Magazine FEBRUARY 2009 for the INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY™

A member publication of

Lean, Mean & Green ● p. 10 i to i with Tom Zaucha ● p. 20 magazine FEBRUARY 2009 FOR THE INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY™

The Road Ahead What’s over the Horizon as the Food Industry Gears up to Meet the Challenges and Opportunities of the Future

Also Inside! Complete 2009 N.G.A. Convention Buyer’s Guide healthy greens FOR THE INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS The Long Road Ahead 6 Food on the Floor 24 Change in political leadership. Change in eco- Don’t miss your opportunity to sample some nomic environment. What does the future of the best fresh and prepared food the inde- hold? Executive Vice President and General pendent community has to offer. Counsel Tom Wenning looks at top issues. Supermarket Synergy Showcase 26 Shining Light on Energy 10 Your directory of all the vendors participating The independent community is taking a lead- in this year’s Supermarket Synergy Showcase, ership role on lighting and other energy con- including complete contact information and servation. company descriptions, begins here. Defi ning Healthcare 14 Creative Choice Awards 40 Healthcare is everywhere these days, with a Learn the art of effective retail advertising and lot of defi nitions that don’t really describe the merchandising, as we examine what works problem, or the solutions. Executive Vice Pres- and doesn’t through the experience of this i magazine for the ident Frank DiPasquale examines the issue. year’s Creative Choice Award fi nalists. independent community A Member Publication of the i to i with Tom Zaucha 20 New Product Showcase 44 National Grocers Association. After more than a quarter century with the The annual Supermarket Synergy Showcase Vol.1 No.1 February 2009 N.G.A., Tom Zaucha has witnessed a world of offers a central location to see what’s new and © National Grocers Asso- change in the industry...and the need for the hot for the coming year. Here’s a comprehen- ciation, 2009. All rights industry’s association to change in response. sive list to serve as your fl oor guide. reserved.Published by Food- An i to i interview. Chain Communications, LLC Farmer Goes to Market 50 233 SW Greenwich Dr. (PMB An N.G.A. exclusive! We bring in a group of real, working farmers so you can ask uncen- #164) sored questions about what’s on your mind Lee’s Summit, MO about food production. 64082-4426. To reserve advertising space, contact Kevin Murphy, at (816) 987-2130, kmurphy@ foodchaincommunications.com. For questions regarding the editorial portion, contact Mike Smith, at (913) 441-3970, msmith@ foodchaincommunications.com.

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 3 WELCOME Innovation, Information, Motivation & Enjoyment

Michael L. Jackson, Chairman of the Board, N.G.A.; President and COO, SUPERVALU INC.

Greetings and welcome to the Tom Brokaw about what we can expect 2009 National Grocers Association Con- from one of the most important elections vention and Supermarket Synergy Show- in U.S. history. case (S3)! Over the years, N.G.A. has earned the reputation of delivering a pro- A powerful lineup of educational and gram focused on signifi cant topics affect- informational sessions continues its tra- ing our industry and nation. N.G.A. dition as the best in the industry. These continues to address the timely operational workshops will feature topics that relate issues and trends affecting today’s commu- to solutions demonstrated on the con- nity-focused retailers and wholesalers. cept show fl oor to ensure you and your team will be guaranteed a total conven- This year’s theme is “Changing Times: A tion experience that is innovative and Blueprint for Success.” With the elections informational as well as motivational and now behind us, our legislative and regu- enjoyable. This year’s S3 is our most latory agenda will be set and controlled interactive concept show fl oor to date — by the Democratic leadership. The new providing in-depth demonstrations, edu- ‘The convention will offer White House administration is inheriting cation and solution-oriented information a business learning a daunting set of domestic and global on supplier related products and services. challenges. With the recent fl uctuation The concept show fl oor provides retailers experience that allows you in global food and fuel prices, a shaken and wholesalers the newest technology, and your staff to focus on economy and fi nancial markets, unprec- products, tools and resources to develop edented safety and security challenges, sales opportunities in areas such as fresh how your company should rising healthcare costs, immigration issues and prepared foods, center store catego- respond to industry and and investing in energy management solu- ries and fi nancial/operational services. tions for the environment and consumers’ marketplace trends and futures, we are all under enormous pres- Overall, N.G.A. has put together one of sure. Change is not only worldwide, but the most comprehensive and timely pro- issues’ there are changes throughout the food grams ever developed for a national con- industry, corporations and associations, vention for community focused retailers and - most importantly - today’s consum- and wholesalers. The convention will ers. “Political, Economic and Leadership offer a business learning experience that Changes in America” is the focus of our allows you and your staff to focus on how opening keynote session and will be led your company should respond to indus- by Tom Brokaw, former anchor and man- try and marketplace trends and issues aging editor of “NBC Nightly News with that will translate into greater success and Tom Brokaw”. In keeping with tradition, growth. From competing with the super- N.G.A. President and CEO Tom Zaucha centers and other emerging formats, to will engage in a spirited discussion with taking advantage of the latest technology, the convention program focuses squarely on how your company can better control Look for these banners throughout this 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special costs and drive more sales. of i magazine for the independent community. They’ll alert you to convergence seminars and other highlights available at this year’s convention which add value to the information you’re reading.

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For more information, tips, and recipes, visit spicesforhealth.com GOVERNMENT Navigating the Long Road Ahead

Webster’s Dictionary deﬁ nes change as “to become different,” even radically different. You and all Americans know only too well that since September 2008 our economy has undergone such unprecedented change that most U.S. citizens could not have even begun to fathom it at the time. As a result, we have also seen change in our national political leadership. The question now facing the nation is will the economic change place constraints on the new Administration’s and Congressional legislative and regulatory agenda, or will the legislative and regulatory agenda dominate the economy?

Four issues are likely to dominate the economic and political “change” debate in 2009 — the economy and tax policy, labor policy, healthcare, and credit card interchange reform. The key to the out- come on these important national issues may largely be controlled by the Senate, where it looks as if 57 Democrats plus two Independents maintain control over 41 Republicans. Political observers have predicted the ability of the Democratic leadership to advance its agenda will rest on the ability to achieve the 60 votes necessary to end a ﬁ libuster in the Senate, by holding moderate or centrist Democrats and Independents in their camp while swaying a few moderate Republicans to vote with them. But last year’s Senate votes on the auto bailout illustrated how difﬁ cult this may be to do on major issues, especially when 19 Republicans and 16 Democrats that are up for re-election already have their eyes on the 2010 elections.

Tom Wenning, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, N.G.A.

Economy and Tax Policy

The economy and tax policy is at the top of President Obama’s agenda. President Bush on Oct. 3 signed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which authorized $700 billion of government funds to be expended to purchase ﬁ nancial institution assets, such as residential or commercial mortgages and securi- ties. As of mid-December over $350 billion of the $700 billion had been spent. Congressional Democratic leaders retained control over the remaining $350 billion in preparation for President Obama’s Secretary of Treasury to take control. In addition, Democratic leaders have laid the groundwork for a two-year stimulus package that ranges from $600 billion to $1 trillion, including $100 billion for state budget shortfalls, $175 billion for highway and other infrastructure projects, and $300 billion for tax relief. In December N.G.A. communicated its recommendations for a stimulus package to President Obama and Congressional leaders on behalf of entrepreneurial independent community based retailers and wholesalers: The best economical stimulus for entrepre- The estate tax exemption of $3.5 million neurial businesses is to decrease, not increase, should be increased to at least $5 million, the 1corporate tax rates, or the taxes on individu- 3rates reduced, and the exemption extended als that operate their businesses as subchapter S beyond the year 2010. corporations or other pass through entities. The Targeted Jobs Tax Credit should be The current expensing and bonus acceler- increased and extended to promote job 2ated depreciation should be extended. 4growth.

6 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special Health Care Reform

Daily the news carries story sions Committee (Senators Max Baucus, after story about individuals, employees, D-Mont., Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., Chuck employers and the government that Grassley, R-Iowa, Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Jay are affected by the nation’s Rockefeller, D-W.V., Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, health care problems. Too and Chris Dodd, D-Conn.) have committed to work together early in the 111th Average Annual many citizens are uninsured, Congress toward comprehensive health Spending Increase employees and employers are frustrated by the uncon- care reform that includes access to effec- 15% trollable cost spiral, and tive coverage, quality care for all, and governments are struggling measures to control rising costs. Speaker 12% with funding to provide of the House Nancy Pelosi, D.-Calif., Ways Medicaid benefi ts to over 61 and Means Committee Chairman Charles 9% million people. Every 1 mil- Rangel, D-N.Y., and newly elected Chair- lion new Medicaid benefi - man of the Energy and Commerce Com- 6% ciaries requires another $1.4 mittee will be taking the lead on House health care reform. ■ Total Health Care billion in new state Medicaid 3% The stories and the statistics regarding ■ Prescription Drugs spending. Individuals, employers the problem are well known, but fi nding and the government share the solutions is the hard part. The '70 '80 '90 '00 '07 the concern over the grow- country’s failed experience in 1994 with ing costs of health care and the Clinton Administration’s health care the need for reform. Presi- reform illustrated the complexity and dent Obama and Congres- divisiveness that can arise in designing a sional leaders are aligning to solution. Fifteen years later all concerned address health care reform parties recognize the need for reform, in this fi rst session of 111th and the country is about to embark on Congress. President Obama another journey in defi ning what that is. has said his platform is Many observers acknowledge, and to build on the existing N.G.A. agrees, that health care should health care system, and use be a shared responsibility between indi- existing providers, doctors viduals, employees, employers and the and plans. Former Senate government. N.G.A. will carefully assess Majority Leader Tom Das- legislative proposals as they are intro- chle has been appointed Sec- duced and considered by the House retary of Health and Human and Senate. As in the past, N.G.A. will Services and leader of the be an advocate for independent com- White House Offi ce on munity based retailers, wholesalers and Health Reform. In the words their employees as the Congress debates “Ideological differences and dis- of Senator Max Baucus, and considers reform legislation that will putes over policy weren’t really to Chairman of the Senate focus on concepts like individual respon- blame [for the Clinton Administra- Finance Committee, “The sibility, building on the employer based tion’s failure to pass comprehen- health system is so complex system, expanding access, and strengthen- sive health-care reform],” Former that any solution will ing public programs. Senate Majority Leader Tom Das- demand time and attention Ultimately, at the heart of the debate chle and now Secretary of Health will be the core issue of cost containment. and Human Services wrote in his to make sure we get it right.” Will the proposals for a new system 1994 book Critical. The Clintons’ Thus the road to ultimate failure was instead a matter of passage of legislation can be restrain the country’s out of control poor timing, believes President a long one. annual increases in health care expendi- Obama’s new leader of the White But in a signal of bipar- tures? Time will tell whether there will House Offi ce on Health Reform. tisanship, leaders of the be change-a health care system that will Most pundits expect an Obama Senate Finance Committee become different and better. One thing is White House with Daschle leading certain: The journey has begun. the charge won’t repeat the blun- and the Senate Health, der. Education, Labor and Pen-

8 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special Labor Law Issues

The role of so-called centrist same democratic principles of a secret Democrats and moderate Republicans is ballot election that elected President probably no more important than in Obama and members of Congress should the area of maintaining balance and fair- be available to employees when deciding ness in employee relations. Numerous whether to be represented by a union. Congressional labor legislative initiatives The Senate is expected to follow the pose negative economic consequences for House of Representatives’ vote on the employees and businesses in terms of legislation later this year, where the real maintaining jobs and the future of the battle is expected. Since October, N.G.A. business. Organized labor strongly and has been providing its members with fi nancially supported President Obama information on the adverse con- and many Democratic candidates based sequences of this legislation for upon their support for the unions’ agenda. their employees and their busi- A small group of Democratic and Repub- ness. N.G.A.’s Call to Action lican senators are likely to be key votes has been enlisting retailers and in deciding whether a fair balance will be wholesalers in its Campaign maintained. Key Senators may include: to Preserve a Democratic ■ Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark. Workplace and engaging them ■ Mark Pryor , D-Ark. grassroots efforts to contact ■ Ben Nelson, D-Neb. Representatives and Senators in ■ George Voinovich, R-Ohio all out opposition. ■ Arlen Specter, R-Penn. The Senate proponents of ■ Mark Begich, D-Alaska the bill will need to secure a ■ Kay Hagan, D-N.C. minimum of 60 votes in order ■ Mark Warner, D-Va. to end a fi libuster and to be per- N.G.A.’s top legislative priority is mitted to bring the legislation to defeat the union backed, mislabeled up for a vote on passage, which Employee Free Choice Act, which would would only require a simple tilt the playing fi eld in favor of unions majority. The Senate Republican for union organizing in the workplace. leadership has committed to fi l- This legislation would deny employees ibuster the bill and defeat the the right to a private vote in National Democratic leadership’s efforts Labor Relations Board supervised elec- to get to the 60 votes. N.G.A. tions when asked to decide whether along with its members are working to support the fi libus- N.G.A. has joined in support of the Campaign for or not to be represented by a union a Democratic Workplace, whose activities include in the workplace. It would also force ter by urging Senators to vote advertising campaigns aimed at promoting the employers into mandatory binding arbi- “no” when the cloture vote is importance of maintaining fair and open union- tration. N.G.A. feels strongly that the held to end the fi libuster. izing elections.

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 7 Abusive Credit Card Interchange Fees & Rules

“The next horror for beaten-down year. N.G.A. , as one of the leading mem- fi nancial fi rms” Business Week predicted bers of the Merchants Payment Coalition, in October, “is the $950 billion worth of has called on Congress to make the inter- outstanding credit-card debt — much of change fee system transparent and cost it toxic.” Consumers Union recently ran based, to end discrimination among mer- an ad in the Washington Post advising chants, and ultimately to reduce inter- consumers to stop piling on credit card change fees. It has also met with the debt — now standing at more than $1 tril- Federal Reserve Board, Department of Jus- lion. The U.S. Treasury has already sup- tice, and Federal Trade Commission. plied billions of taxpayer dollars to bail The association has also explored — to out banks with over $365 billion in secu- no avail — market options in providing ritized credit card debt, similar to the bail- relief from the market power dominance outs for the sub-prime mortgage mess of Visa, MasterCard and the banks. banks induced. The momentum for change to the This has shined a bright spotlight on credit card interchange fee system is the abuses of the credit card companies building. N.G.A. believes strongly the and banks. The Federal Reserve in Decem- ber 2008 issued regulations to curtail U.S. Interchange Costs (Billion $) the abusive practices of credit card compa- $48.8 nies and banks in charging excessive late fees, limiting interest rate hikes and anti- $42.1 consumer billing practices. Congress and $36.3 President Obama’s Administration recog- $30.7 nize much more needs to be done to regu- $26.3 late the credit card companies’ and banks’ $19.2 abusive practices. $16.6 N.G.A. couldn’t agree more. Change is required. Visa, MasterCard and their respective banks impose $48 billion annually in interchange fees on retailers and consumers, hidden in every credit and debit card transaction. Merchants, like '01 '02 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 retail grocers, never know the fees that are “fi xed” by Visa, MasterCard and opportunity now exists in this economic their member banks until the amount is environment to rein in the abusive prac- deducted from their bank statement at the tices. Retail grocers, like all merchants, and end of the month. Consumers typically ultimately consumers, have been subjected don’t know about the interchange fees, and to hidden interchange fees on every credit even those who don’t have credit cards end and debit card transaction. Senator Dick up paying for the fees in the cost of food Durbin and Representative John Conyers and goods they purchase. are challenging these anticompetitive fees For the last three years N.G.A. has and rules on antitrust grounds in the leg- been engaged in a four-pronged approach islation that they will again introduce, to to end this abusive practice. It has allow retailers to join together to negotiate included litigation, legislation, regulation, against Visa or Mastercard. and market-based solutions on behalf of N.G.A. strongly urges the Department its members and all merchants. of Justice to aggressively investigate the In November 2005 N.G.A. became a anticompetitive activities of the monopo- class action plaintiff before the U.S. District listic credit card companies and banks in Court for the Eastern District of New York, fi xing the price of interchange fees and consolidating over 50 lawsuits brought setting arbitrary rules. Legislation should against Visa, Mastercard and some of their level the playing fi eld by giving the Fed- respective member banks for alleged anti- eral Reserve Board authority to regulate trust violations for fi xing the prices of credit card interchange fees and rules that interchange fees and setting anticompeti- will ultimately reduce and end discrimi- tive, abusive rules. Certifi cation of the mer- natory interchange fees, provide transpar- chant class is anticipated sometime this ency, and eliminate anticompetitive rules.

