FMI - OMEGA - West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association

President-elect Donald Trump’s successful campaign for the office of President was marked by its unconventional tenor and free-wheeling populist spirit that challenged the existing political protocols. As a result, his first 100 days in office will receive intense scrutiny. The more conventional minded on both sides of the aisle are wondering if he’ll temper his approach as he experiences the ways holding the office differ from running for it. And the populists who elected him will be watching to see if the unconventional candidate they supported maintains the fire in his belly that captured their imaginations.

The world still has two days before the new administration takes office, but the 115th Congress was sworn-in over two weeks ago. Republicans held on to majority control of both the House and Senate, and lawmakers reelected Paul Ryan (R-WI) as Speaker of the House, while Senate Democrats have a new leader in Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) following the retirement of Harry Reid.

As more companies evaluate supply chain initiatives to better meet the needs of consumers living in a digital world, it’s imperative that trading partners come together to engage in a synergistic supply chain transformation. The 2017 Supply Chain Conference offers trading partners the opportunity to collaborate, explore and discuss key areas of the supply chain, including fresh foods, transportation, regulatory, supply chain optimization and plenty of supply chain insights.

Food retail is sometimes referred to as a noble enterprise because it incorporates into a business entity the delicate art of serving communities by engaging people and providing them the food that nourishes their bodies and feeds their spirits. Today’s food retail persona results from the cumulative efforts of many visionary leaders who have shaped the industry and sculpted it into the high calling that it is.

When you’re in the kitchen trying to grow your culinary skills, you want to make sure you’re prepared with the right ingredients that will set you up for success. In a similar way, wholesalers and retailers spent 2016 cultivating their fresh prepared foods community that will deliver a prosperous 2017. Thanks to our members, the fresh foods community experienced tremendous growth this year; we introduced a new council, and a handful of new research and goals.