Blog

Posted on

Alabama Grocers Association Hosts 32nd Annual Convention

Alabama Grocers Association Hosts 32nd Annual Convention

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Alabama Grocers Association recently held their 32nd Annual Convention at the Sandestin Beach Resort in Destin, Florida. The Association brought members from all aspects of the grocery industry together to promote the growth and success of the food industry throughout the State of Alabama.

 

The Monday Business Forum included Kevin Paul Scott’s seminar, “Looking at Employees Through a New Lens”; National Computer Forensics Institute’s seminar on Cyber Security; Auburn University’s Economic Impact Study Results; and Matt Cate’s seminar, “Rising Healthcare Costs and How to Combat It”.

A silent auction and raffle were held Monday night, which raised more than $20,000 for the Alabama Grocers Education Foundation. This year the Alabama Grocers Education Foundation awarded 39 scholarships valued at more than $38,750 and to date has awarded more than $1.4 million in total scholarships.

The Tuesday Business Forum included an “Overview and Crypto-Currency” seminar from the National Computer Forensics Institute; Dr. Glenn Richey’s “Logistics and the Supply Chain, Where Do We Go from Here?” seminar; and concluded with “Six Decades of Grocery Knowledge” seminar by Jesse Lewis.

Tuesday afternoon included an exhibit hall with more than 50 booths with vendors from all aspects of the grocery industry. On Tuesday night, the Chairman’s Banquet was held with renowned comedian Jimmy Travis as the celebrity entertainment. New Officers and Directors were installed: Jack Carlile of UNFI, VP Convention; Keith Knight of Associated Wholesale Grocers, District 1 Director; Cliff Thomas of Campbell’s Snacks, District 1 Director; Chris Woods of Retail Data Systems, District 1 Director; Manny Shoemaker of Acosta Sales, District 2 Director; Stan Alexander of Associated Grocers of the South, District 3 Director; Mike Hanson of Milo’s Tea, District 3 Director; Greg Rains of Alabama Crown, District 4 Director; David Brownlow of Blue Bell Creameries, District 5 Director.

The awards given on Tuesday night included the National Grocers Association Spirit of America Award given to Wade Payne, Food Giant, Inc. Established in 1982, the NGA Spirit of America Award honors key industry and community leaders in the areas of community service and government relations on behalf of the independent supermarket industry. NGA has proudly presented this award to distinguished individuals who serve the grocery industry and the public interest.

The Spirit of Alabama Award was presented to Bob Crawford, United-Johnson Brothers, for a lifetime of work in the grocery industry, his support of the Alabama Grocers Association and leadership as an advocate for the food industry in the state of Alabama. This award recognizes his active involvement in the Alabama Grocers Association Board of Directors since 2012, his unwavering dedication to AGA and his significant contributions in the legislative arena.

“The AGA Annual Conference brings the best of the grocery industry together each year. Attendees learn important industry topics, visit with state officials, and network to help their businesses operate more efficiently and learn from their counterparts in the grocery community,” said Ellie Taylor, President/CEO, Alabama Grocers Association. “The AGA is truly the voice of the grocery industry in Alabama.”

About the Alabama Grocers Association: The Alabama Grocers Association is a state trade association representing the grocery retail industry since 1990. With more than 135 retail members operating over 850 stores statewide, as well as over 225 manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers and other members, the AGA is the voice of the industry in the state of Alabama. The food retail industry in Alabama provides over half a million jobs with over $2.5 billion in annual wages paid. Grocers pay over $1.18 billion in state taxes and have a total economic impact on the state’s economy of over $12.1 billion. For more information, go to www.alabamagrocers.org.

###

Posted on

Auburn Economic Impact Study

Auburn Economic Impact Study

Matthew Robichaux, Katie Thompson-Taylor & William Wells present their findings on the grocery industry’s economic impact in Alabama. This study analyzes economic data and shows how the grocery industry positively impacts community, health and family in the State of Alabama.

Posted on

AGEF Spring Golf Outing

The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation held its Annual Spring Golf Outing on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at Inverness Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama. This tournament raised funds for the Alabama Grocers Education Foundation, to provide scholarships to employees and children of employees of Alabama Grocers Association companies. To date AGEF has awarded over 1.3 million dollars because of the tremendous support of our members at golf tournaments such as this one.  The winners of the golf tournament were as follows:

The winners of the golf tournament were as follows:  First Place Team: Greg Rains, Rod Tulloss and Simon Lauderdale of Alabama Crown Distributing.  

Second Place Team: Eddie Parnell and Greg Clements with Reynolds American and Joe Naro with The Hershey Company.

Third Place Team: Don Richardson with Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED; Jim Coalson with Tom Williams Piggly Wiggly; and Hal Keeton and Casey Keeton with Big Star

Closest to the Pin: Manny Shoemaker with Acosta. Longest Drive: Zach Chambliss with the Chambliss and Chastain Group.

The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation Golf Outings would not be as successful without the many companies that sponsored this event and contributed their goods. The Presenting Sponsor was UNFI. The Breakfast Sponsor for this event was BTC Wholesale Distributors and the lunch sponsor was Byars | Wright Insurance. Additional sponsors and contributors of the AGEF 2022 Spring Tournament included  5 Hour Energy; A&R Super Markets; Alabama Crown Distributing; Alabama Power Company; Amber Falls Winery & Cellars; Associated Grocers of the South; Autry Greer & Son’s; Bimbo Bakeries; Blue Bell Ice Cream; Buffalo Rock / Pepsi; Bunzl Distribution; Campbell Snacks; Chambliss & Chastain Group; Cobbs Allen; Coca-Cola Bottling Co. UNITED; D&T Sales and Marketing; Don Francisco’s Coffee; EdLinco; Federated Insurance; Gail’s Biscuits; JM Smucker’s; Kelley Foods a Ben E. Keith Co.; Keurig Dr. Pepper; Milo’s Tea; Mitchell Grocery Corp.; MolsonCoors; Mrs. Stratton’s Salads; New Orleans Roast Coffee; Country Bob’s / Acosta; Perfect Hydration; PictSweet Farms; Piggly Wiggly #130 & #134; Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company; Post Consumer Brands; Priester’s Pecans; Publix Super Markets, Inc.; Red Diamond Coffee & Tea; Reynolds American; Sister Schubert Rolls; Stratus Group; The Hershey Company; Truno, Retail Technology; UNFI; United Johnson Brothers; and UTZ Snacks/Golden Flake

Please go ahead and mark your calendars for our 2022 upcoming events: AGA Annual Convention, July 24 – 27 at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in Destin, Florida; AGEF Fall Clay Shoot, October 13, 2022 at Selwood Farms in Alpine, Alabama; and the Alabama’s Food Industry Finest Luncheon, October 27, 2022 at The Club in Birmingham, Alabama.