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Our History

Serving and Supporting the Industry

Since its establishment in 1952 at the Lawrence Hotel in Erie, Pa., the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association has pioneered innovative ways to serve and support the commonwealth’s food and beverage industries. On Oct. 29, 2022, PFMA commemorated its 70th anniversary.

"It's incredible to reflect on the work that PFMA has accomplished for its members over the past 70 years. The support of our broad and longstanding membership has allowed us to advance the interests of grocery stores, convenience stores, wholesalers, consumer packaged goods companies, lottery and gaming organizations and more — ultimately benefiting Pennsylvanian businesses and consumers."
Alex Baloga
Alex Baloga
PFMA President and CEO

PFMA Milestones

1952
Established the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association
1956
Launched Pennsylvania Coupon Redemption Services, the largest retail coupon clearinghouse owned and operated by a retail food association
1960
Hosted its first convention in Pittsburgh, which grew to include a trade show, educational programs, networking opportunities and Pennsylvania’s Best Bagger contest
1976
Formed FoodPAC of Pennsylvania, its first political action committee aimed at raising funds to elect qualified candidates to state office
1979
Opened a branch office in Harrisburg to increase its presence in the state capitol
1986
Merged with the Pennsylvania Grocers Association and established Merchants Express Money Orders (MEMO), which grew into one of the nation’s largest money order companies
1988
Moved association offices to Wormleysburg, just minutes from Harrisburg
1991
Created the Scanning Certification Program, a voluntary program for retailers that provides shoppers with retail pricing information and price accuracy
1996
Funded the Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship in partnership with Pittsburgh Association of Manufacturers Representatives and the Northwestern Pennsylvania Food Council
2008
Created Spectrum magazine, providing association and member news
2016
Merged with the Pennsylvania Distributors Association
2021
Established Shelf Confidence, an association podcast focused on trends and innovations in the food and beverage industries

Membership Retention

PFMA serves more than 600 corporate members and more than 3,000 retail food stores. Some of our members have been with us for more than 50 years.

Stories From the Past

When Fax Machines Were High Tech: Staff reflects on past accomplishments

A two-story white building with windows reaching from the ground to the roof. A parking lot with retro cars.

It’s been said that change is the only constant in life. The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association certainly has navigated many industry and policy changes over its 70-year history. Yet it also boasts years of steady leadership, growth and service.

“In recent years, the PFMA family has grown to include many representatives of the candy, tobacco and beverage industries; gaming companies; and specialty food distributors,” said Dave McCorkle, past PFMA president. “The growth has made PFMA’s message to policy makers even stronger.”

Food is Family: Nourishing communities and business for 70 years

From left, Christy Spoa, Al Vicks and Dave McCorkle.

Famed American chef, author and TV personality James Beard once said, “Food is our common ground, a universal experience.”

This commonality in the human experience makes issues surrounding food particularly significant. For 70 years, PFMA has dedicated its work to improving access to healthy foods, better jobs and more opportunities in the food and beverage retail industry.

“Our business really is food. It’s bringing people together, it’s bringing issues to the forefront, it’s improving the quality and the climate of Pennsylvania business for the food industry,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association.

PFMA Board of Directors Past Presidents and Chairs

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association began during a charter presentation on October 29, 1952, in Erie. (From left) E.W. Haibach; Al Vicks; Vince L. Browner, president of the National Association of Retail Grocers; and Paul Reitz, first PFMA chair (then known as president).
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association began during a charter presentation on October 29, 1952, in Erie. From left, E.W. Haibach; Al Vicks; Vince L. Browner, president of the National Association of Retail Grocers; and Paul Reitz, first PFMA chair (then known as president).
Former PFMA Presidents Al Vicks, left, and Dave McCorkle.
Al Vicks, left, retired as PFMA's president in 1987, welcoming David McCorkle as the newly appointed association president and CEO.

Paul G. Reitz

Riverside Markets

1952-1955

Stanley Genetti

Genetti’s Markets

1955-1958

Barney Moldovan

A&M Supermarket

1958-1961

Jerry Fahringer

Jerry’s Market

1961-1963

Al Kane

Kane’s Market

1963-1965

Edwin Armitage

Armitage Market

1965-1967

David Molish

Shopping Cart Thriftway Supermarkets

1967-1970

Carl Gregory

Tops All Markets Inc.

1970-1972

John Krystyniak

Red & White SuperMarket

1972-1974

Paul Wild

Lawndale Markets Inc.

1974-1976

Eugene Petrucci

Petrucci’s Markets

1976-1979

Jay Miller

Jay’s Markets

1979-1981

Earl Redner

Redner’s Tiger Markets Inc.

1981-1983

Charles Genuardi

Genuardi’s Supermarkets Inc.

1983-1985

John Gould

Gould’s IGA Market

1985-1987

Arnold Young

Welsh Road Shop N Bag

1987-1989

Joe Heisler

Foodland

1989-1991

Vince Anderson

Wawa Inc.

1991-1993

Christy Spoa

Ellwood City Save-A-Lot

1993-1995

Stewart Hartman

Rutter’s Farm Stores

1995-1997

Bill Bracey

Bill’s ShurSave Markets

1997-1999

Murray Battleman

Richboro Shop N Bag

1999-2001

Gary Kipp

Giant Eagle #640

2001

Jack Clemens

Clemens Family Markets

2001-2003

Walter Rubel

Acme Markets Inc.

2003-2005

Chris Michael

Associated Wholesalers Inc.

2005-2007

Scott Hartman

Rutter’s Farm Stores

2007-2009

Dan McNabb

Lebanon Shops Foodland

2009-2011

Louie Sheetz

Sheetz Inc.

2011-2013

Richard McMenamin

McMenamin Family ShopRite

2013-2015

Paul Rankin

Country Fair Inc.

2015-2017

Jeff Brown

Brown’s ShopRites

2017-2020

Tom Cormier

The GIANT Company

2020-2022

Lisa Dell’Alba

Square One Markets Inc.

2022-2024

Andrea Karns

Karns Foods

2024-Present

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