What a year! Even as PFMA and our members navigated changing pandemic regulations, we met demand, devised
solutions, inspired change and got it done.
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With that in mind, we are sharing some of our PFMA successes from 2021:

1. Just as mask mandates eased across the state, PFMA returned to an in-person 2021 Annual Conference in Gettysburg, Pa. The association successfully hosted members, sponsors, vendors and presenters for two days of networking and educational sessions.
2. PFMA worked to ensure that grocery workers were part of the first few waves of Pennsylvania residents eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. These frontline workers faithfully provided basic needs to their communities throughout the pandemic.
3. In 2021, PFMA welcomed 17 new members to the association, representing food retail, energy services, facility solutions, gaming, beverage, convenience stores and more.
4. In July, PFMA launched Shelf Confidence, its first podcast, which focuses on trends and innovations in the food and beverage industries. Over the 10-episode season, PFMA members, sponsors and partners covered sustainability, better-for-you snacking, food waste, vaccination and more.
5. PFMA celebrated 25 years of awarding the Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship to PFMA members, their employees and their children. Since its inception in 1996, the scholarship has contributed nearly $1.2 million to 600 students. 
6. In 2021, the Ridge Scholarship board increased the amount of each scholarship by $500, providing each recipient with $2,500 for the 2022-23 academic year. 
7. The annual DECA Scholarship sponsored by the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association awarded $1,000 to Jessica Zajac, a senior at State College Area High School who has been involved in DECA for the past four years.
8. During the 2021 Annual Conference, PFMA presented its inaugural Food Industry Trailblazer Award to Nicholas Bertram, president of The GIANT Company. Well before the pandemic hit, Bertram consistently showed vision, innovation, passion and leadership.
9. In January, PFMA partnered with the Pennsylvania Farm Show to develop a virtual Butter Up! contest. The amateur butter sculpture contest invited Pennsylvania residents to submit a miniature version of the beloved PA Farm Show butter sculpture. The contest increased engagement for the virtual 2021 PA Farm Show and highlighted the work of the Pennsylvania dairy industry. Thanks to its success, a second contest launched in December ahead of the 2022 PA Farm Show.
10. PFMA was pleased to welcome Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity as the keynote speaker at its 2021 Fall Legislative Conference in Hershey, Pa. Treasurer Garrity delivered a memorable keynote speech, sharing her remarkable record of service with the U.S. Army, experience as a top businesswoman and her goals to remain transparent in her role as treasurer as she works to provide new financial opportunities for Pennsylvanians. 
11. PFMA ran successful grassroots advocacy to hold back tobacco and other tax increases in the Build Back Better Act.
12. In March, PFMA unveiled a redesigned website and member portal that featured a clean, modern look and upgraded structure. The site features the latest legislative updates, member news, association priorities and membership benefits. Members can access exclusive content in the portal. 
13. PFMA helped to secure passage of the federal infrastructure bill, which secured associated long-term benefits for Pennsylvanians.
14. In the fall, PFMA worked with a coalition of trade associations to shepherd the passage of ready-to-drink beverage (RTDs) legislation in the state Senate.
15. PFMA sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recommending making permanent the WIC physical presence waivers put in place due to COVID-19, and received a positive response from the secretary.
16. PFMA worked to secure unemployment compensation law reforms.
17. PFMA made progress on legislation that will allow the checkout of beer and wine at additional registers in food retail locations.
18. Four new members joined the PFMA Board of Directors in 2021: Mike Mammone, Senior Director of Customer Experience for the Robesonia division of C&S Wholesale Grocers; Bill Lipsky, Vice President of Merchandising with Shop n Save Pittsburgh for UNFI; Chuck Tullis, Senior Vice President at Utz Brands, Inc.; and Charles Irons, Market Director for McLane Company, Inc.
19. To recognize the dedication of grocery workers nationwide throughout the pandemic and beyond, PFMA worked with the Governor’s Office to acknowledge and thank supermarket employees during Supermarket Employee Day on Feb. 22.
20. PFMA joined a national coalition with law enforcement and other statewide leaders to tackle illicit economies and illegal trade. 

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association welcomes Charles Irons, Market Director for McLane Company, Inc., to its Board of Directors. 
 
Irons spent the first part of his career working as a division manager in North Alabama for U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company. He managed 2,400 accounts and 10 sales representatives. In this role, he oversaw sales responsibilities for 15 distributor accounts and 24 convenience store accounts. He developed marketing plans for six specific geographical assignments during his tenure.
 
In 2009, Irons started his career with McLane Company as Market Director. He has led management responsibilities for Circle K, Thorntons, TravelCenters of America, Speedway, EG America and QuickChek, along with several regional accounts. Currently, he is responsible for teammates in the Northeast portion of the United States, which encompasses 13 states. 
 
Irons was a mentor during the first McLane Sales Mentoring Program and led new sales hire training nationally.
 
“We are excited to welcome Charles and the experience he brings to the PFMA Board of Directors,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “McLane is a longtime supporter of the association, and we value having their voice on the board.”
 
Irons graduated from the University of North Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management. He is a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.
 
He served as president of the Kentucky Wholesale and Distributor Association, executive board member of the Kentucky Grocers and Convenience Store Association, and president of Austin Touchdown Club and Decatur Youth Soccer.

​Grab your butter knives and roll up your sleeves! The Butter Up! Contest is back ahead of the 2022 Pennsylvania Farm Show.
 
The PA Farm Show and Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) have again partnered for this amateur butter sculpting contest. Entries are being accepted now through noon on Friday, Dec. 17. 
 
“Entries from the first contest blew us away! Excitement was high, and it showed through the creativity and skills of all who participated,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “We are happy to bring back the contest and support our friends at the Farm Show and in the dairy industry. Special thanks to our PFMA members for donating prizes.”
 
Inspired by the PA Farm Show’s infamous 1,000-pound butter sculpture tradition, this mini virtual contest encourages Pennsylvanians to churn up Farm Show-themed designs at home. The friendly competition highlights the hard work and dedication of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.  
 
Any Pennsylvanian can create butter sculptures at home and submit entries to be judged on the PA Farm Show Facebook page. Each sculpture can use up to 5 pounds of butter, plus wire and a base for support. Entries are judged in six age categories: 5 and under, elementary, middle school, high school, adult and senior. 
 
Get the complete rules, regulations and details on how to enter.
 
A winner and runner up will be named in each category. PFMA members The GIANT Company, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Wegmans, Square One Markets and Giant Eagle/GetGo have donated $50 and $25 gift cards for winners and runners up in each age group.
 
“Every year, millions tune in to see the unveiling of a 1,000-pound sculpture to kick off our annual Pennsylvania Farm Show,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Butter sculptures shine a spotlight on the goodness of Pennsylvania dairy and the hardworking people who keep nutritious products on our tables year-round. Now everyone can get into the act and show off their creativity with one of Pennsylvania’s favorite products.”
 
The Butter Up! contest first started in January 2021 to create engaging online activities during the virtual PA Farm Show. More than 130 people entered and countless PA Farm Show Facebook fans voted. Entries ranged from farm animals to barn scenes to apple pie. 
 
The winner, Garrett McCall, submitted a detailed sculpture of The Good Shepherd. In September, he was invited to create a 20-pound butter sculpture depicting the 2022 PA Farm Show theme Harvesting More.
 
Good luck to this year’s participants!