The following Chair Column appeared in Issue 2 of California Grocer magazine.

When I was elected Chair of the CGA Board, I shared a few priorities and passions that I was eager to work on during my tenure. The year started off strong as I had the opportunity to draw from my background in loss prevention to address the Little Hoover Commission on behalf of CGA regarding retail theft reform, as I discussed in my first Chair column. Now halfway through my term, I feel like I’ve struck gold as CGA sponsors a piece of legislation addressing an area close to my heart: food access.

Let me share with you some staggering figures around food insecurity. As of October 2023, over 3 million households in California – including over 1 million households with children – face food insecurity. Although California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, more than 1 in 5 Californians — about 8.8 million — currently struggle with food insecurity according to the California Association of Food Banks.

As we consider many angles of wellness through the pages of this issue, having access to nutritious and wholesome foods lays the foundation. This year, CGA has partnered with Sen. Susan Rubio to introduce the California Food Desert Elimination Act, SB 1419, which seeks to provide financial assistance to grocery stores operators who wish to establish a store within a delineated food desert or areas at risk of becoming food deserts.

Despite it being a tight fiscal year due to the state’s tremendous budget deficit, as Louie Brown covers in the Capitol Insider column, it gives me hope to see SB 1419 advance through the legislature. At the time of this writing, SB 1419 passed through the Senate and is headed to the next house. It’s encouraging to see our lawmakers show commitment in this area.

Coretta Scott King once said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

Working in the food industry, I, and so many of my peers, feel a personal sense of responsibility to do our part to recover unsaleable goods that can create wholesome meals for those in need within our communities. Through my own company, the Bristol Farms banner, we’re proud to partner with local food banks and organizations including FoodCycle LA, Food Finders, Second Hand Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, and San Diego Food Bank, and others to put to use wholesome goods that would be otherwise wasted.

I’m so proud of the work the Association is doing to help address food insecurity in our communities and make it more feasible for grocery stores to serve food deserts. If you would like to help the effort, urge your legislators to support the Food Desert Elimination Act on CGA’s website.

Tips for Store Leaders by Stan Phelps

Involve current employees in the recruiting process to gain valuable insights and

referrals for candidates who fit the company culture.

Intel’s new hires have dedicated greeters and gifts waiting for them when they arrive on their first days as a part of their hands-on new employee orientation.

Tip: Leverage your team’s network to attract top talent.

Workplace Violence Prevention Resources

In September 2023, the State of California enacted a Workplace Violence Prevention Law (SB 553) which creates onerous requirements for nearly every California employer. By July 1, 2024 employers must establish, implement, and maintain an effective written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan to be enforced by Cal/OSHA. Additionally, employers must train their workforce about the company’s prevention strategies. 

CGA put a toolkit together for members with resources for compliance and implementation. Click the members-only link below to access the toolkit.

Tips for Store Leaders by Stan Phelps

Implement mentorship programs to encourage knowledge sharing and support among employees.

Capital One runs a Buddy Assimilation Program. The program matches veterans with newcomers. “Buddies” show the newbies around, have lunch with them, and act as a resource. After a month of training, new employees work “in the nest” for two weeks fielding incoming calls with plenty of support. Hands go up whenever a trainee has a question, and a roving supervisor runs over to help. Once on their own, employees work within teams. But they’re never far from a helping hand as team leaders and “floor walkers” decked in bright red and yellow vests are always available to answer questions.

Tip: Pair experienced employees with newcomers to facilitate learning and professional development.