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 9 ENERGY Environmental Leadership in the 21st Century

Look at Mother Nature on the run…, sang bottom line. The supermarket industry operates on very thin 1970s classic rocker Neil Young. I think Neil Young profi t margins-typically about 1.0 percent of sales. This means would be pleased that Americans increasingly express that a 10 percent reduction in energy costs for a supermarket concern regarding the environment, and that facility can translate into as much as an 8.0 percent increase manufacturer, retailers and wholesalers are in gross profi t! A 10 percent reduction in energy costs for taking steps to convey the ecofriendliness the average supermarket is equivalent to increasing net profi t of their products and services - and margins by 15 percent, increasing earnings per share by $0.06, taking an important leadership role and increasing sales per square foot by $71. regarding environmental issues. Right now, the food industry is poised to lead, on all innovation levels, and guide our nation on what may be the defi ning Retailer and wholesaler leader- & Technology ship is strong and getting stronger. issue of our time: energy and the environment. Leadership Many are working with the Envi- is often viewed by consumers through the lens of ronmental Protection Agency installing business accepting responsibility for the issues that cutting-edge technologies for lighting matter most to them, and how business guides and refrigeration systems that conserve “others” towards sensible solutions. Through energy and reduce their carbon foot- continued innovation, cooperation, creativity print. Refrigeration uses a lot of energy and passion-we have an opportunity to posi- and accounts for over 35 percent of the tively impact many generations of shoppers energy consumed in a typical grocery and catch “Mother Nature on the run.” store. The fact is energy costs not only affect the environment but also a retailer’s Frank DiPasquale, Executive Vice President, N.G.A.

Shine the Light on Energy Savings Minneapolis-based SUPERVALU has made great strides in applying innovations that improve the effi - ing applicatons in lighting, according to ciency in its 100-plus Energy Edward Parker, VP of Sales and Marketing Star stores across the country. for Design Service Group, the SUPERVALU Based on careful benchmarking energy consulting arm. They include: using third-party sources, SUPER- ■ Liberal use of skylighting. SuperValu’s VALU estimates it’s reduced annual new Cub store in St. Paul employs 44 energy demand by about 339 million skylights using a GPS system to redirect kBtu of energy — enough electricity sunlight inside. It’s expected to cut 35 to power more than 7,000 American percent from lighting costs. households. Fuel cell and refrig- ■ Glass behind checkouts to take advan- eration system improvements are tage of natural light. expected to cut carbon emissions by ■ Advanced lighting controls. 5 million pounds annually, the com- ■ T8 HO lamps for main sales after pany reports. That’s roughly the equiv- dark and after closing. alent of removing 539 cars from the ■ LED fi xtures in freezer/cooler streets. boxes and dock lights. That planned strategy of continual ■ Occupancy sensors in cooler energy improvement includes energy-sav- boxes, backrooms and offi ces. P{hotos courtesy SUPERVALU Parker will discuss his experience in renovating lighting for effi ciency with SUPERVALU and other retail clients at 8 a.m. on Feb. 4.

10 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special Where to Start A Thousand Associates of Light Consider it a partnership nage near outlets, switches, computers Eliminate with associates when you’re looking and doors. The constant message was incandescent lighting. to reduce your energy consumption, that each associate could play their part 1 in reducing the company’s energy usage. advises Michael Hewett, Manager of Change T-12 ﬂ ourescent bulbs Environmental Services for Florida’s Although some of the resulting sav- Publix Super Markets. When Publix set ings since 2002 can be attributed to with magnetic ballast to HIF T-5 out on is highly visible “Get into a improvements in technology, he says, the 2and T-8 bulbs with electronic ballast.

Consider conversion to LEDs in targeted applicatons fi rst. 3Though initial cost is relatively high, new LED technology offers several advantages: ■ Lifetimes can exceed 100 times the typical hours of tungsten bulbs. ■ No moving parts, fi laments or glass make them highly robust in commercial environments. ■ Up to 90 percent energy savings. Extensive associate-education materials underpinned ■ Non-toxic. Publix’s energy saving initiative, including computer ■ Versatile — available in a variety of monitor stickers, receiving door tags, and outlet- and switch-plate stickers. colors, and can be pulsed. ■ Cool. Green Routine,” corporate sustainability 2002 contest shows that associate edu- Potential practical applications of LED initiative in 2002, it relied heavily upon cation and participation are critical to technology includes: crossfunctional teams. As part of that green initiatives. Publix results included: team-focused effort, the retailer began ■ A 15 percent cut in average electricity • Exit signs the initiative with an energy conserva- usage for the winning store in 2002. • Signage - backlighting ■ tion contest. A 5 percent reduction in overall elec- • Spots and fl oods The associate training and awareness tricity usage across the company. program enlisted tools such as a printed ■ A $7.5 million annual savings. • Pendants and down-lights training materials, a web portal, and sig- ■ An additional 8 percent reduction in • Linear, string and cove lighting electricity consumption for the win- • Neon replacement ning store during a follow up contest, • Case and under-counter demonstrating electricity savings is a process of continual improvement. • Ambient and textural • Parking and pedestrian lighting Publix’s associate training included web-based and print training materials to involve everyone in its green initiative. Skylight. One study found retail sales in skylit stores were 40 4percent higher than non-skylit stores. Natural light provides better light quality that lends a cleaner, more spacious atmosphere. They also run cooler than electrically powered lights, reducing air-conditioning demands during hot months.

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 11 Environmental Leadership in the 21st Century

Global demand for all energy sources is forecasted to grow by 57 percent over the next 25 Looking for Resources? years. The U.S. demand for all types of energy is expected to increase by 31 percent in 25 years. It is also expected that electricity demand in The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers the United States will grow by at least 40 numerous programs and tools to help retailers and percent by 2032. wholesalers begin sustainability Retailers are responding to this pressure initiatives. A target 10 percent with several notable initiatives, including: reduction in energy use is well ■ Designing stores with energy saving within reach using the EPA’s innovations including reflective roofs Energy Star Program, one of ■ Integrating “green” technology into that series of voluntary programs existing buildings and working with the designed to identify and promote U.S. Green Building Council which energy effi ciency. develops and administers the nationally On average, according to accepted LEED-EB standard for green EPA’s Audrie Washington, buildings. Energy-Star compliant buildings ■ Encouraging widespread use of reusable use 40 percent less energy than bags by providing customers an affordable average buildings and emit 35 and eco-friendly alternative to paper and plas- percent fewer carbon emissions. tic bags. Their utility bills are over 50 cents per square foot less than average buildings. Next challenge? Your carbon footprint. The Energy Star Website, Coming soon on the retailer’s energy agenda... www.energystar.gov, connects measures to reduce your contribution to green- you with a broad range of tools house gas production. The good news is the two and resources to help you imple- main targets in today’s energy effi ciency are also ment a successful energy man- the largest contributors to a retailer’s carbon foot- agement strategy, with guidelines, checklists and toolkits print. as well as a number of examples and implementation plans with energy saving opportunities. Contributors to Food Retail Carbon Footprint EPA’s similar, refrigerent-effi ciency program, Green- Chill, is an EPA cooperative alliance with the supermarket Refrigerants industry to promote adoption of advanced refrigeration, Electricity reduce ozone-depleting charges and emissions, bench- Use mark operations against their historical performance and against comparable peers to evaluate progress, provide recognition for going beyond regulatory requirements, build brand equity and help achieve environmental stew- 49% 34% ardship goals. GreenChill partners are required to baseline their corporate-wide refrigerant inventory and emissions, develop reduction plans, report their estimates and commit to using only non-ozone depleting refrigerants. As a result, EPA estimates based on 2007 benchmarks, GreenChill supermarket partners average refrigerant leak rates of only 15 percent — about 10 points below the 13% industry’s 25 percent average. Aviation 4% Fleet For more information, go to www.epa.gov/greenchill (Negligible) transport Natural Gas Use

12 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special The Industry Leader in Benchmarking, Best Practices and Decision Support.

In today’s competitive and trying economic times, it is more important than ever to optimize the return on investment from all areas of your business. While most store owners are very aware of the costs of operating their physical store and how to maximize payback, many individuals do not understand how to maximize their back office efficiencies and therefore improve the bottom line. These opportunities come in two forms:

1) Cost Reductions 2) Improving Information Flow to Better Run Your Business Cost Reductions

The back office functions have changed greatly over the past decade and so has technology. It is important to understand what takes place in your back office and determine whether it is providing a return on your investment or can be streamlined to reduce labor costs. Many of these changes are simpler to make than you think and can result in substantial savings.

In addition to direct labor costs, opportunities are plentiful. Reviews and re-negotiations of store service contracts, health care plans, and credit card processing fees are just a few places to start. Improving Information Flow to Better Run Your Business

Timely and relevant information is the key for all good business decisions. New technology can put the information securely in the hands of executives and store personnel in a timely manner. If you are wait- ing weeks to receive your inventory results, you are missing out on valuable time to correct issues and reduce shrink.

FMS can help! With the Power of The FMS Portal and reporting tools, you can put your financial and payroll information to use. Whether you choose to outsource your accounting and payroll to FMS or use our financial, treasury, payroll and HR applications, The FMS Portal will provide you and your team with the information in a secure fashion from any where in the world.

FMS can help you understand your back office operations and how you can save money by becoming more efficient. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an FMS Right Size Assessment and Financial Operations Review. Start putting your dollars to work, growing your sales and your bottom line and not your overhead.

9P[JOPL/PNO^H`:\P[L7HZHKLUH4+ ^^^MTZZVS\[PVUZJVT HEALTH What it Is and What it Is Not

Healthcare defi nes everything, it now seems. Social, an umbrella of govern- U.S. Healthcare Spending political and cultural domestic issues all eventually revolve back ment dependency, mobi- $4,000 into orbit around it in some way. The impact on society, the lize them on their behalf, economy, popular thought, the defi nition of citizenship, the and shift more power $3,000 foundation of individual responsibility, the role of the market- toward larger govern- place and expanding power of government authority over the ment and political elites. $2,000 most intimate realities of our lives are powerfully embodied $1,000 within this single concern. Let’s clear up some mis- understanding. Let us '60 '70 '80 '90 '00 '10 '15 With those high stakes comes an accompanying level of vocal, defi ne: Your health is Healthcare spending now consumes agenda-driven misinformation. The result? The true nature and your greatest asset. It is a property right. Your more than 16 percent of the country’s origin of the healthcare issue goes misunderstood, goods and services. By 2025 it’s wrongly defi ned. Conventional wisdom and par- good health is the source expected to take more than one-fourth. tial, carefully selected, oft-repeated data points of your ability and your distort what healthcare issues are really about. wellbeing. Without it, The political opportunists have recognized you are poorer. It belongs to you, not to the government and this distortion of substance hands them the not to your employer. In that light, it becomes obvious that the opportunity to mass more people under goal of healthcare policy should be a market-based and critically

Frank DiPasquale, Executive Vice President, N.G.A. Continues on page 16

Healthy Eating from the Ground Up

What better way to bring con- ers delivering food that sumers face to face with healthier natu- was always in the appropri- ral eating than grow that food yourself, ate season. People shopped believes Sam Mogannam, owner of daily, to maintain a regular the highly successful Bi-Rite Market in connection with that food. San Francisco’s storied Mission District. Those are two prerequisites Raising the store’s own heirloom toma- for healthy, sustainable toes, eggplant, squash, zucchini, sweet food, he believes. corn, apples, peaches, ﬂ owers, herbs and Today, he and his buyer others helps the family grocer “close the choose produce they sell loop between soil and shelf.” from growers who are It’s a lesson the formally trained cook as passionate as they learned while watching chefs during an are — based on taste and quality, not shelf-life. Mogannam and his wife raise internship in Switzerland. Each morning, their own organic vegetables “I never wanted to sell they opened their kitchens to local farm- and other produce in a small what I farm around their Sonoma, Mogannam discusses Bi-Rite’s relation with organic wouldn’t eat Calif., home. He believes it consumers at 8 a.m. on Feb. 4. myself,” says keeps the independent store Courtesy Sam Mogannam Mogannam. rooted in the food community.

14 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special

‘When people come to see their health as their individual property that grows in value when effectively managed, the imperative for direct individual responsibility becomes crystal clear.’

balanced policy that’s grounded and empowered in greater individual freedom and expanded choice through adoption of direct and active individual healthcare responsibility. We need to stop asking how we can afford healthcare and determine how to make healthcare more affordable. The problem is our healthcare system lacks the clear metrics that most businesses use to determine value per dollar spent. Healthcare is most popularly — and incorrectly — defi ned as an issue of health insurance, access, cost and the uninsured. Correctly defi ned it is, fi rst and foremost, an issue and opportunity of leadership, focused on the mission of individual improved health, improved healthcare and improved healthcare security. The answer lies in more individual and consumer engagement, not less. We need to educate consumers to steward their own individual health as well Courtesy GHA design studios. Northville, Mich. or better than they would any of their other, less-valuable assets. When people come to see their health as their individual property, property that grows in value when it’s effectively managed and maintained, the imperative for active investment and direct individual responsibility becomes crystal clear.

That’s not a statement of ideology. That’s an observation about our only viable exit out of the looming crisis. Empowering individuals to take responsibility, manage their healthcare-spending risk and better manage their savings is the only substantive basis for healthcare models. Employers and employees are already successfully adopting these models in the marketplace with great success, creating more active and engaged consumers intent on managing their health and healthcare.

The time for legislators and healthcare “experts” to quit talking past one another and see clearly the root causes has come. We started the 21st century with a $5.7 trillion debt. Now it is over $10 trillion. With the baby boomers set to retire over the next 17 years, we’ll add 78 million recipients to the Social Security roll. The GAO estimated that last year’s unfunded obligations for Medicare and Social Security alone totaled $41 trillion.

But the crisis we face isn’t just one of demography. It’s also a crisis of attitude. The accumulating failures in our country’s healthcare system cause profound weakness in the American economy. Any agenda to ﬁ x it must have the vision to recognize the importance of health, push prevention, coordinate care, pay for performance, streamline administration and leverage information technology. A call to action should not be about penalizing employers who can’t afford to pay for employee healthcare. It insight must be an honest attempt to understand the core problems, to develop meaningful on today’s solutions and to empower individuals to afford the healthcare they choose. consumer

16 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 16 BUNZL DISTRIBUTION USA, INC.

