Each year, CGA brings the California grocery industry together for three days of networking and education to strengthen business connections and explore timely topics and challenges facing the industry. In late September, the grocery community reunited in Palm Springs for the 2024 CGA Strategic Conference: Accelerating Impact. With emerging technologies transforming retail and the way we do business, this year’s conference centered on the impacts of artificial intelligence and new technology to help the grocery industry prepare.

A high-powered panel of AI and supply chain experts took the main stage to break down the implications of AI for the value chain. MIT professor Vivek Farias led a deep dive presentation on AI, then joined a panel discussion featuring Mario Adamy (UNFI), Miguel Paredes (Silicon Foundry), and Craig Rosenblum (Columbus Consulting).

In addition to our signature retailer-supplier business meetings and networking opportunities, this year’s event featured several new sessions and social events. Comedian Jake Johanssen kicked off the event with a hilarious stand-up routine, and attendees decompressed after a day of meetings and education at the CGA Silent Disco. To help attendees navigate California’s unique customers and retail environment, we introduced the first Golden State Summit. Led by subject experts, these TED-talk style presentations unpacked the state’s population and demographic shifts (Hans Johnson, PPIC), the evolving retail environment and store formats (Caroline Wu, Placer.ai), attitudes toward new technology (Jeremy S. Thompson, Edelman Global Advisory), and emerging consumer trends and preferences (Dan Frommer, The New Consumer).

The popular Emerging Brands Pitch Contest was back this year and bigger than ever. Six hand-selected emerging companies took the main stafe to pitch their product to a panel of judges representing Bristol Farms, Gelson’s Markets, Safeway Northern California, Costco Wholesale, and Sprouts Farmers Market. Myles Comfort Food took home first place and the people’s choice award, followed Top Fox Snacks in second place and Fresh Fizz Sodas in third.

Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, partners, and attendees, for contributing to the success of this year’s conference. We hope you left our event with strong connections and valuable takeaways to accelerate your business into the food industry’s fast-paced future.

Save the date for next year’s Strategic Conference on September 21—23, 2025 at The Westin Mission Hills, Rancho Mirage.

How Will GLP-1 Drugs Impact the Grocery Industry?

According to recent projections from FMI, nearly a third of U.S. consumers could begin using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, reshaping the food landscape as we know it. In the latest issue of California Grocer magazine, CGA explores what’s in store for “The New Food Frontier” amid the rise of GLP-1 drugs and health-conscious consumers.

This issue takes a holistic view of health and wellness to unpack implications for the grocery industry and consumers. In a state that drives national standards, Tim Townsend delves into California food safety laws that shape the grocery industry beyond the state’s borders. As inflation strains shoppers’ wallets, our “Consumer Financial Health Report” projects what lies ahead for grocery spending and prices. Spend “15 Minutes With” Julie Chapon, co-founder of Yuka, an app that analyzes products for impacts on health and the environment. Nutritionist and wellness expert Katie Bressack discusses the grocery store as a destination for personalized wellness, and Kevin Coupe muses about the wellness paradox.

Don’t miss the following must-read sections from Issue 2:

• GLP-1 Drugs and the Rise of Health-Conscious Consumers
  • Pg 16 | Michele Fuller
• The California Consumers’ Financial Health
  • Pg 26 | Nate Rose
• The California Health Laws that Shape the Landscape for Grocers
  • Pg 22 | Tim Townsend
• The Wellness Paradox
  • Pg 8 | Kevin Coupe

CGA Helps Drive the State Towards a Common Sense and Sustainable Approach to Bags

Sacramento, CA (February 8, 2024) — Today during a press conference at the California State Capitol, the California Grocers Association announced its support of Sen. Catherine Blakespear’s (D-San Diego) and Asm. Rebecca Bauer-Kahan’s (D-Alameda) proposed bill banning the distribution of plastic film reusable bags for grocery retailers.

As consumer demand for sustainability evolves, CGA is helping guide this shift as a natural next step for grocery bags in California following the passage of SB 270 ten years ago, which eliminated single-use carryout bags. Without compromising convenience, this bill encourages a thoughtful approach to bags by prompting shoppers to bring reusable bags they already own from home. Consumers will still be able to purchase paper bags if they do not have a reusable bag.

“Beginning with the passage of SB 270 in 2014, California’s grocery industry has played a leading role in driving the state towards a common sense and responsible approach to the use of plastics and packaging by consumers,” said California Grocers Association VP of Government Relations, Daniel Conway. “We know that even the best policies may need to be updated over time to reflect changes in our society, so today marks the continuation of the work that started with SB 270 and is an important new chapter in our efforts to support the communities grocers serve and our environment.”

Effective January 1, 2026, the bill proposes that grocery stores may not provide a plastic film reusable grocery bag to consumers at the point of sale. To continue incentivizing waste reduction, grocers can offer non-plastic film reusable grocery bags or recycled paper bags to a consumer for no less than 10 cents at the point of sale. Reusable bags must meet certain requirements, like being made of washable material. Recycled paper bags are to be made available at no cost to WIC and SNAP customers.

“Consumers are calling for sustainable practices from California businesses, but still value a convenient shopping experience. This bill bridges the two to meet consumers where they are while demonstrating care for the environments in which our stores reside,” said CGA President and CEO Ron Fong.

About CGA

For more than 125 years, the California Grocers Association has served as the voice of the state’s grocery community. A nonprofit, statewide trade association, CGA’s membership is comprised of over 300 retailers operating more than 6,000 brick-and-mortar stores, and approximately 150 grocery supply companies.

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