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Celebrating our 70th year of successes

12/29/2022

PFMA celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2022, wrapping up another successful year. Here are some of our association highlights:

PFMA assisted in the passage of several legislative victories this year, including:

PFMA supported and helped pass a significant reduction in Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income Tax Rate as part of the 2022 state budget. As a result of the legislation, the state’s corporate tax rate will decrease from 9.99% to 4.99% by 2031.
PFMA assisted in passing a state-level version of the INFORM Act, which takes on organized retail theft by requiring high-volume third-party sellers to disclose certain relevant information to online marketplaces.
The association advocated for and helped pass legislation that authorizes the state Auditor General to audit subcontracts with Pharmacy Benefit Managers.
PFMA helped make permanent COVID-era authority for pharmacists and pharmacy interns to administer the influenza and COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 5 and older.
Philadelphia’s 2022 budget includes reductions in various tax rates long advocated for by PFMA, including the city’s wage tax and business tax.
PFMA supported the bipartisan Food Donation Improvement Act, sponsored by Sen. Pat Toomey and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, that would provide liability protections to organizations donating food directly to people in need rather than through nonprofits.

PFMA impacted enacted legislation that included:

In February, PFMA provided testimony to the House Liquor Control Committee with feedback and recommendations on efforts to improve Pennsylvania’s liquor system.
PFMA submitted remarks to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee for a May hearing on credit card swipe fees.
PFMA submitted formal comments on FDA’s proposal to ban use of menthol in cigarettes and characterizing flavors in cigars.
PFMA supplied testimony to the Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee detailing the industry’s challenges and work to address inflation.

Other association accomplishments this year included:

The association welcomed 36 new members in 2022, representing a range of goods and services, including grocery, mini marts, bakers, packaging, dog food, signage, smoked meats and more.
To date, PFMA has 48 Corporate Leadership Sponsors committed for 2023. This program helps the association advocate for legislation that benefits our members’ business and lobby against measures that might harm them.
This year, the PFMA Shelf Confidence podcast wrapped up Seasons 2 and 3, with 935 downloads over 20 episodes. The two episodes with the highest downloads this year included “NCD talks c-store innovations inspired by Millennials and Gen Z” (142) and “Lessons for a post-pandemic world from Boyer’s Food Markets” (133).
The PFMA social media channels made new connections and increased engagement again this year. LinkedIn remains the association’s strongest social platform. In 2022, the PFMA LinkedIn page gained 1,677 connections, an 85% increase over 12 months. The LinkedIn page had more than 3,400 pageviews—up 36% from 2021. The account gained over 245K organic impressions—more than double that from 2021.
October 29 marked PFMA’s 70th anniversary. Leading up to the anniversary, the association shared accomplishments, milestones, statistics, interviews and photos from the past seven decades that have contributed to its success today.
In conjunction with the 70th anniversary, PFMA worked with GK Visual to produce several member videos. The two main videos promoted association membership and shared its rich history. Shorter social media videos featured members saying why association membership is important to them.
Now in its 26th year, the Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship awarded $67,500 to 27 college students. Every student earned a $2,500 scholarship for the 2022-23 academic year, an overall increase of $22,500 from 2021. Scholarship funds come from PFMA’s Education Trust and sponsoring PFMA members The GIANT Company, Karns Foods, Rutter’s, Sheetz and Wawa.
In October, PFMA and the Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center partnered for a workshop on identifying and anonymously reporting suspicious activity and potential threats.
During the PFMA Annual Conference in June, the association presented its Trailblazer Award to Lisa Dell’Alba, president and CEO of Square One Markets, Inc., and chair of the PFMA Board of Directors.
Earlier in the year, PFMA chose Sadie Fedor, a Bethel Park senior, to receive a $1,000 DECA Scholarship. PFMA sponsors a DECA scholarship each year.
Several new members joined the PFMA Board of Directors this year, including Mike Gould, president of Core-Mark International’s Pennsylvania Division; Rena Shiles, vice president of operations at Albertsons Companies; Scott Quigg, president and CEO of Pump N Pantry, Inc.; and Chris Reed, general counsel for The Rutter’s Companies
During PFMA’s Board of Directors meeting at the Annual Conference in June, new leadership included Lisa Dell’Alba, president and CEO of Square One Markets, Inc., as chair; Justin Evans, vice president of sustainability and government relations for Giant Eagle, Inc., as vice chair; Andrea Karns, vice president of marketing and sales at Karns Foods, as treasurer; and Mike Mammone, senior director of customer experience, Robesonia division, C&S Wholesale Grocers, as secretary.
PFMA continues to work with United to Safeguard America from Illegal Trade. In December, Alex Baloga, PFMA president and CEO, served as a panelist for the roundtable discussion, “Confronting the Growing Problem of Organized Retail Crime.”
PFMA has joined other merchant trade associations and companies urging Congress to create more competition in the credit card market. Rising swipe fees from Visa and Mastercard are contributing to increasing prices at retailers across the country.
Alex Baloga, president and CEO, and Michael Howells, Director of Research and Association Services, joined the newly formed Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Advisory Group, providing support for healthier pregnancies and postpartum care.
This fall, the association launched a PFMA Membership 101 webinar. On a quarterly basis, new members will be invited to join staff for an overview of association benefits and services.

PFMA opens applications for 2023 Ridge Scholarship

12/7/2022

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association is now accepting applications for the 2023 Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship. Eligible students can apply for a one-year, $2,500 scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The scholarship amount increased last year by $500 each. In 2022, 27 students earned a total of $67,500 toward their educations.

“This is one of the highlights of our work at PFMA every year,” said Alex Baloga, PFMA president and CEO. “The scholarship gives us an opportunity to recognize students for their hard work and dedication in attaining a college degree. The generosity of our members allows us to support a growing number of students by easing the financial burden of pursuing higher education. Special thanks to The GIANT Company, Karns Quality Foods, Rutter’s, Sheetz and Wawa for their contributions.”

Current employees, their children and the children of company owners who are PFMA members can apply for the scholarship at PFMA.org/scholarships. All scholarship applications must be made online. Applications are due no later than March 1, 2023.

A panel of judges evaluates applications based on academic record, school and community involvement, a personal essay and recommendations from school and work.

Since its start in 1995, nearly 630 students have received the Ridge Scholarships, totaling about $1.2 million.

Named for the parents of former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, the Ridge Scholarship honors Thomas R. Ridge, who was a member of the food industry for 25 years, and his wife Laura, who was a great advocate of education for Tom Ridge, his brother David and sister Vikki.

Celebrating our 70th year of successes

PFMA opens applications for 2023 Ridge Scholarship

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