PROUD CO-SPONSOR OF THE N.G.A. BEST BAGGER CONTEST

DELIVERING FOR OUR CUSTOMERS DiPasquale: Crisis Breakdown

Informed Choices Mean Healthy Choices Let’s get specifi c. What does a healthcare crisis look like? ■ According to the Commonwealth Fund Commission’s 2008 National Scorecard on the U.S What started as an innocent request by a Health System Performance, Spending per Capita group of local dieticians to use one of his southeast Michigan United States France a comprehensive international $6,000 VG’s Food Centers in an informal training Germany Australia tour, to teach chronic heart disease and benchmark of healthcare qual- $5,000 Canada United Kingdom health-threatening obesity patients about ity, accessibility, effi ciency and $4,000 improved health through nutrition, has equity, the United States $3,000 evolved into a store-differentiating achieves an overall score of $2,000 customer-service program, says VG’s only 65 out of a possible 100 $1,000 Director Nick Lenzi. across 37 core performance '80 '84 '88 '92 '96 '00 '04 “We found that so many of indicators. our regular shoppers started fol- ■ The U.S. ranks 42nd in life expectancy, down from 11th place 20 lowing these dieticians around, years ago, according to a report from the Kaiser Daily Health Policy and it got so congested that we started think, ‘Hey, there’s something to this...’” Report. The resulting “VG’s Health Connection” shelf-tag program ■ Despite spending more than $2 Infant Mortality (per thousand) identifi es seven different areas upon which VG’s can better trillion annually on healthcare — Japan Finland educate consumers on more than 30,000 food SKUs in the twice as much as any other Iceland Denmark 6.8 5.3 stores: Low Fat, Low Sodium, High Fiber, Allergy Alert, Gluten nation, A GAO report on health- Sweden Canada Norway United States 4.4 Free, Low Sugar and Organic. care notes that the U.S. health- “Whether or not the item met the particular defi nition for 3.1 3.2 3.3 care system performs below par 2.8 2.8 those factors, we created custom shelf tags for every single item in such measures as rates of in the store,” Lenzi explains. The next evolution in the program, infant mortality, life expectancy, he says, is to tackle the often challenging educational task of helping consumers understand portion size and to decipher and premature and preventable label portion information accurately. deaths. The response to VG’s Health Connection has been over- ■ We often hear, and rightfully so, that 47 million citizens lack healthcare. whelmingly positive and has established VG’s as a community But 20 percent to 30 percent of healthcare treatments are considered health resource, he says. Store unnecessary. These lead to reduced productivity, complications and personnel now get involved in overall higher healthcare costs. community outreach with dieti- ■ Americans get the right treatment only 55 percent of the time, accord- cians, hundreds of local medical ing to the Center for the Study of the Presidency, 2008. clinics now display its program ■ Roughly 80 percent of all chronic diseases in the United States materials and doctors often refer patients to the VG’s program. are caused by preventable factors like obesity, smoking and physical “That’s a testament to the integ- inactivity. Patients with chronic healthcare diseases account for more rity of the program,” Lenzi than 75 percent of U.S. healthcare expenditures, yet only 5 percent of believes. healthcare spending is devoted to prevention and public health. “Our company has always ■ If the money spent in the United States just to administer health VG’s program materials, been about listening to our cus- insurance were reduced to the average level of countries like Germany, designed by nearby GHA tomers. They look to us. They trust us. We’re Switzerland and the Netherlands — which have mixed private/public Design Studios, include a family owned business. We’re local. Help- insurance systems — the estimated $51 billion saved would pay more shelf talkers and cart- ing them learn to eat healthier and manage based “cliff notes” refer- than half the cost of providing comprehensive healthcare coverage to health through their choices in our stores is ence materials. just a natural outgrowth of that philosophy.” all uninsured Americans. ■ According to the Health Information and Management Systems Society, less than 20 percent of physicians nationwide have basic functional Hear Lenzi discuss VG’s successful Health Connection electronic patient health records. The budgeted dollars for a suffi cient program and other ideas to differentiate your store by infrastructure for healthcare information technology lags behind most helping consumers with lifestyle choices at 8 a.m. on other industries. The right information at the right time improves not Feb. 4. only effi ciency but also quality of healthcare.

18 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special Adding Vitality to Life

As one of the world’s largest consumer products companies, we aim to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. Our portfolio of brands make people feel good, look good and get more out of life.

For more information visit www.unileverusa.com LEADERSHIP Meeting the Global Association Challenges

When Tom Zaucha joined the National Grocers Asso- is right now. And the restructuring retailers have undergone ciation at its founding in 1982 B.SC. (Before SuperCenters), the didn’t spare the network of trade associations representing traditional grocery store still sold more than half of all food, the them across the country. Companies that have been forced to top ﬁ ve retailers’ share of market still hovered at only around do more with less have rightfully called their representative one-quarter, the population was still growing at a healthy 1 trade groups to the carpet for their own accounting. It’s left percent per year, and the average American ate a full 17 days’ many struggling to justify their leadership value and to explore more worth of meals in the home than they do today. new methods to make a measurable contribution to the success of their members. You know the rest of the story. We live in an era of disruption. Increasing inroads by the retailing giants, consumers who have i Magazine sat down with Zaucha for an i to i on the future of been conditioned to buy on price, questions about the longterm independent, community-focused retailing and the association sustainability of appealing only to niche markets, it all adds up that represents the sector. to make the old adage ring painfully true: It’s never been easy to make a living at retailing, but it’s never been tougher than it

the food industry. If you consider that : You told the crowd at the 43rd : So there’s still plenty of opportunity our ultimate mission and vision — both annual Food Marketing Conference last for the Mom & Pop store to compete? the N.G.A.’s and its members’ — is to Spring that all was not rosy, but that Zaucha: But see, there’s your mistake. best serve the consumer, then it is the independent grocery retailing was nev- Let me correct your thinking on one consumer who benefi ts from a diversi- ertheless still a healthy and vibrant point. When we say that N.G.A. rep- fi ed marketplace. By diversity we mean sector of the economy. Today, with U.S. resents the independent grocer, some- having suffi cient choices in terms of unemployment threatening to reach times that mistakenly tends to be heard price, suffi cient choices in terms of double digits according to some pundits as N.G.A. represents the smaller retailer. value, suffi cient choices in terms of ser- and a global “fi nancial meltdown” hard But let me tell you, there are some vice and suffi cient choices in terms of on our heels, would you like the chance very successful smaller entrepreneurs quality. And the broader that diversity, to take any of that back? out there. There are independents who the broader the competition, the more Zaucha: Not substantially, no. While operate 10,000 square foot stores and assured the consumer is seeing those full profi tability is not as high as in years there are independents who operate range of choices and the benefi ts that past, we at the National Grocers Associa- 60,000 square foot stores. There are follow. tion still believe the independent retail those who operate 200,000 square foot sector is a vibrant and growing contrib- stores, or multiples of them. All inde- : So it’s really about that old Ameri- utor to the diversity and strength of the pendent by any defi nition. Size and can ideal of stubborn individualism? food industry. Look at the list of the top format do not adequately refl ect the def- 300 retail stores: It has added inition of “independent. “ Zaucha: Well, yes...and no. I do 62 new retail names in the agree that independent retailing has last fi ve years. IGA, for exam- always been largely a question of phi- : Then how would you? ple, is opening 175 new stores losophy — the philosophy of going to in the United States this year Zaucha: How would I defi ne “inde- market. The spirit of an independent and plans another 200 more. pendent?” retailer begins and ends with a passion Others are innovating their for- for the business, with a desire to get up mats and presentation with every morning and go to that store or : Yes. fresh approaches that are stores such that you almost can’t wait making them the envy of the Zaucha: One of the things I believe for the sun to rise in order to begin. It’s supercenters. It’s never been N.G.A. has done well over its 26 year something that’s in their nature, in their easy to make a profi t in inde- history is to focus the meaning of “inde- chemistry. i to i pendent food retailing, but the pendent” and, perhaps more impor- Just look at a Phil Woodman, for one on one tantly, illustrate why that independent is instance, from Madison, Wis. Phil is up with N.G.A.’s sector remains fundamentally a necessary and valuable component of to I think 12 stores now, each in the Tom Zaucha strong.

20 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special 200,000 square feet size ranges. Phil’s passion for the business is literally contagious. He is one of the most energetic and innovative marketers I’ve ever run into. He’s an independent. Look at a Mike Provenzano with his Ranch Markets, who through ‘That’s independent sheer innovation and ingenuity has literally created the Hispanic market format in the Southwest, changing the whole shopping experience from grocery store to food thinking: The ability to see festival. That’s independent thinking: The ability to see what isn’t there, and then what isn’t there and then go out and create it. And yes, then you do throw in a good measure of the old John-Wayne, true-grit refusal to quit. You can easily see that spirit in the success of go out and create it.’ the ShopRite/Wakefern Cooperative. When they see a challenge or feel something is threatening, they can dig in and put together a business plan in response that is second to none. One you could put them up against any major corporate entity — in any industry. That’s what deﬁ nes the independent retailer. But even as I say that, you have to recognize that even those qualities don’t fully capture what N.G.A. means when we speak of our vision of defending the independent grocer.

: How so? Paradoxically, “independent” does not mean you stand alone. Independence in the sense of community- focused grocers has throughout our history almost always involved a sense of service to the surround- ing community that can’t be separated from the success of the enterprise. It may sound counter-intuitive, but independents can only be independent within the context of their communities. That’s the competitive essence that the multinational corporations are missing. I believe successful independent grocery companies begin with an honest desire to serve. Successful independent grocers really love their customers. They treat them as friends. They treat them as neighbors. You can’t succeed for long in community focused retailing by simply extracting dollars. Go to Butler, PA, for instance, and take a walk through a Friedmans Freshmarkets with Carole Bitter. Carole will know each and every associate by name, and a good portion of the customers. Her company has been in Butler for over 100 years. Go down to Southern Virginia to Food City, and walk through the stores with Steve Smith, our former chairman. If Steve sees a line at one of the checkstands, he’ll step up and start bagging. Visit Roche Bros. in Boston and the ﬁ rst thing that strikes you is the

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 21 ‘Successful independent grocery companies begin with an honest desire to serve. Successful independent grocers really love their customers. They treat them as friends. They treat them as neighbors.’

pride they have in their stores and the fact they have served those communities for years. It’s almost as if they open their doors in the morning to invite in guests rather than customers.

: Then we can safely assume you don’t particularly agree with those who would preach to grocers that the presence of “food deserts” is a particular failing of retailers to be accountable to the food security of their communities? Zaucha: Absolutely. Over the years, N.G.A. has always held to the belief that business success goes hand in hand with social accountability. You simply do not strengthen a community’s food security when you build in business impediments, regulatory or otherwise. They only serve to weaken independent private enterprise. I’m not sure we’re well served by inviting the same people who want to re-engineer the automobile industry to attempt to re-engineer the food industry. Independents are already — by their nature — committed to their customers, to their associates, and to their neighbors. Those are their real stockholders.

: On that note, obviously N.G.A. sees plenty of opportunity for — to put it One example of N.G.A.’s contribution to fos- delicately — “involvement” with the incoming Washington administration? tering community involvement is the Gro- cers Care program, in which local and Zaucha: Let me answer it this way: Our philosophy and vision has always national politicians work in cooperation with been of a mind that it’s better to work in collaboration with government than in local food retailers to donate food to local confrontation with government. Volunteerism is a policy option with much more charities in their name. potential for success than mandatory controls. Unfortunately, in our political system, especially in the last number of years, the pendulum seems to swing from right to left, from left to right, with little opportunity to reach a sensible middle ground for any period of time. We are in desperate need today to reach that middle ground, where we have collaboration, where we have more volunteerism and less mandates. We plan to remain very much an integral part of the democratic process, working toward uniform and consistent enforcement of the level playing field in the future.

: Where do you see N.G.A. fi tting in that future? Zaucha: I believe one of the common mistakes professional associations risk making is that they sometimes try to change the industry to fi t the vision of the association, rather than change the association to fi t the industry. As far back as the beginning of this organization, when we brought the cooperative food distributors together with the National Association of Retailer Grocers, and then made the somewhat radical decision to invite all wholesalers to work in tandem with retailers, we have shown a willingness to change as the industry changed. The vision was to create an organization that would be strong, able to sustain itself and grow in the N.G.A.’s vision of political involvement has face of the competition and to change as the economics of the industry evolved. always emphasized collaboration rather Our key shift toward recognizing the retailer and wholesaler must function as a than confrontation to ensure the playing virtual chain by learning to collaborate recognizes the importance of interdepen- fi eld remains level, says Zaucha. Here dence in serving the community. Throughout, our initial philosophy has remained he discusses politics with (from left) constant: Every viable industry segment deserves representation and service. As former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow — in one of his last public the industry changes and the economics change, organizations like N.G.A. need to appearances before losing his battle with make appropriate changes to ensure that industry segment is being represented. cancer — N.G.A. Executive Vice Presidents An association is only as viable as the industry segment it represents. Ultimately, Frank DiPasquale and Tom Wenning, and an association must reinforce its total commitment to its mission, philosophy and foreign affairs specialist Fareed Zakaria. value statement. We have done that very well.

22 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special

TASTINGS Take Advantage of Some of the Best Food Available

5-Hour Energy BigcOS Sample 5-Hour Energy Berry, Lemon-Lime, Orange, Ginseng products Decaf and Extra Strength. Brothers International Food Corp. American Beverage Marketers Brothers All-Natural Fruit Crisps Delicious cocktails: Bloody Mary, Margarita, Mojito Gold’n Plump Poultry and more! 1-2 oz samples of Just BARE™ Boneless, Skinless Axium Foods Chicken Breast with seasoning. Pajeda’s® Brand Tortilla Chips and Salsa Creekstone Farms Premium and Natural Black Angus Beef, Rib Eyes and Kansas City Strips. FEATURED CHEFS Guittard Chocolate Company Chocolate CHEF PHILIPPE PAROLA CHEF STATION Yellow Fin Tuna with Philmin Blackberry Karadeci Group LLC Wine Sauce, Italian Sausages with FOR DUMMIES Wine Collection featuring luscious Philmin Black Pepper Wine Sauce, wines from around the world! Salmon Steaks with Philmin Garlic KEMPS LLC Lemon Butter Wine Sauce, Hamburger Yogurt Parfait Cups and Ice Cream Singles Fun Steaks with Philmin Mushroom Wine Flavors Sauce, Scallops with Philmin Garlic Morton Salt Co. Lemon Cream Sauce, Crab Cakes with Seasoned salt products Philmin Blackberry Wine Sauce, Sword Fish with Philmin Blue Cheese Wine Sauce, Port Loin with Philmin Black Mountain High Coffee Pepper Wine Cream Sauce, Petit Sirloin with Philmin Single origin coffee blends Black Pepper Wine Sauce and Shrimps, Grilled Shrimps Nutorius, LLC with Philmin Garlic Lemon Wine Butter Sauce, Grilled Nut confections and toppings Chicken Kabob with Philmin Blackberry Wine Sauce, Filet Mignon with Philmin Blue Cheese Wine Sauce, Chicken Partran LLC Breast with Philmin Mushroom Cream Sauce, and Tilapia Grilled chicken, beef, pork and seafood topped with with Philmin Blackberry Wine Sauce Philmin wine gourmet sauces. KRAFT KITCHENS DEMONSTRATION AREA Rising Sun Farms Fresh Asian Chicken Salad, Grilled Cheese Tortas - Pesto Sauces with crackers and crusty Panini, Angel Lush…Make it your bread. way!, South-of-the-Border Chicken & Sushi With Gusto Pasta Skillet Sushi BEEF BAM CHEF STATION Texas Tamale Co. Grilled Top Sirloin Filets with Smoky Gourmet Tamales, Chili, Queso, Sauces. Orange Sauce, Marinated Cucumbers, Viola’s Gourmet Goodies Spicy Grilled Ribeye Cap Steaks with Jelly, relishes and sauces with chips and crackers Avocado-Mango Salad, Cumin-Seasoned Steak with Spicy Grilled Corn Salsa, Ses- Wells’ Dairy Inc./Blue Bunny ame-Soy Steak Stir-Fry on Wonton Crisps Ice Cream and Frozen Dairy Desserts

Relax. Real, all-natural sugar has just15 little calories a teaspoon. No other ingredients or chemical additives inside, either. And that’s all there is to it.

www.sugar.org SHOWCASE 2009 Supermarket Synergy Showcase

Welcome to the premiere gathering of vendors devoted to the community of independent, locally focused retailers and wholesalers.

