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 commemorates 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.” |
|
What it means to be a PFMA member
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
PFMA serves more than 800 corporate members and more than 4,000 retail food stores. Some of our members have been with us for more than 50 years.
|
When fax machines were high tech:
Staff reflects on past accomplishments
|
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.” Read more! |
Food is family: Nourishing communities & businesses for 70 years
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. Read more!
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. Read more!
PFMA Board of Directors past presidents & 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).
|
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 Rutters 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–present |
|
|
PFMA opened its Harrisburg office in August 1979. PFMA Chair Jay Miller (left) joined President Al Vicks (right). (Back row, from left) Also attending the ribbon cutting were Hank Sitko, director of public and governmental relations, Bill Drayton, PFMA field representative, and Dolf Polsenberg, director of special projects.
|
STAY IN TOUCH
Let us know how we can work for you!
|
|
phone |
address |
1029 Mumma Road
Wormleysburg, PA 17043 |