ALABAMA GROCERS EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation recognizes and aids deserving students who are related to Alabama’s food industry by virtue of their parents’ employment or their own part-time employment by firms, which are members of the Alabama Grocers Association. The program demonstrates the Association’s interest in the growth and development of the leaders of tomorrow by providing financial assistance to deserving students. It relieves the parents of scholarship recipients of some college expenses and directly aids the colleges attended by the recipients of AGA Scholarships.
The scholarship cycle begins in November of each year, with applications and transcripts due to the Association Office by February 15th. Winners are contacted in April/May and checks are mailed in two installments. Half in July and the other half in November. Over $1.4 million has been awarded to scholarship recipients since the founding of the AGEF in 1993.
ALABAMA GROCERS EDUCATION FOUNDATION TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
Education is the key to job advancement and a more fulfilling career. The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their goals by providing the opportunity to enhance job skills and education by assisting with the cost of tuition. Our goal is to help people employed in the industry gain the knowledge, skills and abilities to improve their performance and increase their chances for advancement within the industry.
Employees taking courses that enhance their job knowledge and/or courses that support their career aspirations in the grocery or grocery-related manufacturing industries are eligible to receive up to $200 of tuition reimbursement per course. Each employee may receive up to $1,000 annually. Classes may be taken through seminars, workshops, community colleges, accredited colleges and universities, or online programs.
ASSOCIATION 401K PLAN
AGA has partnered with Merrill Lynch and Transamerica, which will now be servicing the Multi Employer Plan (MEP) for the Association. This partnership will include benefits such as:
- No Annual Audit
- Cost Savings on Investments
- No Individual Form 5500 Reporting
- Minimal Plan Maintenance
- Flexible Plan Features, including Safe Harbor, Roth, and Profit Sharing
- Customizable 401(k) Plan Design Options Involving Eligibility, Matches, Vesting Schedules and More
ASSOCIATION HEALTH CARE PLAN
AGA has our own Health Care Insurance Plan called the AGA Health and Welfare Trust. Combining primary and secondary insurance creates maximum savings for the plan’s participants. Coverages include: Two BCBS Medical Options; Two Delta Dental Options; and VSP Vision Option. Visit www.agabenefits.com for more information.
GENERAL INSURANCE
- Worker’s Compensation
- 24 Hour Employee Coverage
- IRA’s
- Deferred Compensation
- Pension Plans
- Key Man Insurance
- Business Agenda
- Salary Continuation
- Commercial Insurance
- General Liability
- Business Auto
- Umbrella
RESPONSIBLE VENDOR TRAINING
The Association has a Responsible Vendor Trainer on staff. Courses are certified by the Alabama Beverage Control Board. For more details, please call Ellie Taylor at the Association Office 205.823.5498.
COUPON PROGRAM
The Alabama Grocers Association has partnered with American Coupon Services to provide a coupon service to AGA Members. Retailers on our program will receive face value plus 4.5 cents per coupon. ACS accepts digital, paper and internet coupons and they have an online portal where you can check your shipment information, see when your next check will be mailed, and they can notify you if you have any chargebacks. For more information, email Ellie Taylor at etaylor@alabamagrocers.org.
FOOD SAFETY MANAGER CERTIFICATION
Currently stores are required to have one person in the store with a Food Safety Manager Certification. The new food code requires that a certified food manager be present during all hours of operation. This is effective January 2020. If a person with this certification is not in the establishment, they will lose 5 points on their inspection report and have 120 days to come into compliance. There is also a 1-year grace period for class failure. AGA has been working with the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals to make sure our retailers can be in compliance. The Retail Grocery Manager Certification is created by industry subject matter experts with questions and scenarios directly applicable to the grocery environment. The exam is accredited by ANSI and accepted in the same jurisdictions as the standard food manager exam. The process will remain easy.
- Purchase the book online from: http://shopping.nrfsp.com/food-safety-management-principles-for-managers-english for $23.95.
- Have your employee study the book.
- To set up testing you will need to call the Association office at 205.823.5498. You must set up your testing at least 3 weeks in advance. Cost for the testing is $50 per person.
BUY ALABAMA’S BEST – www.buyalabamasbest.org
Mission Statement: Our goal is to identify and increase awareness of Alabama food products and increase sales of those products, as well as, raise money for designated charities through partnering with the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries and the Alabama Grocers Association. Alabama food products have a $2 billion economic impact and along with the food service industries employ 1 out of every 4 Alabamians. The Buy Alabama’s Best Program partners with local Alabama Charities and to date has donated over $850,000 to fight hunger and childhood cancer.
EAT AT HOME ALABAMA – www.eatathomealabama.com
The Eat At Home Alabama website was created to provide a resource to consumers on how to save money, eat healthier, safely prepare and store foods, discover the joys and benefits of eating at home, and promote the grocery industry in the state of Alabama. Tips include recipes, how to effectively use coupons, how to prepare and store foods and other food safety tips. There is a featured sponsor each month.
COLUMBIA SOUTHERN LEARNING PARTNER
Columbia Southern University is pleased to offer members & member employees of the Alabama Grocers Association a tuition benefit for their employees and dependents. This partnership provides a reduced tuition, plus many additional benefits. For your convenience, all programs are available in an online format.
Call the Association Office at 205.823.5498 for more information.