The National Grocers Association Super- market Synergy Showcase Concept Show FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL SAFETY/SECURITY Floor provides manufacturers and sup- pliers with an interactive, value-added program available only at the 2009 N.G.A. Annual Convention.

The launching of the S3 Concept Show Floor seven years ago continues to be a huge success! The Concept Show Floor allows everyone to watch and participate in live product demonstrations, sample a large selection of new products and talk directly to the manufacturers.

This year’s Concept Show Floor highlights a large number of products and services. This means hundreds of buyers STORE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY will pack into an exhibit hall ready to discover the best products and latest innovations in the industry. There will be plenty of food sampling and tasting stations, as well as a variety of live product demonstrations. FAMILY BUS. & INDUSTRY RESOURCES BUS. & INDUSTRY FAMILY

STORE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

26 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special Inside You’ll Find

CENTER STORE SALES SPECIALTY FRESH & PREPARED If you’re focusing your energies to recapture those critical center store sales, start here. FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL SERVICES Discover accounting and fi nancial management solutions to improve supermarket effi ciency and competitiveness. FAMILY BUS. & INDUSTRY RESOURCES Discuss issues with the nation’s premiere information and training resources from top universities, media and others. NATURAL/ORGANIC FOOD SAFETY & SECURITY Learn about the latest in technology to ensure you maintain a secure front line in the fi ght for food safety.

CENTER STORE SALES NATURAL & ORGANIC FOOD See the latest in natural living and eating options for today’s health conscious consumers. FRESH & PREPARED FOOD Find about the high quality meats, seafood, produce and deli items to capture meals away from home consumers. SPECIALTY & ETHNIC FOOD FARMER/MARKET Explore the range of products available to satisfy the increasingly divers American tastes. STORE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY Find the newest and most efﬁ cient ideas for new technology ﬁ xtures and equipment at competitive cost. FARMER GOES TO MARKET CENTER STORE SALES The only place where you can ask a working farmer about the important food issues of today. Real farmers, real answers!

S3 Concept Floor hours run from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 4 and 5.

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 27 CENTER CENTER STORE SALES

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28 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special Gatekeeper Systems IGA, Inc. Merchant du Vin 8 Studebaker 8745 W. Higgins Road #350 18200 Olympic Avenue S. Irvine, CA 92618 Chicago, IL 60631 Tukwila, WA 98188 Ph: (949) 271-3939 Fax: (805) 594-1011 Ph: (773) 693-4520 Fax: (773) 693-1271 Ph: (253) 656-0320 Fax: (253) 872-5530 www.gatekeepersystems.com www.igainc.com www.merchantduvin.com Gatekeeper Systems, the leading provider of intel- World’s largest voluntary supermarket network with America’s premier specialty beer importer since ligent cart solutions offer solutions for retailers to retail sales of over $21 billion per year. The Alliance 1978. Samuel Smith’s, Lindemans, Ayinger, Pinkus, prevent shopping cart loss, merchandise theft, and includes more that 4,000 Hometown Proud Super- Traquair, Zates, Green’s Gluten-Free, Orval, West- to maintain high customer service and environmen- markets, supported by 36 distribution companies and malle and Rochefort. tal standards. Gatekeeper has been offering global more than 55 major manufacturers, vendors and sup- Metrosplash Systems Group Inc. shopping cart containment solutions for over 10 pliers offering everything from grocery to equipment. years. 2300 Highland Village Rd. Ste 700 Interactive Marketing Inc. Highland Village, TX 75077 General Information Services, Inc. (GIS) 7400 Metro Blvd., Suite 270 Ph: (972) 966-3235 Fax: (972) 966-0241 917 Chapin Road Edina, MN 55439 www.metrosplash.com Chapin, SC 29036 Ph: (952) 831-3377 Fax: (800) 790-4961 FuelLinks® is a proven program for grocery retailers Ph: (888) 333-5696 Fax: (803) 948-2144 www.interactivemarketing.us to offer fuel rewards on select merchandise driving www.geninfo.com I.M. is AMN Corp. which provides retailers and con- overall sales lift and promoting customer loyalty. GIS is the leading provider of pre-employment sumer product marketers tools to increase sales per Morton Salt screening and HR solutions. From Tax Credit Man- shopper, while strengthening customer relationships agement to complete Employment Eligibility Veri- through enhanced service. 123 N. Wacher Chicago, IL 60606 fi cations, let GIS help withyour hiring headaches. Kehe Foods Dist. With our total workforce management suite, we can Ph: (312) 807-2000 Fax: (312) 807-2769 take you from A to Zen. 900 N. Schmidt Road www.mortonsalt.com Romeoville, IL 60446 Morton table salt, with the famous Umbrella Girl, is Good L Corp./Big Basket Co. Ph: (815) 886-3700 Fax: (815) 886-7530 one of the most widely recognized consumer brands 5382 Murfreesboro Road www.kehefood.com in the country. In addition to table salt, Morton sat- LaVergne, TN 37086 Specialty food distributor of specialty, natural/ isfi es a variety of consumer needs with Sea Salt, Ph: (615) 793-7779 Fax: (615) 793-7487 organic and ethnic products. Coarse Kosher Salt, Salt & Pepper Shakers, Season- www.bigbasketco.com Keller Center for Corporate Learning All, Nature’s Seasons Seasoning Blend, Lite Salt, Plastic hand held shopping baskets with customer Salt Substitute, Popcorn Salt, Canning & Pickling logo, shopping carts and store fi xtures. DeVry University; One Tower Lane Salt, Ice Cream & Cooling Salt, and Sugar Cure and Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Tender Quick Meat Curing Salts. Gourmet Nantel Inc. Ph: (630) 706-3534 Fax: (630) 574-1696 2000 Bombardier www.corp.keller.edu Mountain High Coffee Co. Ste-Julie, Quebec, Canada The Keller Center for Corporate Learning offers P.O. Box 3043 Ph: (450) 649-1331 Fax: (450) 649-2996 corporate education, tailored learning, and profes- Brentwood, IN 37067 www.gourmetnantel.com sional training solutions that bridge organizational Ph: (615) 376-8132 Fax: (800) 476-5214 Number 1 producer of cream fudge worldwide. Our and employee needs through, DeVry University, its www.mountainhighcoffee.com best seller is an attractive bakery tray available in Keller Graduate School of Management, and Becker. Coffee - Roasted, Ground and Instant fi ve fl avors. Single serve, club size, gift pack and All recognized leaders in pracitioner-based instruc- Nourish America family packs are available. tion — available when and where you need it. P.O. Box 567 Guiding Stars Licensing Company Kemp’s Ice Cream Ojai, CA 93020 145 Pleasant Hill Road 1270 Energy Lane Ph: (805) 715-2693 Fax: (805) 715-9701 Scarborough, ME 4074 St. Paul, MN 55108 www.nourishamerica.org Ph: (207) 885-3311 Fax: (207) 396-3311 Ph: (800) 322-9566 Fax: (214) 726-9915 Nourish America is an award winning charity that www.guidingstars.com www.kemps.com provides nourishing food and nutritional supple- Guiding Stars is the world’s fi rst storewide nutrition Kemp’s Ice Cream and Dairy Products ments to those in need in America. This includes navigation system. The program makes healthy LumaGuard needy children and families, low income seniors, choices simple by awarding one, two and three star veterans and victims of disasters. 65 Air Park Drive ratings representing good, better and best nutritional Partran LLC value to food items The Guiding Stars system is now Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 being licensed to members of the grocery industry. Ph: (631) 585-5505 Fax: (613) 585-5510 9122 Worth Avenue www.AdvancedLampCoatings.com Baton Rouge, LA 70884 Harder & Associates Inc. LumaGuard provides a full line of Inspector Friendly Ph: (888) 572-8237 Fax: (888) 733-0127 PMB 116 5115 Excelsior Blvd. safety coated lighting products for the food indus- www.philmin.com St. Louis Park, MN 55426 try, all of which are USDA, FDA, and HACCP com- Gourmet wine sauces. Ph: (952) 922-5736 Fax: (800) 831-5811 pliant. Coupled with superior quality and excellent Pet Supplies Plus www.harderassociates.com customer service, LumaGuard is your choice for all Assisting Independent Supermarkets with promotions types and all brands of shatter-contained lighting 22710 Haggerty Road that increase sales and gross profi ts. Specializing in needed in the food industry. Farmington Hills, MI 48335 Ph: (248) 374-1900 Fax: (248) 374-7900 a “Way To Be Different” from Super Centers. Our pro- Mansfi eld Oil Co. motions cannot be Ad Matched by the competition. www.petsuppliesplus.com 3422 Fawn Hill Be part of the growing $41 billion specialty pet Hobart Corp. Matthews, NC 28105 supply industry. Utilize your grocery experience in 701 South Ridge Avenue Ph: (800) 695-6626 Fax: (678) 450-2332 the highly profi table pet supply category. Pet Sup- Troy, OH 45374 www.mansfi eldoil.com plies Plus has over 230 stores in 23 states and is the Ph: (937) 332-2015 Fax: (937) 332-2633 Mansfi eld Oil Company is a nationwide supplier of largest franchised pet supply retailer in the nation. www.hobartcorp.com petroleum products for retail “Fuel Centers” and Q-Matic Corp. Commercial food equipment slicers, saws, scales, warehouse/distribution needs. Our services include refrigeration, bakery ovens/proofers, tenderizers, rotary fuel center site evaluatin and development, consult- 95 Underwood Road ovens, fryers/grinders/food processors, auto & manual ing services, construction, upgrades, and gasoline Fletcher, NC 28732 wrapping eqipment, rotisserie and conventional ovens. supply for any retail / commercial requirement. Ph: (828) 209-1000 Fax: (828) 209-1100

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 29 www.Q-matic.com The Brenmar Co. Valassis delivers highly targeted grocery and CPG For over 25 years, Q-Matic systems and customer 8523 So. 117th Street advertising solutions by optimizing print media fl ow management process has helped over 30,000 Lavista, NC 68128 plans through direct mail and newspapers, deliv- companies worldwide increase productivity, profi t- Ph: (402) 935-7229 Fax: (402) 592-8275 ering unparalleled market penetration and superior ability and improve customer and staff experiences. response. www.brenmarco.com Save-A-Lot Eco-friendly bags and packaging. Women Grocers of America (WGA) 100 Corporate Offi ce Drive Ukrop’s Dress Express 1005 N. Glebe Road, Suite 250 Arlington, VA 22201 Earth City, MO 63045 5160 Commerce Road Ph: (314) 592-9476 Fax: (314) 592-9645 Richmond, VA 23234 Ph: (703) 516-0700 Fax: (703) 516-0115 www.save-a-lot.com Ph: (804) 373-3300 Fax: (804) 323-6772 www.nationalgrocers.org Nation’s leading extreme value, edited assortment WGA Serves as an information and advisory arm to grocery chain, operating nearly 1,200 value-oriented www.ukropsdressexpress.com the National Grocers Association. Providing a unique Uniforms, corporate apparel and promotional prod- stores in all types of neighborhoods - urban, rural, opportunity for women involved in the grocery indus- ucts. and suburban - and delivers terrifi c savings, up to 40 try, either through career, a family business business percent compared to conventional grocery stores. Ultra Green LCC or a spouse who is employed in any segment of the Tellermate, Inc. 171 Cheshire Lane N Suite 500 food distribution system. 1080 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Bldg. 100, Suite 350 Plymouth, MN 55441 Zep Inc. Roswell, GA 30075 Ph: (763) 746-3345 Fax: (763) 746-3345 1310 Seaboard Ind. Blvd. Ph: (770) 220-5111 Fax: (678) 502-5069 www.ultragreenhome.com Atlanta, GA 30318 www.tellermate.com Plates, bowls made from sugar cane fi ber. Cups & Ph: (404) 352-1680 Fax: (404) 367-4113 utensils made from corn starch, compostable, biode- Tellermate, Inc. is a leading provider of cash man- www.zep.com gradable and sustainable. agement systems for the retail, food service and The recent fusion of a host of Zep’s most popular fi nancial industries. Tellermate Group has more than Valassis GreenLink™ environmentally preferable products and 250,000 users in over 30 countries. Tellermate sys- 1 Targeting Center the new ProVisions™ line of Kitchen Auxiliary and tems secure and increase the profi tablility of cash Windsor, CT 6075 Automated Warewash products with the Lock-Out intensive businesses by verifying the accuracy of Ph: (800) 285-6204 Fax: (860) 285-6109 Safety Program, has positioned Zep as the leader in cash transactions. www.valassis.com providing convenient, highly effective environmentally preferable cleaning and sanitation solutions. FINANCIAL FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL SERVICES

A+ Career Apparel Customer Impact delivers actionable, cost-effective Howell Data Systems 838 Mitten Road customer experience information to grocery retailers 266 Elmwood Avenue Burlingame, CA 94010 by providing an online method for sign-up, payment, Buffalo, NY 14222 Ph: (877) 632-7587 Fax: (913) 232-9404 and receipt of mystery shop reports. Ph: (800) 410-6871 Fax: (519) 758-1611 www.apluscareerapparel.com Eagle Products Inc. www.hdxsolutions.com *Custom Manufactured and Inventory Uniforms HDS is a full service Point of Sales systems provider. 1411 Marvin-Griffi n Road *Uniform Fulfi llment Programs We offer industry leading POS store systems software, Augusta, GA 30906 payment processing solutions, gift card programs, Benchmaster (Structural Plastics Corp.) Ph: (706) 790-6687 Fax: (706) 790-6066 price checker and order placement Kiosk technology 3401 Chief Drive www.eagleproducts.us and self checkout systems consulting and design. Motorizeds - shoppers/scooters Holly, MI 48442 IDT Retail Ph: (800) 523-6899 Fax: (810) 953-9440 Financial Supermarkets, Inc. 520 Broad Street, 10th Floor www.structuralplastics.com P.O. Box 1900 Newark, NJ 7102 Benchmaster all plastic display merchandisers to Cornelia, GA 30531 Ph: (973) 438-1000 Fax: (973) 438-1441 increase your sales potential! Come visit us on the Ph: (706) 778-1199 Fax: (706) 776-7269 www.idt.net Concept Show Floor to see the different confi gura- Txt-N-Save Text Message Marketing Program pro- tions of display merchandisers we carry. www.supermarketbank.com In 1984, Financial Supermarkets, Inc. became the vides an unique opportunity to communicate directly with your best customers. An innovative, fun, low CheckAGAIN fi rst company to license the supermarket banking concept. FSI contracts with fi nancial institutions, cost marketing solution that delivers your message 950 Herndon Pkwy. Suite 400 supermarkets, and retailers to design, construct, and directly to your customers with a 95% read rate! Herndon, VA 30170 train in-store fi nancial centers. FSI offers the indus- National Cooperative Bank (NCB) Ph: (800) 666-5222 try’s most highly regarded in-store sales training. 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 800 www.checkagain.com CheckAGAIN’s complete check management ser- FMS, Inc. Arlington , VA 22202 Ph: (703) 302-8876 Fax: (703) 647-3478 vices streamline NSF check processing, simplify 8028 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 212 www.ncb.coop accounting and dramatically reduce bank fees. Pasadena, MD 21122 One of the nations leading fi nancing partners to gro- Ph: (877) 435-9400 Fax: (410) 761-9237 cery wholesalers and their members and customers. Customer Impact, LLC www.fmssolutions.com 3000 Research Forest Dr., Suite 110 FMS is the N.G.A.’s preferred provider of industry Orion Energy Systems Inc. The Woodlands, TX 77381 benchmarking, best practices and mission-critical 2001 Mirro Drive Ph: (281) 602-8300 Fax: (281) 602-8406 decision support. FMS transforms historic accounting Manitowoc, WI 54220 www.customerimpactinfo.com activities into accurate and timely decision tools. Ph: (800) 660-9340 Fax: (877) 204-6911

30 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special It’s like a store... for your store. From retail systems to sanitation. From merchandising to marketing. We have what you need to run a profitable store.

