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

SACRAMENTO, CA, July 2, 2012 – California Grocers Association Educational Foundation today launched its new website, www.cgaef.org, to provide CGA member employees and their dependents with relevant and easy-to-find information on educational programs and scholarship offerings.

“We are very excited about the capability of our new website which allows us to share our mission of providing financial assistance to advance the educational goals of CGA member employees and their dependents and offer educational programs for the grocery industry,” commented CGAEF Chairman of the Board Jim Van Gorkom, NuCal Foods, Inc.

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 looking to find college scholarship opportunities and tuition reimbursement information will have user-friendly navigation bars and drop-down menus on the homepage to shortcut to pages of interest.

“With the growth of the Foundation’s college scholarship program in recent years and the future expansion of our educational program, our website will serve as an important tool for us to share our unique story,” said Shiloh London, CGAEF Executive Director. “The site’s look and overall functionality will ensure an engaging experience for our users and a one-stop source for finding trusted, reliable information on grocery industry educational and scholarship opportunities.”

Additionally, the new site allows for online Foundation event registration and contains information about the Foundation’s 20-year history and governance activity and now shines a brighter spotlight on many of the 2,300 worthy college students that have benefited from the Foundation’s $2.7 million in educational awards since 1991.

Erica Hagaman is one of many recipients with a unique success story chronicled on the new website. She learned about CGAEF scholarship opportunities from her father Jim, a longtime employee of Gelson’s Markets in Newport Beach. Today she is a rising entrepreneur in Southern California and was recently featured on a national episode of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars.

“The Foundation’s new website will give us a platform in which to share Erica’s story and so many others like hers,” said CGAEF Trustee Jacquie Slobom, Gelson’s Markets.

The new website also includes:

• Detailed information on CGAEF funded, Legacy, Donor and Piggyback Partnership Scholarships;
• Numerous resources for students, donors, and industry partners;
• Online event registration and tuition reimbursement applications;
• Webinars on a variety of grocery industry topics

The CGA Educational Foundation was created under the direction of the California Grocers Association Board of Directors in 1991 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. 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.

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

CGAEF marks two-decades legacy of awarding California’s deserving grocery employees and their families with the gift of education.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—June 13, 2012—Hundreds of California grocery industry employees with receive life-changing financial assistance this year through college scholarships awarded by the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation.

Currently the largest state-wide program in America supporting the grocery industry, the CGA Educational Foundation College Scholarship Program will offer 258 deserving students a record $341,250 in financial relief from ever-rising costs that prevent many from completing their education, a $60,000 increase over last year’s award total.

“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 continuously 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 CGAEF Chairman of the Board Jim Van Gorkom, NuCal Foods, Inc.

Beginning with a single scholarship in 1992, the Foundation has grown exponentially over the last 20 years to bestow more than 2,300 worthy college students with awards totaling more than $2.7 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 Partnership Scholarships. 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 growth of the Foundation’s college scholarship program has been nothing short of phenomenal,” noted CGA President and CEO Ronald Fong. “In these challenging economic times, the mission of the CGAEF is helping individuals achieve their goals by providing the opportunity to enhance job skills and education by assisting with the cost of tuition is all the more important.”

Shiloh London, CGAEF Executive Director, also cited the vision for the college scholarship program. “We hope the results of our program this year will be twofold—that California’s grocery industry will retain skilled, qualified employees, and that this will serve as a catalyst for future philanthropic fundraising in ever larger amounts to support present and future generations of grocery industry employees,” she said.

The CGA Educational Foundation was created under the direction of the California Grocers Association Board of Directors in 1992 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. 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
E-mail: [email protected]

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

SACRAMENTO, CA – (June 4, 2012) – The California Grocers Association Educational Foundation announced today the hiring of Shiloh London as its first Executive Director, effective immediately.

As Executive Director, London will provide leadership in implementing the Foundation’s strategic plan, developing and managing educational programs, overseeing fundraising and creating greater awareness for the Foundation within California’s grocery industry.

“We are very pleased to bring Shiloh on board,” said CGA Educational Foundation President Ronald Fong. “With the difficult economic climate we’re experiencing and increased educational costs, it’s the Foundation’s goal to significantly expand its industry education, college scholarship and tuition reimbursement offerings. The Board of Trustees believed it was time to hire an Executive Director to accomplish this key Foundation objective.”

Prior to this new role, London’s professional experience included serving as Executive Director, Business Development for the Foundation for California Community Colleges and as Senior Campaign Director for United Way California Capital Region.

“In 2011, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees developed a multi-year strategic plan to greatly expand our educational program,” said CGAEF Board of Trustees Chair Jim Van Gorkom. “We then recognized the need for additional resources and expertise to build upon the solid programming established by the founding trustees. Bringing Shiloh aboard during our 20th anniversary is excellent timing. We are excited to have her join the Foundation, and confident she will move us forward in achieving our goals.”

Fong said London will be responsible for ensuring that California Grocers Association members have access to relevant educational training and ensuring that the industry’s future workforce needs are met through public education and postsecondary educational institutions.

The CGA Educational Foundation was created under the direction of the California Grocers Association Board of Directors in 1992 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Its mission is to provide financial assistance to advance the educational goals of CGA member 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
E-mail: [email protected]

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

SACRAMENTO, CA – (April 17, 2012) Grocers from throughout California will gather in Sacramento on April 17, 2012, to meet with their elected officials to discuss key industry issues at the California Grocers Association’s “Grocers Day at the Capitol.”

“This is 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, attendees will also hear 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 will:

• Meet with lawmakers to share concerns on critical legislation affecting the grocery industry.
• Hear executive and legislative leaders discuss topics critical to a company’s bottom line.
• Learn how to effectively meet and interact with elected representatives.

