown to veto this poorly drafted attack on California’s grocery industry.

Ron Fong
President/CEO
California Grocers Association

CA WIC Announces New Vendor Agreements – Short Timeline for Document Return

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Nostrum minus ea suscipit porro alias corporis libero at. Perferendis omnis, veniam nemo beatae vel? Tempora numquam a repellat eaque natus, magnam?

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

On June 2, 2015, the California Department of Public Health/Women, Infants and Children Division (CA WIC) announced that authorized vendors will begin receiving new Vendor Agreements that must be signed and returned to CA WIC, generally within 15 days. Failure to respond will result in termination of vendor authorization.

WIC-LogoThe new agreements are intended to incorporate changes implemented in October of 2013 and June of 2014 relating to vendor authorization criteria, peer group criteria, and reimbursement rates. Vendor Alert 2015-05, available HERE and on the CA WIC web site, outlines specific areas of the Vendor Agreement that contain the new information and specific deadlines for current vendors with agreement expiration dates prior to and after August 1, 2015.

Should you have any questions, please contact CA WIC directly at 1-855-WIC STOR (1-855-942-7867) or via e-mail at [email protected].

Opinion: An illusion of action in California’s Capitol

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Nostrum minus ea suscipit porro alias corporis libero at. Perferendis omnis, veniam nemo beatae vel? Tempora numquam a repellat eaque natus, magnam?

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Reprinted from The Sacramento Bee

Anyone who wandered into the state Capitol this week might conclude that important business was being done.

The floors of both legislative houses are going full blast, working through more than 500 bills – the core of this year’s legislative agenda.

Meanwhile, a two-house conference committee is chewing through two versions of the 2015-16 state budget, supposedly reconciling their differences.

Lobbyists crowd the hallways, trying to have their way with legislators. And outside the Capitol, demonstrations and rallies are being staged by various interest groups, hoping to influence what’s happening inside.

What’s happening this week, however, is by no means definitive of anything. It’s all very preliminary, merely setting the stage for the real decision-making that will come later.

The floors are going due to a legislative rule that all bills must clear their “house of origin” by Friday and be sent to the other house.

Almost none of them are being rejected for the simple reason that the appropriations committees of both houses, acting on behalf of legislative leaders, pre-decided – in secrecy – which would reach the floors.

The real decisions on which bills will reach Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk won’t be made until August or even September.

They must clear the committees of the second house, the floor of the second house and then, almost always, a final vote in the house of origin before being sent to the governor.

Casting votes for or against measures now is easy because, in effect, those votes don’t count. And if history is any guide, quite a few of the bills being approved this week with flowery speeches and self-congratulatory press releases will never make it back, or be amended to something quite different.

The 500-plus bills going through the mill this week are, in the main, a very liberal agenda, spending many millions or even billions of dollars on new social, medical and educational benefits, plus imposing new costs on businesses, such as the minimum wage hike approved by the Senate on Monday.

Brown, however, has publicly warned against massive new spending and has looked askance at bills considered to be “job killers” by business groups, so when he finally passes the word on what he’ll accept, the agenda will likely shrink.

Indeed, about a third of the bills given that epithet by the California Chamber of Commerce have already fallen by the wayside.

The same dynamic is evident in the budget, which must, by law, be enacted by June 15, lest legislators lose their salaries.

Democrats want billions of dollars in spending, mostly for the poor, beyond what Brown has proposed and closed-door negotiations will eventually produce the budget he wants, or at least deems acceptable.

In brief, what’s happening this week in and around the Capitol is just a practice game – spring training, as it were, for the real games ahead.

Dan Walters: (916) 321-1195, [email protected], @WaltersBee
Read more here.

CGA Execs Receive Prestigious Industry Award

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Nostrum minus ea suscipit porro alias corporis libero at. Perferendis omnis, veniam nemo beatae vel? Tempora numquam a repellat eaque natus, magnam?

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

CGA President and CEO Ronald Fong, and Keri Askew Bailey, CGA senior vice president, Government Relations and Public Policy, were awarded the Food Marketing Institute’s Donald H. MacManus Award, the highest recognition for a state affairs executive,during FMI’s annual lobby day in Washington, DC, for their public affairs excellence. This is the first time two individuals from the same association have been honored in the same year.

CGA President/CEO Ron Fong and Keri Askew Bailey, senior vice president of Government Relations and Public Policy receive Donald MacManus Award.
CGA President/CEO Ron Fong and Keri Askew Bailey, senior vice president of Government Relations and Public Policy receive Donald MacManus Award.

“There is no one more worthy of this prestigious award than Ron Fong,” said CGA Chairman of the Board Joe Falvey, Unified Grocers, Inc. “His leadership and vision has brought CGA to the forefront of grocery associations. Keri Askew Bailey is also to be commended for leading CGA’s government relations team and implementing the association’s advocacy program. CGA congratulates both on a well-deserved award.”

Fong is a political strategist and his legislative alliances with state and national trade associations helped in defeating statewide legislation on GMO-labeling requirements and assisted in the passage of the first statewide bag usage law in 2014. He also led the association in its merger with the California Independent Grocers Association (CIGA), which united 179 independent grocers and suppliers with CGA’s existing membership. In his role as CEO, Fong oversees the association’s strategic direction and staff, which manages departments in government relations, communications, member services and business conferences.