Want to know more? Call Gary Bickmore at 952.844.1310 or Roger Nelson at 952.857.4169 You can also visit: www.nashfinch.com/services.html RESOURCES www.oriones.com FAMILY BUSINESS & INDUSTRY RESOURCES Orion Energy Systems Inc (Nasdaq:OESX) is a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufac- Arizona State University Portland State University tures, and implements energy management systems, Morrison School of Agro-Business School of Business Admin.; P.O. Box 751 consisting primarily of high-performance energy effi - 7001 E. Williams Field Rd. Bldg. 2 Portland, OR 97207 cient lighting systems and controls for commercial and industrial customers. Mesa, AZ 85212 Ph: (503) 725-5699 Ph: (480) 727-1570 (480) 727-1961 www.foodLEADERship.pdx.edu ProLogic www.asu.edu 1600 West Bloomfi eld Road Retail Survey Group (RSG) Bloomington IN, 47403 Ecrio One Dupont Street Ph: (800) 762-9798 Fax: (812) 389-8384 20450 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 250 Plainview, NY 11803 ProLogic is dedicated to helping retailers and whole- Cupertino, CA 95014 Ph: (516) 516-6200 salers maximize their income from their coupon busi- Ph: (408) 366-7900 Fax: (408) 366-8817 www.rsg.com ness. With our automated process, we expedite the www.ecrio.com RSG is a leading provider of customer and employee sorting of coupons, invoicing of manufacturers, and New MoBeam Key device lets shoppers carry loyalty feedback systems to grocery retailers. From Inde- payment to the retailer and wholesaler. cards, coupons, and gift cards on one handy digital pendent operators to major chains, our clients trust device. It stores fi les from a PC using the built-in RSG to provide information that is both actionable Retail Optimization Inc. mini USB connection. A tiny light then “beams” a and cost effective. 139 Orange St. Suite 201 specifi c fi le at checkout; laser scanner recognizes SIAL Montreal 2009 New Haven, CT 6510 the beamed barcode as it would a printed barcode. c/o IMEX Management Ph: (203) 902-1422 Grocery Headquarters www.retailoptimization.com 4525 Park Road, Suite B-103 Retail Optimization Inc. provides predictive optimiza- 333 Seventh Avenue, 11th Floor Charlotte, NC 28209 tion analytics to determine the most profi table levels New York, NY 10001 Ph: (704) 365-0041 Fax: (704) 365-8426 of product selection, category space and inventory Ph: (212) 979-4800 Fax: (646) 674-0102 www.sialmontreal.com investment while enhancing shopping experience. www.groceryheadquarters.com SIAL Montreal 2009 is an annual international food The leading monthly supermarket magazine, focus- and beverage exhibition that takes place April 1 - 3, Shazam, Inc. ing on merchandising and marketing trends. It’s goal 2009 in Montreal, Canada attracting over 550 exhib- 18947 Westwood Place is to help retailers maximize sales and profi ts. itors and 12,000 visitors from 60 countries. Dallas, TX 75287 Ph: (972) 407-9079 Fax: (972) 248-2672 MyWebGrocer Saint Joseph’s University www.shazam.net 354 Mountain View Drive, Suite 350 Dept. of Food Marketing: 5600 City Ave. Shazam Merchant Services include: credit and debit Colchester, VT 5446 Philadelphia, PA 19131 card acceptance, gift card programs, EBT, terminal Ph: (802) 857-1237 Fax: (502) 764-1344 Ph: (610) 660-1607 (610) 660-1604 service and deployment. www.mywebgrocer.com www.foodmarketing.sju.edu/executive/ MyWebGrocer was one of the fi rst on-line services Supermarket News Talent Plus, Inc. for retail grocers. Today they lead the industry by gen- One Talent Plus Way erating profi ts for clients using proprietary technolo- 249 W. 17th Street Lincoln, NE 68506 gies with proven results. MyWebGrocer acquires & New York, NY 10011 Ph: (800) 827-7489 Fax: (402) 489-4156 retains customers services including website design Ph: (212) 204-4338 Fax: (913) 514-9272 www.talentplus.com and development, on-line grocery shopping, www.supermarketnews.com Successful stores begin with the right people. We Natural Food Network Magazine Supermarket News is the only nationally circulated, partner with clients to help select and develop more weekly trade magazine edited for executive deci- like your best throught The Science of Talent®. 1233 Howard Street Suite 2-I sion-makers in the food industry. Executives use San Francisco, CA 94103 SN’s coverage as their primary information source TruGrocer Federal Credit Union Ph: (415) 889-5063 Fax: (415) 817-1223 for industry news, trends, and product features. 501 E. Highland Street www.naturalfoodnet.com University of Alabama Boise, ID 83707 Natural Food Network magazine business insight for Ph: (208) 385-5259 Fax: (208) 385-5290 Natural and Organic Buyers. 870225 Management & Marketing www.trugrocer.com Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Employee benefi t providing a wide range of free and Ph: (205) 348-8922 (205) 348-6695 low cost fi nancial services to grocery and supermar- www.cba.ua.edu ket employees. Masters Education in Marketing (9 Months) Universal Promotions Inc. 3561 Valley Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15234 (412) 831-8423 (412) 831-9353 SECURITY www.universal-promotions.com FOOD SAFETY & SECURITY Since 1980 Universal Promotions has provided turn- key marketing and promotional programs to super- ACR Systems DayMark Safety Systems markets. Universal is the proud provider of “register 122 N. Jefferson Street 12830 S. Dixie Hwy. tapes for education” and other exclusive promotions Jacksonville, FL 32204 Bowling Green, OH 43402 programs. Ph: (800) 747-9772 Fax: (904) 525-7993 Ph: (419) 283-9646 www.acrretail.com www.daymarksafety.com ACR Systems is a software development company Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, DayMark Safety specializing in POS, Open Platform Self Check-Out, Systems, the complete Safety Source, is the leader Business Management and i-IM (In-Store Interactive in personal and food safety systems. Since 1989, Marketing). The ACRChoice POS uses Linux based DayMark, the number one manufacturer of food servers driving the latest Thin Client Technology & rotation labels, leads the development of cutting peripherals. ACR Systems has been in business for edge technology and products delivering safety sys- over thirty years with 7,000 plus store installations. tems, solutions and savings to our customers.

32 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special DEB SBS Inc. Reusable recycleable shopping bags and related Household plastics, hardware and cleaning supplies 110 S. Hwy 27 fi xtures for retail. Currently the exclusive vendor for supermarkets and related retail. A full range of Stanley, NC 28164 for 2 retail chains with over 2,000 stores as well private label and controlled label products that are Ph: (704) 263-4240 Fax: (704) 263-9601 as supplying other outlets in the U.S. and Canada. brand equivlent. Lines include single and multi-pack IMG is not a broker; we have ownership and con- food storage containers, general storage plastics, www.debsbs.com trol of the entire process from manufacturing to cleaning supplies for home and auto, and a wide Global manufacturer of high quality skin care prod- delivery. range of disposable wipe products for cleaning and ucts for the food industry. personal care. FoodLogiQ, LLC InStore Products USA, Inc. Revionics Inc. 5181 Everest Drive Suite 400, 1007 Slater Road 4208 Douglas Blvd. #300 Mississauga, Ontario CN LW2R2 Durham, NC 27707 Granite Bay, CA 95746 Ph: (905) 625-6488 (905) 625-2235 Ph: (919) 280-1024 Fax: (919) 287-2215 Ph: (916) 797-6051 Fax: (916) 797-6081 www.foodlogiq.com www.greenbox.com InStore Products is a leader in designing and man- www.revionics.com Leading provider of on-demand food safety and Revionics Advanced Pricing Systems (RAPS) traceability systems for grocers, restaurants, food ufacturing unique products, programs and systems that support the global grocery industry. generate increased sales and profi ts through companies, and produce associations. sophisticated consumer demand intelligence and Hygiena Paper or Plastic? proprietary retail pricing science. Available to retailers as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription 941 Avenida Acaso 242 Palm Drive over the Internet. Camarillo, CA 93012 Piedmont, CA 94610 Ph: (805) 388-8007 Fax: (805) 388-5531 Ph: (510) 506-9882 Rubbermaid Commercial Products www.hygiena.net www.paperorplasticmovie.com 7808 Heaton Way A leader in developing and supplying rapid food safety “Paper or Plastic?” is a fun, award-winning fi lm that Nashville, TN 37211 tests to the food and beverage industry. Products being stars eight state champions from across the U.S. Ph: (800) 347-9800 Fax: (800) 332-3291 featured at the Super Market Synergy are the system working to win the N.G.A.’s Best Bagger competition www.rubbermaidcommerical.com sure plus rapid ATP Hygiene Monitoring System, pro- in Vegas. Rubbermaid Commercial Products is a manufac- clean-rapid protein test and insite-listeria. turer of durable products, with best-in-class quality IMG PTS and innovation. Our core product portifolio seg- 5257 Warner Avenue 5267 Warner Avenue ments are utility waste, decorative waste contain- Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Huntington Beach, CA 92649 ers, cleaning products, material handling, safety Ph: (714) 840-0742 Fax: (510) 315-3224 Ph: (714) 840-0742 Fax: (510) 315-3224 and foodservice.

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 33 ORGANIC S4i SCS is a leading independent provider of certifi - NATURAL & ORGANIC FOOD 5555 Corporate Exchange Court SE cation, auditing and testing services. Since 1984, Grand Rapids, MI 49512 we’ve worked closely with growers, distributors, Alvardo St. Bakery Ph: (616) 658-2010 Fax: (616) 698-1247 wholesalers and retailers to recognize outstanding 2225 So. McDowell Blvd. leadership in food safety, pest management, fl avor, Petaluma, CA 94954 www.s4i.net and nutrition. S4i is an Energy Star product and service provider Ph: (707) 283-0300 Fax: (707) 283-0350 serving the supermarket industry, S4I manufactures Winland Electronics, Inc. www.alvaradostreetbakery.com and distributes Nuelight LED lighting for all retail Alvarado Street Bakery produces the fi nest organic applications. S4i is lighting the way to greener retail- 1950 Excel Drive sprouted wheat breads, bagels, buns, tortillas and ing through proprietary LED and refrigeration energy Mankato, MN 56001 pizza breads. Certifi ed kosher pareve and organic by technologies proven to cut energy costs up to 65%. Ph: (800) 635-4269 Fax: (507) 387-2488 QAI. www.winlandsecurity.com SCS - Scientifi c Certifi cation Systems Winland Environmental Security designs and National Meat Association 2200 Powell Street #725 manufactures EnviroAlert® products to monitor 1970 Broadway, Suite 825 Emeryville, CA 94608 temperature/water/humidity. These products are Oakland, CA 94612 Ph: (510) 452-8000 Fax: (510) 452-8001 used to meet HAACP regulations in monitoring Ph: (510) 763-1533 (510) 763-6186 www.scscertifi ed.com coolers/freezers for storage of perishable products. www. Nmaonline.org FRESH&PREPARED FRESH & PREPARED FOODS

Barnie’s Coffee & Tea Company Creekstone Farms Premium Beef Kraft Foods 2126 W. Landstreet Rd., Suite 300 604 Goff Industrial Park Road Three Lakes Drive Orlando, FL 32809 Arkansas City, KS 67005 Northfi eld, IL 60093 Ph: (407) 854-6600 Fax: (407) 854-6601 Ph: (620) 741-3100 Fax: (620) 741-3195 Ph: (847) 646-4174 www.barniescoffee.com www.creekstonefarms.com www.kraftfoods.com Barnie’s Coffee & Tea Company - An excellent Comprehensive line of fresh, frozen, and value added Visit Kraft on the concept show fl oor and learn how selection of specialty coffees. Many flavors premium Black Angus Beef. A single source of to delight customers with affordable meals that and varieties available. Santa’s White Christmas both premium, conventional black angus beef and families will love, using the Kraft American brand Coffee - Best Seller! Holiday Shipper Special- national black angus beef. Creekstone Farms Natu- icons they trust and have trusted for more than a ists! ral Black Angus in a never-ever program with no hor- century. Learn how you can be as inspired by cus- Basket Ease mones, no antibiotics, and a 100% vegetarian diet. tomers as we are, to deliver delicious foods that fi t the way they live. 16150 Texas Ave. CybrCollect, Inc.-TranFusion Prior Lake, MN 55372 2350 South Avenue, Suite #105 Ph: (952) 447-3168 Fax: (800) 447-3178 LaCrosse, WI 54601 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association www.basketease.com Ph: (608) 787-5600 Fax: (608) 787-8419 9110 East Nichols Avenue, Suite 300 The Basket Ease 4-step program makes assem- www.tranfusion.com Centennial, CO 90112 bling fruit baskets fast and easy. Our containers True back offi ce conversion for today’s independent Ph: (303) 674-0305 Fax: (303) 799-1844 are made in patented design especially for fruit grocer. With TranFusion,™ you will not only enjoy www.beef.org baskets, but work great for all gift baskets. They’re the benefi ts of BOC - you will also reap the benefi ts A non-profi t organization working with cattle and available in plastic, wicker and a new economical of next day access to 100% of funds and a fully inte- beef producers to enhance the business climate and bamboo. grated back-end collection that is second to none. build consumer demand for beef. Beaumont Products Inc. For Dummies Wine Collection 1560 Big Shanty Drive 13506 Tupts Place Naturally Fresh, Inc. Kennesaw, GA 30144 Tampa, FL 33626 1000 Naturally Fresh Blvd. Ph: (770) 514-9000 Fax: (770) 514-7400 Ph: (813) 507-1086 Fax: (888) 323-3808 Atlanta, GA 30349 www.citrusmagic.com www.winebusiness.com Ph: (404) 765-9000 Fax: (404) 765-9016 Manufacturers of leading natural product Karadeci Group LLC, proudly presents the For Dum- www.naturallyfresh.com brands, citrus magic, clearly natural, and veggie mies Wine Collection. Exclusive “For Dummies” Our 24 distribution branches nationwide deliver wash. Wine concept featuring Private Labels from around our all-natural, preservative free refrigerated the world. dressings, sauces, dips, marinades, and seven Cooks Kitchen unique organic salad dressings in packaging P.O. Box 1222 Gold’n Plump Poultry ranging from 3/4 oz. portion control cups, 16 oz. Ashland, OR 97520 4150 2nd Street, Suite 200 retail jars, gallon containers, and 2500 pound Ph: (541) 535-3663 Fax: (541) 535-3663 St. Cloud, MN 56301 totes. www.cookskitchen.net Ph: (320) 251-5600 Fax: (320) 240-6250 Cooks Kitchen manufactures beautiful portable www.goldnplump.com Sushi With Gusto demonstration kitchens for in-store cooking, Gold’n Plump Poultry, a leading provider of premium 308 West Poinsett Street classes, demo, and tastings. Easy to assemble quality chicken, now offers two distinctive brands and breakdown, our professional kitchens are for today’s most loyal, profi table consumers: Gold’n Greer, SC 29650 self-contained and come with everything you will Plump®: Family farm raised and NEW! Just BARE™. Ph: (864) 989-0178 Fax: (864) 879-9524 need to teach your customers how to prepare A higher standard of all natural with no antibiotics, www.sushiwithgusto.com delicious dishes using ingredients found in your no animal by-products and traceable, transparen, Sushi grab and go packages made fresh daily on store. leakproof packaging. site.

