FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793 1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail: [email protected]

Association Recognizes Member Companies For Going The “Extra Mile”

SACRAMENTO, CA — (November 7, 2012) – The California Grocers Association presented its Government Relations Advocacy Awards to two individual members and three member companies in recognition of their significant support of the Association’s government relations program.

“The foundation of our Association is government relations,” said CGA President/CEO Ronald Fong. “These individuals and companies went the extra mile this past year in supporting the many CGA advocacy programs through their active participation.”

This year’s recipients received their awards during the Association’s annual Government Relations Committee meeting on November 7, 2012. They included:

• 2012 Advocate of the Year (Individual)
  Kendra Doyel, Ralphs Grocery Company, Compton
• 2012 Advocate of the Year (Company)
  Gelson’s Markets, Encino, CA
  El Super, Paramount, CA
  Save Mart Supermarkets, Modesto, CA
• 2012 Supplier Advocate of the Year
  Robert Phillips, Coca-Cola Refreshments

Fong said CGA is fortunate to have strong membership advocacy support. For the Association to succeed with its government relations’ agenda both at the state and local level, membership needs to engage in the issues, he added.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit trade association representing the food industry since 1898 and represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada.

SAN DIEGO, CA (August 29, 2013) – The California Grocers Association joined Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Van Nuys), other state and local officials and environmentalists at a press conference inside Sea World San Diego on Thursday to encourage reusable bag use by reducing single-bag usage.

“The model of banning single-use plastic bags and allowing recyclable paper bags for a nominal charge
has shown to encourage reusable bag use, provide consumers no-cost and low-cost carryout options, and
minimize operational and financial impacts to retailers,” said Sarah Paulson Sheehy, Director, Southern
California Government Relations, CGA.

Numerous jurisdictions throughout San Diego County are considering carryout bag legislation. CGA has
encouraged municipalities to adopt a regional approach to regulating carryout bag use, rather than individual cities approving differing ordinances.

While a regional and measured approach can “respect the public and businesses while working to achieve
environmental goals,” Sheehy said the regulating of bags is a statewide concern and should be resolved in the State Legislature.

“This would create the most environmental benefit and eliminate the patchwork of local legislation,” she said. “As an industry, we continue to push for a reasonable statewide law in order to remove the difficulty of implementing dozens of varying local bag laws.”

Earlier this year, Senator Padilla introduced legislation – Senate Bill 405 – to regulate carryout bag use.

Other speakers included; John Reilly, President, Sea World San Diego; Nathan Weaver, Environment California; Kevin Konopasek, San Diego Tourism Authority; Chris Ward, Office of Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego) and Jill Witkowski, San Diego Coastkeeper.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793 1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail: [email protected]

SACRAMENTO, CA (March 25, 2013) – The California Grocers Association has announced the hiring of Dane Hutchings as Government Relations Manager, effective immediately.

In this position, Hutchings will be responsible for bill tracking and analysis, regulatory analysis, member relations, and grassroots development. In addition, he will work with CGA members to develop positions and draft advocacy messages and represent the organization before the Legislature.

Hutchings began working with Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide in 2010, serving as the interface between the government affairs and public affairs practice areas. He was responsible for advocacy and support for multiple California legislative and regulatory issue areas including: renewable energy, transportation, toxic substances, small business, revenue & tax and labor while cultivating and maintaining relationships with legislative members, key policy staff, as well as numerous trade associations and contract lobbyists.

Most notably, Hutchings was part of the communications and outreach team for the California high-speed rail statewide infrastructure project, as well as overseeing the execution of a high-school awareness campaign for the California Office of Traffic Safety – highlighting the dangers of texting and driving. Prior to that, Hutchings worked as a legislative aide for Mattos & Associates, a government relations firm specializing in association management.

“Dane’s government and public affairs knowledge will be of considerable value to CGA as the Association continues to raise the bar in its advocacy efforts,” said CGA Vice President, Government Relations, Keri Askew Bailey.”

Hutchings attended Sacramento State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, with a Public Relations emphasis.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit trade association representing the food industry since 1898 and represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 stores in California and Nevada.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793 1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail: [email protected]

Grocers meet with USDA Undersecretary, Policy Aides to First Lady
and California Congressmen.

SACRAMENTO, CA (February 1, 2013) – A delegation of California Grocers Association retail grocer members, along with CGA staff, traveled to the nation’s capital in late January hoping to resolve a moratorium on applying for new WIC licenses.

The group met with U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon, policy aides to First Lady Michelle Obama and several members of Congress.

California grocers have faced the indefinite moratorium for just under two years. The purpose of the Washington D.C. visit was twofold: to achieve short term interim measures that will allow responsible vendors to apply for waivers and obtain WIC licenses; and to help regulators identify long-term solutions that will allow the moratorium to be lifted.

While CGA has worked closely to assist the California Department of Public Health – WIC Program in its efforts to address serious oversight challenges that led to the moratorium, the USDA is the only one at this point that has the authority authorize individual vendor applications or approve California’s action plan and lift the indefinite moratorium.

