Missouri Grocers Association

Representatives of Missouri’s business community stand together against Prop A. This ballot initiative will raise the cost of dining out, grocery shopping, and visiting our local stores. Join the Missouri Grocers Association, along with Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Missouri Restaurant Association, Missouri Retailers Association, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and Associated Industries of Missouri, in voting NO on November 5.

Last week, Sheila Rinaberger and Heather Nickel introduced our newest business venture, enABLE Enterprises, and its' product offering to numerous grocers at the 2024 Missouri Grocers Association's trade show in The Lake of the Ozarks. We received an incredible response from the grocers and look forward to pursuing the opportunity to have our products included on the shelves of Harps Food Stores, Inc., Hy-Vee, Inc., Harter House Supermarket, Niemann Foods, Inc., and other grocers serviced by Associated Wholesale Grocers and create more employment for this of all abilities. enABLE, under it's brands' enABLE Bakehouse and The Smiley Face Cookie Company, is a women-owned business dedicated to provide meaningful career opportunities for those of all abilities in an integrated workforce.

We had a great time at the Missouri Grocer's Association Convention at the Lake of the Ozarks!

This past week, the Sustain-a-Plate team had the incredible opportunity to attend the Missouri Grocers Association Conference Trade Show in the Lake of the Ozarks. It was our first time showcasing our solution for alleviating manual inventory management to a large group of our target customers, and the feedback we received was invaluable—both positive and constructive. Key takeaways from the conference: 1. A Tight-Knit Community: The grocery industry is incredibly close. Many grocers are family-owned businesses with relationships that span generations. This tight-knit nature brings unique dynamics and emphasizes the importance of trust. 2. Diverse Competition: Our competitors aren't just software vendors. There are companies that provide physical inventory counting services, offering counting and reports as frequently as grocers need. Understanding this broader competitive landscape is crucial for us going forward. 3. Beyond Inventory Control: Inventory management is a complex challenge that extends beyond simply tracking stock levels. Accounts payable and other accounting factors are deeply intertwined with inventory. When goods arrive, it's crucial for grocers to verify that all quantities and information are accurate; otherwise, they risk financial discrepancies and may need to receive credits for incorrect deliveries. Many grocers recognize these issues but find it challenging to stay on top of them due to shrinkage and other operational hurdles. We realized that integrating these aspects into a comprehensive platform is essential, and we're excited to announce that features addressing these needs are coming soon. We were thrilled to see so much excitement around what we're doing, and we're looking forward to following up with many of the attendees this week. Overall, it was an amazing and eye-opening experience for our first conference! A huge shoutout to the incredibly welcoming MGA team and board of directors for ensuring everything went smoothly for us. We can't wait for next year!

Don Woods of Woods Supermarket was inducted into the Missouri Grocers Hall of Fame Thursday evening during the MGA President’s Gala. As a second-generation leader, Don, alongside his wife Joan, guided Woods Supermarket through remarkable growth and laid the foundation for a bright future. Their commitment and advocacy have left a lasting impact, strengthening Missouri's grocery industry for generations to come. Congratulations Don!

Always a favorite, the Wine and Cheese Reception was a great time. Thanks to Adam Puchta Winery for serving up some delicious wine and Hiland Dairy Foods for the tasty cheese.

MGA Trade Show Part 3

MGA Trade Show Part 2

🚨 What an incredible turnout! 🚨 The Trade Show at the MGA Convention was a huge success, featuring so many amazing products, services, tools, and resources. Thank you to all the exhibitors and attendees who made it such a memorable event! MGA Trade Show Part 1

On Thursday morning, Dan Shaul, the Missouri Grocers Association Executive State Director, was honored with the CBA Excellence in Government Affairs Award presented by Greg Costa from the Consumer Brands Association. This award recognizes Dan's dedication and impactful work in advocating for the grocery industry. Congratulations Dan! Well deserved!!