34 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special SPECIALTY SPECIALTY & ETHNIC FOODS

GNS Foods, Inc. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Inc. Texas Tamale Co. 2109 E. Division Street 1550 Shields Drive 9087 Knight Road Arlington, TX 76011 Waukegan, IL 60085 Houston, TX 77054 Ph: (817) 795-4671 Fax: (817) 795-4673 Ph: (800) 525-7873 Fax: (847) 578-1570 Ph: (713) 795-5500 Fax: (713) 795-5534 www.gnsfoods.com www.nielsenmassey.com www.texastamale.com Private label 3 oz. bags, 8 oz. bags, 16 oz. bags, 1 lb. Makers of the fi nest pure vanilla extracts, pastes, Gourmet line of frozen tamales, homestyle chili and tubs, pecan logs, peanut logs, pecan pralines, pecan pwders and pure fl avor extracts since 1907. Family- chili con queso. Full line of grilling sauces and chewys, pecan divinity; bulk and packaged items. owned and operated in the U.S.A. salsas. Guittard Chocolate Company Nutorious, LLC The Seasoned Palate 10 Guittard Road 2057 B Bellevue Street 5107 Springlake Drive Burlingame, CA 94010 Green Bay, WI 54311 Baltimore, MD 21212 Ph: (650) 697-4427 Fax: (650) 652-4680 Ph: (877) 688-6746 Fax: (866) 703-6595 Ph: (443) 986-0475 Fax: (410) 435-8846 www.guittard.com www.nutoriousnuts.com www.tspspices.com Ever since Guittard Chocolate Company opened All natural whole nut snacks or nut piece toppings Organic spices in pre-measured, freshly sealed, one- in 1868, we’ve been committed to quality. Today, that are simple blends of walnuts, almonds and teaspoon packets. These packets are retailed in car- Guittard still retains it’s sophisticated “old world pecans in a variety of confections. tons of 4, and are available in 32 spice and herb fl avor”. Rising Sun Farms varieties. NASFT 5126 S. Pacifi c Highway Viola’s Gourmet Goodies 120 Wall Street Phoenix, OR 97535 P.O. Box 351075 New York, NY 10005 Ph: (541) 535-8331 Fax: (541) 535-8350 Los Angeles, CA 90035 Ph: (800) 627-3869 Fax: (212) 482-6459 www.risingsunfarms.com Ph: (323) 731-5277 Fax: (323) 731-6898 www.nasft.org Rising Sun Farms award winning line of natural www.violasgourmet.com The NASFT is a not-for-profi t trade association that gourmet products features superb and top-quality Viola’s Gourmet Goodies is a line of extraordinarily represents 3,070 manufacturers, importers, distribu- ingredients. Products include cheese tortas, cheese delicious Jalapeño Jelly, Baja and California Rel- tors and retailers of specialty foods and is the owner tortettes, organic pesto sauces, and balsamic driz- ishes, Hollywood Zinger and Pacifi c Rim Shot Sauces. of the Fancy Food Show. zles. Glass containers.

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 35 DESIGN & TECH STORE DESIGN & TOMORROW’S TECHNOLOGY

Advanced Wireless Communication Coinstar, Inc. www.eliasoncorp.com 20809 Kensington Blvd. 1800 114 Ave. SE Eliason Easy Swing Traffi c Doors are used in sales/ Lakeville, MN 55044 Bellevue, WA 98004 stock rooms and walk-in coolers. Save energy by Ph: (952) 469-0153 Fax: (952) 469-0170 Ph: (405) 943-8252 Fax: (405) 943-8030 using Eliason Econo Cover on open refrigerated display cases and our FCD door as a secondary in www.advancedwireless.com www.coinstar.com walk-in freezers. Custom Made. Since 1992, AWC has been a leader in the design and Offering a range of 4th Wall™ solutions for the intergration of wireless communications. We create retailers’ front of store consisting of self-service coin Fueland Inc. on-site wireless systems that help businesses com- counting, money transfer, electronic payment solu- 2651 Sagebrush Suite 112 municate more effectively. Two-way radios, headsets, tions, entertainment services and self-service DVD Flower Mound, TX 75028 batteries, wireless monitors, and paging systems. rental. The Company’s products and services can be Ph: (972) 899-3727 Agilence, Inc. found at more than 50,000 retail locations. Cross Marketing 200 Federal Street, Suite 32 Concept Communications Co. Itautec S.A. Camden, NJ 8103 380-A International Drive 1935 NW 87 Avenue Ph: (856) 366-1200 Fax: (856) 366-1205 Bolingbrock, IL 60440 Doral, FL 33172 www.agilenceinc.com Ph: (630) 889-8464 Fax: (800) 222-5265 Ph: (305) 925-4401 Agilence delivers a 50% reduction in cashier shrink www.cstore1.com www.itautec.com.br by combining item-level video synchronization and a For over 30 years Concepts Catalog has offered Itautec is focused on retail and banking automa- team of analysts to assist your loss prevention team. a wide range of marketing aids and operational tion, self-service and information technology, and Amerlux Lighting Solutions acccessories for convenience stores, service sta- offers complete hardware and software solutions. tions and fueling sites. 23 Daniel Road, East Itautec can develop personalized projects, produc- Fairfi eld, NJ 7004 Con-Tech Lighting tion, installation, integration, consolidation, man- 2783 Shermer Road agement, monitoring and maintenance, tailored to Ph: (473) 882-5010 Fax: (973) 882-2605 every technology needs. www.amerlux.com Northbrook, IL 60062 Amerlux designs and manufactures energy-effi cient Ph: (800) 728-0312 Fax: (847) 559-5522 Keeper Bags architectural-grade lighting solutions that utilize the www.con-techlighting.com 405 N. Oak Street latest in light source and electronic ballast technol- Manufacturer of L.E.D. and ceramic metal halide Inglewood, CA 90302 ogy, for supermarket, retail and commercial markets. lighting systems used to showcase produce, meat, Ph: (310) 677-8007 Fax: (310) 672-5863 APG Cash Drawer fl oral, wine, and other specialty departments. www.keeperbags.com 5250 Industrial Blvd. Cummins-Allison Corp. KSS Retail Minneapolis, MN 55421 852 Feehanville Drive 5505 Glenshire Drive, Ste. 100 Ph: (763) 571-5000 Fax: (763) 571-5771 Mount Prospect, IL 60056 Plano, TX 75093 www.apgcd.com Ph: (847) 299-9550 Fax: (847) 299-4940 Ph: (972) 733-0465 For over 30 years, APG has designed and delivered www.cumminsallison.com www.kssretail.com cash drawers with a variety of size, color, interface, Featuring The Money Machine at the Supermarket KSS Retail provides the leading real-time, self-lever- and integration options. Synergy Showcase, a self-service coin redemption ing price optimization solution full grocery, general Balance Innovations machine that drives customer traffi c and repeat visits and on-line retail. to your store. You own The Money Machine, so you 11011 Eicher Drive keep all service transacttion fees. Lind Design Inc. Lenexa, KS 66219 Design Services Group SUPERVALU 130-17 23rrd. Avenue Ph: (913) 599-1177 Fax: (913) 599-1179 College Pt., NY 11356 6533 Flying Cloud Drive #100 www.balanceinnovations.com Ph: (715) 463-1100 Fax: (718) 462-0075 Eden Prairie, MN 55384 Our patented VeriBalance software integrates with www.linddesign.com the POS and automates cash offi ce practices, ensur- Ph: (952) 914-5670 Fax: (952) 914-5644 Award winning supermarket store planners and ing tasks are accomplished more quickly and effi - www.designservicesgroup.com designers offering creative fi xture plans, lighting ciently. Other solutions including vbEPIX, which DSG designs and equips food stores of every format- design, corporate identity programs, brand develop- addresses Back Offi ce Conversion; vbForecast, which everywhere. DSG provides Store Planning, Interior ment, customer signage, product graphics, exterior provides detailed cash forecasting information by Design & Décor. Architecture & Engineering, Proj- concept designs, décor fabrication and expert instal- denomination; and vbScout. ect Management and Equipment Procurement - all lation. focused on retail food stores. Banker Money Counter March Networks 5130 Kostoryz Road ECRS 303 Terry Fox Drive, Suite 200 Corpus Christi, TX 78415 277 Howard Street Ottawa, ON, CN Ph: (361) 854-7600 Fax: (361) 854-2314 Boone, NC 28607 Ph: (613) 591-8181 Fax: (613) 591-7337 www.moneycounterusa.com Ph: (828) 265-2907 Fax: (828) 265-0097 www.marchnetworks.com Currency counting equipment designed to increase www.ecrsoft.com Retailers can dramatically reduce inventory shrink accuracy and reduce labor costs. ECRS creates catapult point-of-sale and quickcheck and improve overall store performance with March BuyersVine, Inc. self-checkout automation solutions for grocery retail- Networks retail solutions, professional services and ers of all sizes. The ECRS retail framework links pos, store training. Hosted extreme exception reporting 3 Grant Square, #178 back offi ce, warehousing, inventory control, sup- Hinsdale, IL 60521 software together with industry-leading IP video plier integration and promotional management into survelillance and video analytics, delivers real-time Ph: (312) 388-0466 a single integrated solution. business intelligence for loss www.buyersvine.com BuyersVine provides a touch-screen based wine Eliason Corporation Market Basket Rewards, Inc. selector kiosk that helps your shoppers fi nd your P.O. Box 2128 1109 Rochester Road wines. It is proven to increase wine sales and Kalamazoo, MI 49003 Troy, MI 48083 improve customer service. Ph: (269) 327-7003 Fax: (800) 828-3577 Ph: (248) 589-6500 Fax: (248) 589-7729

36 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special Cosmetics

Deodorants

Shampoo

Conditioner

Styling Products

Hair Color

Personal Cleansing We’re in touch with your shoppers Hand & Body

Skin Care here, Hair Care here, Cleaning Systems

Dish Care

Fabric Conditioner

Hard Surface Cleaners there,

Laundry there and

Batteries

Blades & Razors

Electric Hair Removal

Small Appliances pretty much

Shave Preparation

Cold Remedies

Dental Floss Dentifrice everywhere Manual Toothbrushes

Powered Toothbrushes Tooth Whiteners they may go. Toothpaste

External Pain Management

Feminine Protection SHOPPER = Laxatives

Upset Stomach

Cat Nutrition

Dog Nutrition P&G products cover your store. So do our shopper insights. We conduct thousands of studies every year, in Salted Snacks 25-plus categories and at a total store level. Our research can answer key questions within your store – Who Coffee are your best customers? What are their needs? What do they think of your store? What’s the best way to Baby Wipes talk to them? How do you drive more trips to your store? – but it doesn’t end there. We’re also in touch with

Bath Tissue how shoppers react to in-store adjacencies that can increase market baskets or transaction sizes; and how

Diapers they choose our products in your store and use them at home. It all comes down to driving incremental sales

Facial Tissue and proﬁts exactly where you want to – everywhere in your store.

Paper Towels

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 37 www.mbrewards.com Thinking about pharmacy? QS/1 provides consulting www.storenext.com Recognize, engage and reward your customers with services to help you from initial design to grand StoreNext Retail Technologies LLC is the No. 1 sup- our reward programs, data management and elec- opening. Already have a pharmacy? QS/1’s phar- plier of retail technology to independent grocers tronic communications. Increase sales with our cus- macy software can increase your productivity. We’ve and regional chains: POS hardware, Retalix’s ISS45 tomized, dynamic and proven formula for success. been helping pharmacies for nearly 30 years. Come and ScanMaster POS software, Retailix Store and see what we can do for you. Retalix HQ, as well as Internet Connected Services Masonways Indestructible Plastics LLC RBS WorldPay for managing stores via Web-enabled applications. 580 Village Blvd. #330 Dedicated to meeting the needs of this wholesaler- 600 Morgan Falls Road, Suite 260 West Palm Beach, FL 33418 served market with packaged solutions that were Ph: (800) 837-2881 Fax: (561) 478-8775 Atlanta, GA 95746 previously available, affordable and practical only www.masonways.com Ph: (866) 580-7277 Fax: (916) 797-6081 for large chains. Leading manufacturer of heavy duty plastic displays, www.rbsworldpay.us RBS WorldPay is a leading, single-source provider of W.P. Sign Systems pallets, merchandisers, end caps, bases and dun- 2120 N. Park Drive nage racks, widely utilized in the retail industry for electronic payment processing services - including Centralia, WA 98531 food and non-food items. credit, debit, EBT, checks, gift cards, e-commerce, customer loyalty cards, fl eet cards, prepaid cards, Ph: (360) 736-8988 Fax: (360) 736-9114 Pakor, Inc. ATM processing and cash management services. www.wpsignsystems.com 6450 Wedgwood Road North, Suite 110 RBS WorldPay is the U.S. payment processing divi- POP, sign solutions and décor and design. Maple Grove, MN 55311 sion of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc. Your Retail Resources LLC Ph: (763) 551-8222 Fax: (763) 559-8886 Retail Optimization Inc. 9 Highland Place www.pakor.com 139 Orange St. Suite 201 Maplewood, NJ 7040 Pakor’s award-winning service and their value-added New Haven, CT 6510 Ph: (973) 378-8456 Fax: (973) 378-2524 qpproach allowed the company to emerge as the Ph: (203) 902-1422 www.yourretailresources.com leading supplier of high-quality photographic equip- www.retailoptimization.com YRR provides to independent retailers the service ment and supplies. The PictureStation™ touch- Retail Optimization provides predictive optimization payment to succeed in today’s competitive market- screen terminal is capable of reading a wide variety analytics to determine the most profi table levels place. Human Resoures: Business Planning; Family of media, and can output a large variety of sizes with of product selection, category space and inventory Business Consulting; Succession Planning; Financial available color connection and investment while enhancing shopping experience. Services - The Art to Hiring Smart. Pan-Oston Co. Salient Corporation 6944 Louisville Road 203 Colonial Drive Bowling Green, KY 42101 Horseheads, NY 14845 Ph: (270) 783-3900 Fax: (270) 783-3911 Ph: (607) 846-1415 Fax: (607) 739-4045 www.panoston.com www.salient.com FARMERS Pan-Oston Co.has been a leader in the development Salient helps retailers leverage their data to see FARMER GOES TO MARKET and manufacturing of innovation check-out, retail how their business is performing and identify ways millwork, and wood and metal retail solutions in to improve results in terms of pricing, assortment, the retail industry. Pan-Oston Co. operates in sev- planning, inventory, staff balancing and more. Food-Chain Communications eral market venues; including, grocery, retail fi xtures, 233 SW Greenwich Dr., PMB #164 convenience store, food service, self-scan checkout Saving America.Biz Lee’s Summit, MO 64082 software technology, and services. 4130 E. Van Buren, #140 Ph: (816) 863-8880 Phoenix, AZ 85008 www.foodchaincommunications.com Promolux/Econofrost Ph: (602) 299-6458 Fax: (480) 471-8250 Food-Chain Communications is a marketing fi rm P.O. Box 40 www.savingamerica.biz devoted to helping food-chain stockholders com- Whawnigan Lake, BC, CN ShopToCook municate more effectively within our modern food Ph: (800) 519-1222 Fax: (888) 417-1221 system. Farmer Goes to Market is desined to bring 165 Rano Street, Suite 100 www.promolux.com together two groups of Food-Chain members: the Buffalo, NY 14207 Promolux balanced spectrum, low radiation lights farmer who grows food and the retailer who sells it. Ph: (716) 362-3168 Fax: (716) 362-3170 set the standard in perishable food merchandising Tom Brown and are ideal wherever shelf life and naturally fresh www.shoptocook.com presentations are vital. Econofrost woven aluminum, A leading developer of Interactive Digital Customer Ann Burkholder heat refl ective night covers for open refrigerated Service solutions for retailers. ShoptoCook Answers™ Funded by The Beef Checkoff cases roll down at night and save energy and extend Software includes Product Locater, Price Check, Meal product shelf life. Planning, Produce Information, Wine Pairing, Recipe Liz Doornink Search, and Health & Wellness. Delivered via an John Gillespie PRS Pharmacy Services intuitive touch-screen interface. Canadian Cattlemen’s Association 201 Depot Street, Suite 200 Software 4 Retail Solutions Ken McCauley Latrobe, PA 15650 616 13th Street Suite 104 Ph: (724) 539-7820 Fax: (724) 539-1388 Aurora, NE 68818 Craig Rowles www.prsrx.com Ph: (402) 694-4400 Fax: (402) 694-4010 Bob Metz Since 1982, PRS has been providing comprehensive www.s4.com pharmacy services for new and existing pharmacies, S4 offers a complete suite of products for retail. including Pharmacist Recruitment, Marketing, Pre- S4Enterprise products: zone level price maintenance, scription Pricing, Pharmacy Operations Consulting, web portal, and local SQL data-warehouse. S4Instore HIPAA Compliance and Securtiy Programs, Site Eval- products: fl agship S4V6 the recognized leader in back- uations, Medicare Part D Fraud, Waste & Abuse Pro- offi ce, S4Shelf Image, S4Accounts Receivable, and gram. S4Mobile wireless products. S4EzScan POS systems QS/1 offers ease of use reliability. 201 West St. John Street StoreNext Spartanburg, SC 29306 6100 Tennyson Pkwy., Suite 130 Ph: (864) 253-8600 Fax: (864) 253-8690 Plano, TX 75024 www.qs1.com Ph: (972) 265-4800 Fax: (972) 265-4801

