PFMA’s ‘Shelf Confidence’ Podcast Returns for Season 8
New season premieres Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 9 AM
What’s Coming in for Season 8?
Watch the Shelf Confidence | Season 8 promotional trailer
Camp Hill, PA – The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) is proud to announce the launch of Season 8 of its podcast, Shelf Confidence, premiering Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 9 AM. This new season features a wide range of expert conversations exploring the latest in workforce development, digital transformation, wholesale, lottery, and Pennsylvania’s iconic brewing culture.
Each Thursday this Summer, industry leaders join PFMA for a discussion on the forces shaping the food and beverage sector. With topics ranging from cybersecurity to retail innovation, Season 8 delivers insights for businesses across the supply chain. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major streaming platforms. Full video episodes will be posted weekly on PFMA’s social media channels.
- August 7: Workforce Development & Education Partnerships
Guests from Central Penn College and GIANT Company talk about bridging the talent gap with hands-on experience and inclusive hiring practices.
- August 14: Lottery Technology & Innovation
LottoShield CEO Reza Mahmoodi shares how startups are improving lottery transparency, security, and retail integration.
- August 21: Cybersecurity & Retail Resilience
CBIZ’s John Rostern and Kevin Bock break down the top cyber risks for retailers and how to stay protected.
- August 28: Mergers, Acquisitions & Digital Strategy
Bakertilly’s advisory team, Dave DuVarney, Michael Milani, and Jeffrey Vrabel, discuss the M&A landscape and digital transformation in the industry.
- September 4: Inside the PA Lottery
Drew Svitko and Eric Grubbs of the Pennsylvania Lottery give an inside look at retail partnerships, game innovation, and sales strategy.
- September 11: Wholesale Wisdom
Mike Gould of Core-Mark (Scranton OpCo) explores supply chain shifts, independent operator support, and where wholesale is headed.
- September 18: Craft & Legacy: Pennsylvania Brewing
William Brock, President & CEO of Straub Brewery, joins us for a conversation about the legacy, craft, and future of Pennsylvania beer.
- September 25: Retail Training & Workforce Development
Steve Seymor, Director of Personnel, and Paul Rankin, VP of Retail Marketing at Country Fair, join Jeff Kahler, CEO & President of Ready Training Online, to talk about how leadership, frontline training, and digital tools are shaping the future of retail work.
A Platform for Industry Insights
With a growing audience across platforms, Shelf Confidence continues to connect PFMA members and partners through accessible, high-impact storytelling.
“Season 8 showcases the depth and diversity of Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry. From cybersecurity to brewing, each episode brings interesting conversations,” said Alex Baloga, PFMA President & CEO. “It’s a chance for our members to hear directly from the people moving the industry forward.”
Watch the full episodes on PFMA’s LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, BussSprout, and YouTube, and subscribe to the audio version on your favorite podcast app. Join us for the premiere on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 9 AM, and catch new episodes each Thursday through the end of September.
About PFMA
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, a statewide trade association, advocates the views of more than 600 convenience stores, supermarkets, independent grocers, wholesalers and consumer product vendors. PFMA members operate more than 3,000 stores and employ more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians. For more information on PFMA, visit pfma.org.