“Ron Fong and Keri Askew Bailey exemplify the power of grassroots through their tireless efforts advocating on behalf of California retailers grocers on a multitude of state issues,” said FMI President Leslie Sarasin, “especially those issues related to the defeat of Proposition 37; fighting local sugarysugar-sweetened beverages drink warning labels and taxes; and passing a state-wide plastic bag bill with local preemption.”

Askew Bailey has worked on significant policy issues including Proposition 65; the Green Chemistry Initiative; attempts to curb deployment of assisted self-checkout technology in the state; and proposed state and local GMO- and sugar-sweetened beverage labeling. She has also worked to increase CGA’s visibility at the state Capitol and in local City Council and Board of Supervisors chambers across the stateand local government levels.

Left to right Richie Morgan, Shanna Morgan, North State Grocery; Jonathan Mayes, Albertsons/Safeway; Ron Fong, CGA; Bob Gutierrez, Food 4 Less (Stockton); Dennis Darling, Foods Etc.; Kevin Davis, Bristol Farms; Joe Falvey, Unified Grocers, Inc; and Mike Amiri, Nutricion Fundamental, Inc.
Left to right
Richie Morgan, Shanna Morgan, North State Grocery; Jonathan Mayes, Albertsons/Safeway; Ron Fong, CGA; Bob Gutierrez, Food 4 Less (Stockton); Dennis Darling, Foods Etc.; Kevin Davis, Bristol Farms; Joe Falvey, Unified Grocers, Inc; and Mike Amiri, Nutricion Fundamental, Inc.

“Keri & Ron work tirelessly to advocate for California’s food retailers, suppliers and employees at the state, federal and local levels,” said CGA Government Relations Committee Chair Mary Kasper, Fresh & Easy. “CGA is deeply appreciative of their extraordinary vision and leadership.”

Related Links:

CGA Hosts Annual Lobby Day

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Nostrum minus ea suscipit porro alias corporis libero at. Perferendis omnis, veniam nemo beatae vel? Tempora numquam a repellat eaque natus, magnam?

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Grocery retailers and suppliers from throughout California gathered in Sacramento on Wednesday, April 8, to discuss key industry issues with state legislators and staff during CGA’s Annual Grocers Day at the Capitol.

More than 60 grocers and suppliers participated in this one-day annual event that included face-to-face meetings with legislators in the State Capitol. Prior to their Capitol visits, attendees heard from freshman Assemblymember David Hadley (R-Torrance) and political insider Paul Mitchell.

“Grocers Day is our industry’s opportunity to talk face to face with state elected officials and discuss the key legislation being considered,” said CGA President/CEO Ron Fong. “This year was particularly important due to the challenging legislation now before both houses.”

To maximize their legislative visits, attendees were separated into smaller groups and pre-assigned legislators with stores in their district. CGA staff supplied each attendee with talking points and leave behind material on three key pieces of legislation, including:

  • AB 359 (Gonzalez) – Grocery Worker Retention
  • AB 305 (Gonzalez) Workers’ Compensation Apportionments
  • AB 357 (Chiu) Employee Scheduling

Following Grocers Day, attendees and legislators were invited to CGA’s annual President’s Reception at the Association’s headquarters, which provided a more causal atmosphere to further discuss industry topics.

[FAG id=2631]

Agriculture Secretary Addresses CGA Board

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Nostrum minus ea suscipit porro alias corporis libero at. Perferendis omnis, veniam nemo beatae vel? Tempora numquam a repellat eaque natus, magnam?

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross addressed the CGA Board of Directors on Thursday, April 10, on the impact of California’s ongoing drought.

Secretary Ross said the state is going to have to make “some very hard decisions in this very serious time.”

Ron Fong, CGA President; Secretary Karen Ross; CGA Chair Joe Falvey, Unified Grocers, Inc.
Ron Fong, CGA President; Secretary Karen Ross; CGA Chair Joe Falvey, Unified Grocers, Inc.

She said California should look to countries like Australia to better understand the impact of long-term droughts, including the critical importance of water conservation. She said Australians, who have endured an ongoing drought for nearly two decades, would be shocked by California’s lack of sustained water conservation, saying “drought fatigue” coupled with some rain this past month has created a false sense of water security with many Californian’s abandoning their water conservation efforts. The latest monthly statewide water conservation numbers were at their lowest levels since the drought began.

In developing solutions to California’s drought and ever-growing water challenges, entities involved in water management and usage will need to better understand how it is used and the multiple benefits of every water molecule.

She told the Board there needs to be more cooperative agreements between groups with different water priorities, singling out the adversarial relationship between farmers and environmentalists. She called on California’s rich history of cooperation to help fuel the innovation needed to prepare and reduce the impact of future droughts.

Secretary Ross recognized the importance of the grocery industry, saying it is “a critical part of our food chain.” She said her department wants to partner with the grocery industry. She thanked grocery retailers involved in the state’s California Grown program and encouraged all retailers to participate.