38 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special Our latest innovations are just the push your center store sales need.

Innovation is the fuel for growth in today’s competitive grocery environment. And no other company has a stronger track record for new product introductions than Kellogg’s. With 72 percent of your sales and more than 87 percent of your proﬁtsroﬁts ccomingoming ffromrom thethe center store*, you need Kellogg Company’s reputation for quality, ® innovative products to drive stronger sales and increased profit. See and learn more at centerstoregrowth.com

N.G.A.’s annual Creative Choice Awards Con- Advertising and merchandising are valuable tools for building test honors the best advertising and merchandising in the gro- your business and creating a point of differentiation in the cery industry. All entries were judged by a panel of industry marketplace. Used correctly, these tools will increase sales, experts, and winners were selected based on the creativity, enhance consumer loyalty, and strengthen customer enthusi- clarity and effectiveness of the entry. All winning entries will asm. Take this opportunity to learn from the best of the best. be on display in the Hall of Fame area during the convention.

The following entries were selected by the judges as the “Best of the Best” in advertising and merchandising. The Best of Show Award for Advertising and the Best of Show Award for Merchandising will be selected from these ﬁ nalists and announced at the Grocers Awards Reception. MERCHANDISING

BEST FRESH FOOD MERCHANDISING BEST PRIVATE LABEL EVENT “DICK’S MARKET WORLD RECORD ÉCLAIR” “MACEY’S BAGEL BONANZA” Dick’s Market — Submitted by Associated Food Stores Macey’s — Submitted by Associated Food Stores Dick’s Markets are famous for their éclairs at both of The bakery department of the Macey’s in Orem, Utah, their locations in Utah. The Centerville and Bountiful was looking to increase the bagel sales. To accomplish stores aimed to add “fi lling” to the Guinness Book the increase they were looking for, they decided to of World Records with éclairs for the ages and the give each bagel fl avor a name tied to U.S. history, result was two 6-foot éclairs that were “pudding” on giving the bagels more personality. To reemphasize this the impressive show, one at each store. With more important branding message, Macey’s produced ban- than fi ve pounds of smooth vanilla fi lling in each éclair ners, posters and other signage to encourage additional and at least half a pound of Dick’s Market’s legendary sales. Macey’s indicated that the Bagel Bonanza had a chocolate icing, these éclairs brought massive taste huge impact on the success of Macey’s bagel sales. to our guests. Dick’s Market indicated the world-record Sales continue to rise, not only for bagels, but for other éclair event was a tremendous promotional opportunity bakery items as for the stores’ famous bakeries. The event received well. coverage on three of the four local news stations, and stories ran in the state’s largest newspaper, as well. Customer counts were up during the promotion and sales were up 15 percent over the previous year.

40 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special BEST CHARITABLE CAUSE EVENT “PEACE JAM YOUTH PROJECT” Cub Foods Broadway — Submitted by SUPERVALU, Northern Region It never ceases to amaze what an effective collaboration can accomplish. This is where the magic of youth combined with the synergies of business, non-proﬁ t organizations, educators, faith-based organizations and the government and made it happen. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, paid a visit to Cub Foods — Broadway, took the stage and participated with the youth in the launch of his “Feed the Body, Feed the Mind, Feed the Spirit and Feed the Community” project. Fresh lunch boxes were distributed to a senior center behind Cub Foods as well as several other drop locations throughout the North Side community, to address the issue of hunger within it. Cub Foods — Broadway indicated that over 4,000 people were served, all by the youth.

BEST NUTRITION/HEALTHY LIVING EVENT BEST GENERATIONAL MARKETING “BLEND” “PRUETT’S PHARMACY MEDICARE COBORN’S, INC. PART D WORKSHOP” Pruett’s Food, Inc. BLEND is a communitywide collaborative effort between Coborn’s and regional hospitals and clinics, three area Senior citizens all over the school districts, United Way, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, country are struggling with YMCA and Daycare Centers, to raise the awareness of prescription costs. Many aren’t the ﬁ ght against childhood obesity. BLEND exists so chil- taking advantage of the Medi- dren in the greater St. Cloud area have the inspiration, care Part D prescription plans, motivation and integrated support systems necessary to so Pruett’s Pharmacy hosted develop healthy lifestyles and weight-management habits. an event where customers Four BLEND/Coborn’s Events were held in 2008: the Child- could ask questions and get care Pilot Program, the Earth Day Half Marathon Sponsor- information. Flyers were faxed ship, the Guinness World Records Parade of Bikes and the to local doctors and given out Family Dinner Night. Coborn’s indicated sales more than at the local senior center, to doubled on the coupon items for Family Dinner Night ad. get out the information on the Units sold tripled. upcoming workshop. Pruett’s also had bag stuffers and in- store posters to inform customers of the workshop. On the day of the workshop, computers were set up so they could assist customers on how to input their medications on the Medicare web site. Pruett’s Pharmacy indicated they helped over 30 customers review Medicare Part D insurance plans, and that some customers will be able to save as much as $500 a year on their medications. This event helped establish Pruett’s Food as a pharmacy where customers can get information to help lower their prescription costs.

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 41 ADVERTISING

BEST PRINT AD (CO-WINNER) “SAN JUAN VINEYARDS” Haggen Inc. As a northwest owned Grocer, Haggen proudly offers its guests many products that are locally grown or produced. Haggen dedicates two months in the summer to celebrate “Local Growers and Producers Appreciation” by featuring various local growers and producers in the media and the store. This ROP ran on Aug. 3, the beginning of Washington wine month. It featured a local, family owned winery, San Juan Vineyards, which highlighted their story of local commitment. Haggen indicated that after the ROP ran on August 3, it sold 45 bottles of San Juan Vineyard wines in targeted stores throughout Whatcom and Skagit Counties during the ﬁ rst week — ﬁ ve times the volume of the week before. Since then, Haggen has sold far more than projected for the whole year.

BEST NON-PRICE/CONSUMER VALUE PRINT AD BEST PUBLIC SERVICE CAMPAIGN “FAMILY FRESH MARKET GRAND OPENING” “LIVING WELL, EATING SMART CAMPAIGN” Family Fresh Market — Submitted by Nash Finch Co. Big Y World Class Market As a conversion project from a pre-existing store, The Living Well, Eating Smart Campaign is a consumer the introduction of the Family Fresh Market to focused marketing program aimed at helping customers Hudson, Wis., was a groundbreaking move for the use the products Big Y sells to follow a healthy lifestyle. Nash Finch Company. The concept combined supe- The campaign features a bi-monthly newsletter (in-store and rior perishable quality and service with an everyday online) that discusses products displayed as feature items value approach to the center store pricing program. for two weeks on the special Living Well, Eating Smart end Key perishables and/or health and wellness pro- cap. It has a distribution rate of 25,000 for each newsletter. grams were also heavily emphasized, with each Also included in the campaign is a bi-weekly Big Y circular ad, advertising vehicle and throughout the new store. weekly newspaper columns in various newspapers, email our Preview ads were direct mailed to the market for Dietitian at [email protected], where she has answered four weeks prior to the actual opening date, and 544 nutritional questions, a radio campaign about staying multiple “teaser” billboards, radio spots and news- healthy, a Supermarket Store Tour DVD with Health New paper ads were also used. Nash Finch indicated England and a Wellness Team the store opened to immediate success and accep- promotion with Dietitian and tance within the market by achieving comparable Nutritionist. Big Y World Class sales gains, compared to the prior store format, in Market indicated since Decem- excess of 40 percent. ber 2007, product evaluations have shown the average lift to be 70 percent, ranging all the way to 400 percent to 600 percent.

42 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special BEST CONNECTIONS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY “MY WESTERN FAMILY” Member Retailers of Associated Food Stores — Submitted by Associated Food Stores Western Family, the private-label brand featured by Associated Food Stores, took a unique approach to reaching new consumers and rewarding loyal customers. A primary component of the innovative campaign involved “webisodes” brief videos on the Internet created and produced entirely by the in-house marketing team at Associated Food Stores. Accessed from a new website, mywesternfamily.com, the sitcom-style webisodes featured the “Western” family and featured a Western Family item of the week in each episode for 13 weeks, allowing consumers to click on the item for a free coupon. The mywesternfamily.com campaign aimed to communicate with consumers between age 25 to 35 through the Internet and less traditional forms of media. Member retailers indicated the My Western Family campaign became one of their most successful branding initiatives. Over 37,000 visitors came to the site and the webisodes were watched more than 46,000 times on YouTube. Over 23,000 coupons for the Western Family Item of the Week have been redeemed.

BEST TELEVISION COMMERCIAL BEST ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN (CO-WINNER) “MAN SHOPPING CHALLENGE TV CAMPAIGN” “BYOB/BRING YOUR OWN BAG” Trading Company Stores — Submitted by Quinn Group Adv. Newport Avenue Market — Submitted by Every Idea Trading Company Stores, a ﬁ ve-store chain of traditional This colorful promotion consisting of print ads, e-news- grocery supermarkets, employed Quinn Group in January letter, in-store signage, bag 2007 to address its logo, brand and position. As it studied inserts and buttons, was the competitive landscape, it realized it could stand out in developed to create a the marketplace by targeting a very valuable market that mechanism for giving out a no one was paying attention to: Men! Through small focus one-time only order of eco- groups, Trading Company realized the message of acces- friendly bags and to encour- sibility, convenience and a straightforward yet humorous age customer sustainability approach was the key. The TV campaign “Man Shopping practices. The ﬁ rst step Challenge” was created. Trading Company Stores indicated was to create awareness that by determining the most effective TV programming to and desire for the “green” reach the target audience — March Madness and the Seattle bags. It was decided to Seahawks football game — it’s been enjoying the success feature the bags for one of double digit increases over the prior year. It has a solid week each month or until male shopper presence in each store. the bags were gone. The BYOB event was announced in the market’s monthly e-newsletter and in-store signage, and an end cap display was created to boost awareness of the promotion. Newport Avenue Market indicated the use of a memorable visual image and the bright store colors created a strong enough campaign that it has given away about 5,000 bags. The market is seeing about twice as many bags being reused since the free promotion of bags compared to the three months prior.

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 43 NEW PRODUCTS Look for these New Products during the Supermarket Synergy Showcase

VIGIL RECORDER from 3xLogic CHUNHA RED GINSENG Drink from SEDONA FROZEN YOGURT Granola Corp. allows you to record 360 B&H Commerce can be served warm Sandwiches from Blue Bunny feature degrees of high-defi nition, megapixel or cold. Suggested use is one to three creamy probiotic frozen yogurt with resolution video, permitting you to single-serve 90 ml packs daily. 100 fruit/fudge swirls sandwiched between reduce the number of cameras and percent natural — no chemicals or pre- two chewy honey oat granola wafers in get video quality that far surpasses servatives. two yummy fl avors, Double Strawberry standard surveillance video. and Double Chocolate. CHUNHA RED GINSENG Jelly Root 5-HOUR ENERGY® ORANGE gives and Slices: Entirely natural product you hours of energy without the crash makes an invigorating and recuperative or jitters. Powerful blend of B-vitamins snack. Whole slices can be chewed and and amino acids with zero sugar, only swallowed. No wrapper, no mess! four calories and just enough caffeine. ECONDO BASIC NANO line of light The Two-ounce shot takes seconds fi xture from Baero North America pro- to drink and in minutes you’re feeling vides the performance and fl exibility awake, alert and focused. that professional store merchandisers require today. Unique patented refl ec- tor technique ASPEN FROZEN YOGURT GRA- and horizon- NOLA BARS from Blue Bunny fea- tally mounted tures layers of creamy probiotic frozen lamp in a new yogurt with fresh fruit fi llings topped design. with crunchy granola pieces enrobed in a yogurt coating. Try the new Rasp- BETTER BAGS Produ2Klose Bags, berry Vanilla and Double Strawberry. Floral Bags, Side Gusset Produce BUYERS VINE WINE SELECTOR: A SERIES 1150 CASH DRAWER from Header Bags, 12x17 wine selector system for customers APG Cash Drawer takes up only 30 Header Bags looking for just the right bottle of wine percent of traditional cash drawer W/Sleeve: you sell. Customers use it on a touch space. Short 11.5 inch depth allows Prod2Klose bags for screen in your store as they search for it to be placed in the check-out down- cut veggies, Side wines based on grape, region, taste, stream of the scanner. Gusset Produce and 12x17 Header bags food or price. for bulk produce. OPTICA ADJUSTABLE TRACK FIX- Floral bags for cut TURE from Con-Tech Lighting incorpo- fl owers. rates the latest in high performance BROTHERS ALL NATURAL FRUIT optics with adjustability and CRISPS: A 100 percent all-natural energy effi ciency in mind. freeze-dried fruit snack gives custom- Available in 22 and 39 ers a product that is 100 percent fat watt lamp choices while free with no added sugar or preserva- featuring a ‘cool-to-the- tives, low in calories, and up to a one touch” adjustment PAJEDA’S® CORN CHIPS are per- year shelf-life. knob to change the fect for a brown bag lunch, a family beam distribution dinner night, or a get- from spot, to narrow together with friends. fl ood to fl ood. Die cast Tasty, crispy, crunchy, housing, vertical ballast compartment, and a great value! lockable, precision aiming adjustment We’ll show you can with 360º horizontal rotation and 180º offer shoppers more vertical rotation. for their money.