CGA made headway with the USDA in terms of outlining the need for individual store location exemptions that take into account not merely “access” for WIC participants but also the quality and cost of that access.

In addition, grocery company representatives were able to discuss the community impacts of store closings when new owners are unable to obtain a WIC license. The group also received a better outline of what the USDA is looking for from California in terms of affirmative actions that will ultimately help bring an end to the ongoing moratorium.

CGA will continue to prioritize California’s WIC challenges and redouble efforts to help the State and Federal governments address the significant issues identified in California.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit trade association representing the food industry since 1898 and represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 stores in California and Nevada.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793 1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail: [email protected]

BURBANK, CA – Randall G. Scoville, Senior Vice President, Accounting and International Sales, Unified Grocers, Inc., was elected California Shopping Cart Retrieval Corporation Chairman of the Board at its recent Annual Meeting.

As Chair, Scoville will lead CSCRC’s overall company strategy. He had served five years on the CSCRC Board of Directors. The corporation was formed in 1993 to create an efficient means of returning shopping carts to grocery stores in Southern California after they are removed from store property. Its customer base now includes all retail sectors and has expanded service areas to Northern California and Nevada. CSCRC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the California Grocers Association.

At Unified Grocers, Scoville is responsible for the company’s accounting operations, maintaining internal accounting controls, budgeting, financial closings, external reporting and compliance and financial analysis in support of its business plans, along with the financial activities of the Company’s insurance operations. He also has responsibility for Unified’s International Operations.

“Randy has been a tremendous asset to our operation,” said CSCRC President David Reid. “His expertise and attention to detail, coupled with his considerable knowledge of the retail industry, makes him the perfect selection for this important position.”

Scoville succeeds Richard Domanski who served as CSCRC chair for six years.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793 1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail: [email protected]

Foundation to Recognize Two Grocery Executives for Service to Industry, Community

SACRAMENTO, CA — (January 18, 2013) – Jim Lee, President and Chief Operating Officer, Stater Bros. Markets and Vic Chiono, Vice President Sales, West U.S., Coca-Cola Refreshments, will be 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.

“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 Group Senior Vice President of Retail Operations in 2002, bringing to the Company over 30 years of supermarket experience. Headquartered in San Bernardino, Calif., Stater Bros. is a Fortune 500 company, and the largest privately owned supermarket chain based in Southern California with 167 stores, nearly $3.8 billion in annual sales, and over 18,000 employees.

Jim began his grocery career with Ralphs Grocery Company in 1972 as a clerk’s helper. 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.

Prior to joining Stater Bros., Jim was 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 his time with Wild Oats, he helped the company “go public” and oversaw a 600 percent 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 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. Jim also graduated 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. He was the USC Marshall School of Business, Food Industry Management (FIM) Program 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). He is on the WAFC Executive Committee 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, Calif. They have been married 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 United States. Vic has been in sales and sales marketing for over 36 years, just completing over 26 years within Coca-Cola, holding numerous sales and management positions.

Vic got started in the grocery industry at age 10 sorting bottles and sweeping the parking lots of his father’s Safeway store. He 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 retailers throughout the United States. From 1996 to 1999, he shifted his focus to the Food Service division establishing Minute Maid products as a staple in restaurants, theme parks, and hotel chains.

Vic resides with his wife Barbara and their two sons, Armando (A.J.) and Austin, in Southern California.

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 providing financial assistance to advance the educational goals of CGA member employees and their dependents and offers educational programs for the grocery industry.”

For more information on the Hall of Achievement visit www.cgaef.org, or contact Brianne Page at 916.448.3545.

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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 IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793 1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail: [email protected]

SACRAMENTO, CA (January 24, 2013) – The California Grocers Association is pleased to announce the hiring of Sunny Chang as Membership Marketing Manager, effective immediately.

In this position, Chang is responsible for expanding the Association’s member initiatives and promoting the benefits of Association involvement among existing and prospective companies in the retail grocery industry. In addition, she will oversee the creation, promotion and delivery of various member programs, membership communications and initiating member outreach. She will also be responsible for integrating communication activities across various organization departments to assure continuous, comprehensive and brand-supportive messaging.

Chang brings to CGA nearly a decade of marketing and brand management experience in multiple industries. Prior to CGA, she was Digital Media Manager for Ericsson, a telecommunications equipment and services provider. She has also worked as a graphic designer at several Sacramento-based graphic design studios including Pat Davis Design Group, Marketing By Design and United Parenting Publications.

“Sunny’s extensive professional experience, enthusiastic attitude and demonstrated ability to coordinate and direct projects will allow the Association to better service our membership and effectively promote the Association’s numerous benefits to potential members,” said CGA President and CEO Ronald K. Fong.