“In an election year, with so much at stake, it’s imperative our members attend in numbers to the most important government relations event CGA holds each year,” Fong said.

To register for the event, contact Kara Bush at (916) 448-3545.

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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
E-mail: [email protected]

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

www.cagrocers.com includes new features, easier navigation.

SACRAMENTO, CA — (April 9, 2012) – The California Grocers Association’s new and improved website is now as fresh as its members produce.

Launched today, CGA’s redesigned website includes exciting new features including dynamic new graphics, new tools to help members more easily engage in grass-roots advocacy, online membership updating, convenient event registration and an improved “members only” section.

“Our goal was to provide a user-friendly website that was easy to navigate,” said CGA President Ron Fong. “I think our new site accomplishes that. CGA wishes to thank Kellogg’s for sponsoring the launching of our new website. Their generous support helped to make this redesign a reality.”

New features include:

Track Important Legislation

Government relations is at the heart of CGA. To more effectively communicate timely information on current bills in the California Legislature, the new website will post weekly up-to-date information on legislation impacting the grocery industry.

Contact Your Elected Officials

CGA has launched “CGA FoodAction,” a new member advocacy platform that allows members to quickly and directly communicate with elected officials.

Update Your Membership Records Online

Now updating your membership records is just a click away. Our new website allows members to securely update their personal membership file.

Read California Grocer Online

CGA’s award-winning magazine – California Grocer – has gone virtual. Now your entire office can access our magazine and read timely articles on the critical issues facing the grocery industry. California Grocer VE is the quickest, easiest way to stay abreast of the issues.

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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
E-mail: [email protected]

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

SACRAMENTO, CA — (April 9, 2012) – The 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.

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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
E-mail: [email protected]

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

A Victory for Fairness in Food Retailing and Inner City Consumers

INGLEWOOD, CA – (February 1, 2012) – California Grocers Association President Ronald K. Fong joined First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama and other local leaders today to celebrate the first tangible examples of progress facilitated by the California FreshWorks Fund, a $264 million public-private partnership loan fund led by The California Endowment.

The event featured fresh and healthy foods that will soon be available at an abandoned Inglewood, CA store site that, with the help of the California FreshWorks Fund, will soon become a Northgate Gonzalez Markets.

The Association is one of 20 companies, associations, government agencies and health groups to participate in the creation and launch of the California FreshWorks Fund last summer. “The California Grocers Association is proud to be a part of this historic undertaking,” said CGA President Ron Fong. “The California FreshWorks Fund represents a tremendous step forward in bringing needed grocery stores to underserved areas throughout California.”

“We are equally proud that one of our valued members, Northgate Gonzalez Markets, is one of its first participants,” Fong added. “Northgate Gonzalez is an excellent example of the type of supermarket that is ready and willing to provide healthy food options in underserved areas.”

Fong also commended the First Lady for her ongoing efforts to improve the eating habits of Americans.

“We commend the First Lady for her unwavering commitment to raising the awareness for greater healthy food access. Her attendance today validates the importance and success of this ambitious undertaking,” Fong said. But, Fong said, the effort to bring grocery stores to underserved areas is far from over.

“We are far from being done,” he said. “We have cleared one major hurdle with the implementation of the FreshWorks fund, but there is still work to do. We must continue to work together in a coordinated effort to resolve the challenges that stand as barriers to bringing healthy, affordable food to underserved areas.”

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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

CGA calls Industry Advisory on regulating alcoholic beverage sales at assisted self-checkout terminals unlawful

SACRAMENTO, CA – (December 28, 2011) – The California Grocers Association today 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.

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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
E-mail: [email protected]

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

Grocery Executive To Serve One-Year Term

SACRAMENTO, CA — (December 2, 2011) – 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.

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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
E-mail: [email protected]

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

SACRAMENTO, CA (November 28, 2011) – Attorneys with Pacific Legal Foundation have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the California Grocers Association to review a City of Los Angeles ordinance that denies new grocery store owners the right to hire their own employees, unless they agree to maintain a unionized workforce.

The petition for certiorari asks the Court to review the city’s Grocery Worker Retention Ordinance, which requires companies that purchase grocery stores of 15,000-square feet or larger to hire employees only from existing staff and retain them for at least 90 days. This restriction does not apply if the new owner consents to a collective bargaining agreement with a union.

The Foundation agreed to petition the Court on CGA’s behalf after the California Supreme Court in June overturned a First District Court of Appeal decision that had ruled against the ordinance. Employers, the State Supreme Court’s majority opinion said, have no right to choose their own workforce, and the ordinance is a routine regulation of the economy.

“While we’re extremely disappointed with the California Supreme Court’s decision, we are encouraged that the Pacific Legal Foundation finds merit in petitioning the highest court in the land,” said Ron Fong, CGA President and CEO. “The challenge is important enough to grocers that CGA believes it needs to exhaust every legal remedy.”

Fong said the ordinance is a major step backwards in a national effort to bring affordable and healthy food to some of the most underserved areas in Los Angeles. “Putting politics before helping inner-city working families is bad public policy,” he said.

The ordinance was passed in 2005 and challenged by CGA in 2006. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judged ruled the ordinance unconstitutional, which was later upheld by the Second District Court of Appeal in 2009. The case then moved to the California Supreme Court where the decision was overturned.

“This law is a brazen scheme to punish non-union employers,” said PLF Principal Attorney Timothy Sandefur. “But federal law prohibits localities from muscling in on the bargaining process between businesses and unions. To be specific, the National Labor Relations Act bars states and local governments from interfering with the bargaining of unions and employers, yet that’s exactly what L.A. has done through this ordinance.”

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 300 grocery supplier companies.