44 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special SCAN PAK SPEEDY RACKS from SELF CHECKOUT EPAYKIOSK from of merchandise. Utilizes a DoorMan- Crown Poly are compact multi-rack ECRS offers smaller, streamlined ver- ager which facilitates ease of installa- units with a minimum of three acces- sion of the ECRS Catapult Self-Check- tion and eliminates the need for two sible racks providing three open bags out solution. separate transmitters. within arm’s length. GUIDING STARS is THE NEW FASTPAY™ Coin-Redemp- the world’s fi rst tion Cash Dispense feature on storewide nutri- Cummins self-service coin machines tion navigation pays cash for redeemed system. The pro- coins on the spot. Cuts gram makes customer service healthy choices transaction simple by award- time, reduces ing one, two and fraud risk. You three star ratings. Now avail- own the JUST BARE™ Chicken from Gold’n able for licensing. machine, set Plump is nothing but all natural GUITTARD EXTRA DARK 63 percent the fee and chicken. No antibiotics. No added Chocolate Chip: Deep, rich chocolate keep the hormones. Cage free. Vegetable fed. taste great for cookies, brownies, money. Traceable to the family farm where cakes, etc. Clean, bold, rich chocolate raised. Cup-up items are fi xed-weight THE MARKET in Plymouth, MA, is fl avor baked by 140 years experience. scanable and packaged in clear, recy- a new 13,500 square foot upscale clable plastic trays. IMG’S HIGH RESOLUTION Image gourmet food store designed, engi- Showcase Reusable Bags feature a neered, decorated, planned, equipped THE PURCHEK® Loss Prevention unique coating which allows for full and project managed by Design Ser- Solution w/EventMonitor dramatically color, photo quality printing on all the vices Group. Vintage barn-style archi- reduces cart-based theft by preventing exterior surfaces. Present products, tecture and rustic décor. shoplifters from pushing out carts full special promotions or your corporate

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 45 image on a stylish, high visibility with or without touch KEMP’S SINGLES 6 ounce Fun Fla- medium, custom designed to your screen for both vors. Premium ice cream dripping with specifi cations. Available in a variety of the cashier and delicious toppings and inclusions and fabrics. the customer, or partnering with several major national a customer dis- brands in the single serve size! SYSTEM SURE PLUS-At P Hygiene play. Horizontal, Monitoring System from Hygiena ICEEBITZ 5 OUNCE CUPS. Water ice vertical or wall allows determination of the hygienic version of the tremendously success- mount. Six USBs status of sur- ful Kemps’ IttiBitz Pelletized Ice Cream and three serial con- faces within 15 that co-brands with the popular frozen nections. seconds. Used drink Icee in the Single Serve size! wherever rapid “FOR DUMMIES Wine Collection” 25 PERCENT LESS SODIUM detection of con- from Karadeci features a 14-by-20 Nature’s Seasons from tamination is foam board banner display. Two bot- Morton Salt. Custom critical or valida- tles of wine displayed in front of blend of ingredients tion of cleaning banner. including salt, pepper, effi ciency is nec- KEMP’S YOGURT PARFAIT Cups onion, garlic, celery, and essary. 6 ounce. Soft, smooth textured, parsley brings out the TXT-N-SAVE Text Message Marketing sweet and tangy frozen yogurt cups fl avor of lighter, fresher Program from IDT Retail provides an with unique fruits and toppings. All foods. innovative, fun, low cost marketing captured ORIGINAL solution that delivers your message in the MORTON SEASON-ALL now directly to your customers with a 95 emerging comes in a variety of sizes and percent read rate! single provides a balanced blend of serve PRIZIS from ITAUTEC is a new Point mouthwatering seasonings that size. of Sales terminal for checkout lanes. enhance the savory fl avor of Several confi gurations, options of LCD every dish.

46 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special MOUNTAIN HIGH COFFEE Company PHILMIN SEMI-GLACE gourmet RISING SUN FARMS award-winning blends now include sauces from Partran are low-sodium line of natural gourmet products fea- • Full Bodied fl avor and rich aroma heat-and serves in fi ve fl avors. tures superb fl avors and top-quality Heritage Blend ingredients. Products include Cheese • Bold, bright fl avored Caramba Blend Tortas, Cheese Tortettes™, organic for Espresso and Café con Lache Pesto Sauces, and Balsamic Drizzles • Coffee with Chicory blend NOLA Blend: A New Orleans tradition • NOLA Instant Coffee. NIELSEN-MASSEY PURE VANILLA PASTE. Pure paste containing vanilla bean fl ecks. Complemented by Pure CONNECTION™ from Retail Survey Vanilla Extract line and Gourmet Vanilla Group provides independent grocers Beans. Private label available. with a powerful and affordable tool to receive and respond to on going UTOPIA SELF-CHECKOUT has the PROAACTIVE proven energy saving feedback from customers. lowest self checkout attendant inter- polarized refrigerant oil additive from vention rates in the world — less than RUBBERMAID’S SAFE S4I is compatible with commercial 0 percent. Delayed Mediation Technol- ICE Handling System refrigeration and air conditioning sys- ogy™ and ergonomic design offers addresses the transfer of tems. Regains lost effi ciency in older the smart and simple technological ice between ice HVAC/R equipment by permanently approach to self-checkout. machine and hold- reversing oil fouling. Improve heat NEW NRX SERVICE PACK by QS/1 ers, promoting safe exchange in evaporators, condensers helps track and report pseudoephed- handling to reduce and reclaim systems. rine sales. Link to the MethCheckRx risk of cross contami- web portal to comply with federal, nation. state and local laws.

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 47 VANTIUM LED Largo refrigerated friendly, bio- or transmitters when programmed case lighting series is specifi cally degradable, limits have been exceeded. designed for open multideck food compostable, NEW FROM ZEP INC.: retail cases. Models for canopy and sustainable • Biofi lm Purge drain treatment under-shelf applications. tabletop and product home paper SMART-SPICE: Organic spices in • Green Link environmentally friendly products. Made pre-measured, freshly sealed, single cleaners and sanitizers from sugar use packages from The Seasoned • ProVisions sanitation portfolio spe- cane and corn Palate. Innovative, convenient packag- cifi cally for grocery segment. starch, not trees and petroleum. ing ensures fresh, full strength fl avors. CLEARVIEW “YOUR LIST” sign sys- In eye-catching stackable boxes of 4 ENVIROALERT® EA800 from Win- tems from WP Sign is a stock, yet packets. land Environmental Security simultane- custom service case sign solution. ously monitors up to eight zones for PORK WITH BEEF GOURMET Available in Meat, Deli, Seafood, temperature, humidity, water detection TAMALES from Texas Tamale Co. Bakery and Floral, preprinted sign and power failure. Data temperature combine pork and beef blended with has your logs can be downloaded on-demand savory spices encased in fl avorful items digi- via USB. Can activate alarms, dialers masa and wrapped in a traditional tally printed corn husk. on the front and PLU’s FINANCIAL SERVICES and Products on the back from TruGrocer Federal Credit Union offer an employee Benefi t providing a wide range of free and low cost fi nancial services. ULTRA GREEN Home and Tabletop Tree-Friendly Paper Products: Earth-

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48 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special FARMERS Both Ends of the Food Chain Can Reconnect

“The groceryman is, of course, between the farmer and grocer. The reasons for this separation the bridge between the farmer and the con- are many. Here are just a few: ■ sumer, and as such must be acquainted with Consolidation the desires and the needs of both.” Both farming and grocery retailing have experienced intense President Dwight D. Eisenhower, consolidation, leaving fewer in the business. Fewer people June 16, 1954 naturally means fewer opportunities for interaction. ■ A generation detached from the farm When President Eisenhower addressed those The last generation of Americans have lost ties with the farm. words to the National Association of Retail They therefore have little knowledge of today’s food produc- Grocers more than half a century ago, the ing methods and techniques. chances were fairly high that a grocer personally ■ Farms geographically relocating knew a farmer. More than 4.8 million farmers in the United Farms have relocated away from population centers. Day-to-day States farmed 1.2 billion acres of land. Today, just 2 million contact with retailers and consumers is almost non-existent. farmers operate on 930 million acres. That’s 60 percent fewer ■ A more complex food-chain farmers producing food from 25 percent less land! The number of people who touch a product on its path to The United States farmer has become increasingly efﬁ cient the consumer has become more complex. More people now and fruitful during those years, enabling grocers to offer an inhabit the space between the farmer who produces food and abundance of food products to consumers. However, at the the grocer who sells it. For example: One estimate says it now same time productivity has gone up, communication has gone takes as many as 56 companies to produce one can of chicken down. There now exists a gulf, or a form of “separation anxiety” noodle soup! Continued on page 50

The Farmer Grows Increasingly Scarce The cost of separation: The information vacuum that has been created by separation between farmers and grocers has 3.5 A Snapshot of the Livestock 1954 increasingly been ﬁ lled by political activists. 2008 Many of their messages can be sensation- Farming Sector comparing today with 1954 demonstrates the drastic 2.5

alized, inaccurate and a direct threat to Million Farms sales of store perimeter items that repre- changes that have occurred. sent food marketers’ higher margin items. 1.5 IN THE MILK CASE ■ 2.8 million fewer dairy operations 0.5 ■ 14 million fewer dairy cows Dairy Farms Beef Cattle Hog Farms ■ 59 billion more pounds of milk pro- Farms duced 70 1954 2008 IN THE MEAT CASE 50

BEEF Million Animals ■ 450,000 fewer beef cow operations 30 ■ 8 million more beef cows ■ 14 billion more pounds of beef grown 10

PORK Dairy Cows Beef Cows Pigs ■ 2.5 million fewer pork operations 180 ■ 1954 11 million more hogs and pigs 2008 ■ 3 billion more pounds of pork 140

Billion Pounds 100 These ﬁ gures reveal that the United States farmer has become increasingly 60 efﬁ cient and productive, enabling gro- 20 cers to have an abundance of food prod- Milk produced Beef produced Pork Produced ucts to offer consumers. But has there been a cost?

2009 Buyer’s Guide Special • for the independent 49 Come Meet the Farmers

CRAIG ROWLES is a partner and general manager of Iowa’s Elite Pork Partner- ■ Industrialization/specialization the grocer will equip himself to be an ship, an 8,000-sow farm that raises about As the nation became more industrial- indispensable link in the food chain. He’ll 140,000 pigs from birth to market each ized, each member of the food chain be able to talk confi dently on issues like year. A veterinarian, he practiced for retreated into his own hormones, antibiot- 14 years before becoming a farmer. He segment. Communica- ics, animal welfare, has been active in promoting effi cient tion and understanding biotechnology. Con- pork production technologies, maintaining of what other parts of tact with a farmer will Iowa’s pork industry leadership and the chain were experienc- also help the grocer see strengthening rural development. ing was often hindered. through errant claims about what’s happening LIZ DOORNINK, is a Wisconsin wife, FILLING THE VOID on today’s farms and to mother, and passionate dairy farm advo- Many have stepped up to stem the tide of fear mar- cate. Growing up in New York City, she fi ll that communication gap. keting. For food consum- never understood where her food came New magazines, web sites, ers looking to fi nd the from until she met and married a fi fth-gen- Farmer a television network, reality answers about their food eration dairy farmer. Today, she considers goes to cooking shows and weight concerns, the grocer will it her mission to help your consumers loss programs are clamoring Market become the indespensible better understand the technologies that Reconnecting Farmers and Retailers. for consumers’ attention. Add source. allow her to care for animals, employees, to this barrage activists and marketers the environment and the community. who fervently work to disseminate misin- INTRODUCING FARMER GOES JOHN GILLESPIE and his family grow formation about food in an attempt to TO MARKET soybeans, corn, wheat, alfalfa and beef profi t or further their own agenda. To help shortcut the long and intensive cattle in Ontario. He is actively involved The result is a confused consumer process of fi nding, meeting and recon- in the Beef Information Centre and other who feels the disconnect within the food necting with farmers, this year’s Concept organizations. chain and is searching for a trustworthy Show Floor introduces the Farmer Goes source on food and food related issues. to Market Pavilion. It is the only source TOM BROWN farms soybeans, corn and Evidence of their search can be found in the nation where independent retailers wheat with brother Randy, nephew Kyle in three of today’s most successful food can interact face to face with real, working and wife Susie. He family also owns a movements — Farmers Markets, Organic farmers and ask questions on the retailer’s birth-to-market hog operation and feed and “Locally Grown.” In the last 15 home turf. Farmer Goes to Market is cattle. years, farmers markets have increased designed to close the information gap 260 percent. Organic market share has and provide you with direct answers to ANN BURKHOLDER returned to tripled and “locally grown” became the common farm and food questions. Nebraska after graduating cum laude latest vogue statement. The consumer has If you’re attending the N.G.A. Annual from Dartmouth College to pursue a rewarded these movements with their Trade Show and Supermarket Synergy career as a beef cattle feeder. As presi- dollar in return for “re-connection.” Showcase, visit the Farmer Goes to dent of Will Feed Inc., a farm that readies So while grocers may have capitalized Market pavilion located in the center of cattle for market, Ann has been a vocal on some of these movements, they risk the show fl oor. Inside, you can ask a real advocate of the farmer’s obligation to missing the much larger opportunity — to life farmer the questions your customers steaily improve the quality of his animals claim (or, some would say “re-claim”) are asking you. Discuss the issues you’re on behalf of the consumer. As a result, their rightful position as the single, most concerned about. Get answers last year Ann was recognized by the trusted source on food! unfi ltered… direct from the best source. National Cattleman’s Association as the A collaborative effort between U.S. Beef Quality Producer of the Year. FIND THE ANSWERS Food-Chain Communications and the Grocers could capture this position National Grocers Association, the Farmer by — as Eisenhower advised a half century Goes to Market Pavilion will reestablish ago — seeking to be as familiar with the that connection between grocers and farmer as they have sought to be familiar farmers and begin the much-needed with the consumer. By growing in knowl- dialog many have lost. For information, edge about the farm and farm technology, go to www.FarmerGoesToMarket.com.

Don’t miss your chance to ask these real farmers and others your pressing questions about why they do what they do to raise your food products, from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 4 and 5.

50 for the independent • 2009 Buyer’s Guide Special VISIT CANADA’S COOL Education & TrainingBEEF INFORMATIONSymposiums COOL Label Development CENTRE AT NGA COOL Technical Information Learn about our COOL Solutions. COOL Compliant Printed Label Sample our delicious Canadian beef. Branded Programs Pick up copies of our FREE resources. COOLCOOL Compliant Supply Chain COOL Marketing StrategiesSolutions Trade in Beef Contributes to the World’s Largest Trading Relationship

Canada and the United States enjoy the world’s Canada’s Beef Information Centre can also assist U.S. largest trading relationship. Canada is the leading partner relationships in developing a supply chain export market for 36 of the 50 U.S. States, and that satisﬁ es your requirements. Our processing is ranked in the top three for another 10 States*. plants are modern, efﬁ cient and close enough to The U.S. continues to be the largest importer of provide timely and dedicated service to our valued Canadian agricultural products. customers in the United States.

Canada offers a wide variety of branded beef programs The Canadian beef industry is committed to working as well as market research to help determine the together with our U.S. trade partners to satisfy most relevant brand attributes to meet your needs. applicable Country-of-Origin Labeling requirements. Our services include customized meat case POS We are proud of the quality, safety and value that packages, marketing and merchandising support Canadian beef can provide to your meat business. as well as Partner Program funding assistance. For more information on Country-of-Origin Labeling requirements visit www.meatcool.info

* Source: US Commercial Service – United States Department of Commerce

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