Chang graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a BS in Visual Communications and a Master of Business Administration focusing on Marketing and General Management.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit trade association representing the food industry since 1898 and represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 stores in California and Nevada.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793 1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail: [email protected]

Grocery Executive To Serve One-Year Term As Chair

SACRAMENTO, CA (Nov. 30, 2012) – Kevin Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bristol Farms, was elected the 2012-2013 California Grocers Association Chairman of the Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting on Nov. 30, 2012.

As Chairman, Davis will lead the Association’s strategy over the 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 Jonathan Mayes, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Government Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy for Safeway Inc.,

“Kevin is a dynamic, knowledgeable grocery executive who brings to the table years of experience in the food industry,” said CGA President and CEO Ronald K. Fong. “He has proven to be a valuable resource for the Association. He has a keen understanding of how the grocery industry works.”

In addition to Davis, the following individuals were elected to the 2012-2013 CGA Board of Directors Executive Committee: First Vice Chair, Mary Kasper, Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market; Second Vice Chair, John Quinn, Food 4 Less (Stockton)/Times Supermarkets; Treasurer, Kevin Konkel, Raley’s; Secretary, Joe Falvey, Unified Grocers, Inc.; and Immediate Past Chair, Jonathan Mayes, Safeway 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 Refreshments.

Directors elected for their first full three-year term include: Renee Amen, Super A Foods; Teresa Anaya, Northgate Gonzalez Markets; Joe Angulo, Bodega Latina dba El Super; Eric Nadworny, Save Mart Supermarkets; Kendra Doyel, Ralphs Grocery Co.; Eric Lindberg, Jr., Grocery Outlet; Hee-Sook Nelson, Gelson‟s Markets; Naresh Solanki, Bestway Markets; John Swindell, Food 4 Less/Kroger; Paul Turcotte, Pepsi Beverages Company; Jon Alden, Jelly Belly Candy Co.; Denny Belcastro, Hillshire Brands Company; and Bob Richardson, The Clorox Company.

“This is the largest „freshmen‟ class in quite some time,” said Fong. “It demonstrates the strength of CGA and the confidence our industry has in the Association.”

Former Chairman of the Board Jim Amen, Super A Foods, Inc., was nominated an Honorary Board Member.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 400 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793 1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail: [email protected]

Californians say no to flawed initiative

SACRAMENTO, CA — (November 7, 2012) – California Grocers Association President/CEO Ron Fong responds to defeat of Proposition 37. CGA strongly opposed the initiative. “We are very pleased with the outcome of Proposition 37 and thank California voters for seeing through this deceptive measure. California grocers agree that consumers should have access to information, but the form of that information is critically important.”

“Any food labeling requirements should be consistently applied regardless of where food is purchased, should meet national standards, and should come in a form that helps achieve compliance not enrich trial lawyers at the expense of higher food costs. Proposition 37 simply failed to meet that standard. That being said, CGA has already begun discussions with our diverse membership to identify solutions we can bring to the table to help consumers better access information they may want.”

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit trade association representing the food industry since 1898 and represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

Initiative to require the labeling of genetically engineered food.

SACRAMENTO, CA – (Sept. 13, 2012) California Grocers Association President Ronald K. Fong testified before a California Legislature Joint Informational Hearing today, telling legislators that a controversial initiative on the November ballot would create a litigation nightmare for grocery retailers if approved by voters.

In testimony before the Senate Committee and the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Fong said Proposition 37, which would require labeling of genetically engineered food, isn’t “really about the ‘right to know,’ but is about the ‘right to sue.’ And when it is time to sue, grocery retailers will be on the front line.”

“When lawsuits are filed, the trial lawyers might not be able to figure out who makes Cheerios,” Fong said, “but they sure as heck will know where they bought them.”

Fong told the Joint Hearing that Proposition 37 was written by a trial lawyer who helped write California’s Proposition 65 and whose organization has reaped millions of dollars from suing California businesses under the provisions of that proposition. Prop. 37 allows any private citizen, including attorneys, to sue, claiming a food company, grocer or farmer has violate the labeling provisions. He called it a “lose-lose” situation, with consumers having to pay higher grocery and taxpayer costs.

“In the last two decades, Prop. 65 has been abused by plaintiffs’ lawyers seeking to shakedown grocers into paying huge settlements that benefit only lawyers,” Fong said.

Quoting the California Legislative Analyst, Fong said, “Retailers such as grocery stores would be primarily responsible for complying with the measure by ensuring that their food products are correctly labeled.”

“That means grocers would be responsible for a paper trail on every ingredient of every food product we sell,” he told legislators. “That’s potentially hundreds of thousands of products requiring paperwork down to the seed level.”

Fong also addressed the initiative’s numerous loopholes and exemptions.

Citing a number of food products exempted from the proposition, Fong asked, “If the proponents of Prop. 37 were so concerned about our “right to know” or health, why would they exempt two-thirds of the food we eat every day?”

Fong joined Jamie Johansson, California Farm Bureau Federation and Kent Bradford, Seed Biotechnology Center, UC-Davis, in testifying in opposition to the controversial initiative.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit trade association representing the food industry since 1898 and represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 stores in California and Nevada.