Celebrating Food Industry EPA GreenChill Award Winners

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

In a typical year, the FMI Energy & Store Development Conference would feature a special presentation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) GreenChill Awards, which celebrates leaders and innovators in the world of refrigerant management. The celebration of food retailers making major sustainability strides and adapting their store environments continues this year, just in a different format.

By: Marjorie DePuy, Senior Director, Supply Chain and Sustainability and Farleigh Lichstein, Director, Education FMI <div class="mg-image--circular" style="float: right; margin: 10px;"><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/photos-for-staff-use/freezer-section/20161208-fmi-1280_ed-web.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=a72e6c6e_2" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="20161208-FMI-1280_ed-WEB" title="20161208-FMI-1280_ed-WEB" /></div> In a typical year, the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/energy-and-store-development-conference">FMI Energy & Store Development Conference</a> would feature a special presentation of the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/greenchill/greenchill-environmental-achievement-awards">Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) GreenChill Awards</a>, which celebrates leaders and innovators in the world of refrigerant management. The celebration of food retailers making major sustainability strides and adapting their store environments continues this year, just in a different format. <h5>The GreenChill Program</h5> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/greenchill">GreenChill</a> is a voluntary partnership program between EPA and the food retail industry to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease stores’ impact on the ozone layer and climate system. GreenChill works to help food retailers: <ul> <li>Lower refrigerant charge sizes and eliminate leaks. </li> <li>Transition to environmentally friendlier refrigerants. </li> <li>Adopt green refrigeration technologies and best environmental practices.</li> </ul> There are currently 26 retailers representing 61 banners in the GreenChill program, as well as five refrigeration system manufacturers and six chemical producers. <h5>Making Real Change</h5> GreenChill has made real change with the average GreenChill partner emissions rate at 14.3%. <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-09/documents/greenchill-recognition-event-2020_1.pdf">EPA noted</a> on average, GreenChill partners are using about 30% less refrigerant in stores than in 2007. According to EPA, the potential impact of these changes is far-reaching, in the sense that if every U.S. supermarket met GreenChill Partner average emissions rate, the supermarket industry would: <ul> <li>Save more than $160 million in refrigerant replacement costs </li> <li>Reduce annual refrigerant emissions by: <ul> <li>30 million metrics tons carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2e). </li> <li>88 ozone depletion potential metrics tons.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h5>And the Winners Are…</h5> We’re pleased and honored to see so many FMI members recognized in this year’s EPA GreenChill Awards. The 2020 winners include Price Chopper, taking not only the Best Emissions Rate overall but the Most Improved Emissions Rate from baseline. Cook County Whole Foods Coop also won a Best Emissions Rate award. Meijer, Price Chopper, Weis Markets and Whole Foods Market achieved their annual GreenChill refrigerant emissions reduction goals and earned Superior Goal Achievement awards. Weis Markets also earned an Exceptional Goal Achievement by reaching its stretch goals. Meijer at Grand River Avenue took the Best of the Best award this year, while Aldi and Hillphoenix earned Store Certification Excellence awards for achieving the most GreenChill store certifications in the past year. Sprouts Farmers Market was back on the leaderboard with multiple locations along with Hannaford, Food Lion and Aldi for Store Recertification Excellence. Grocery Outlet was the newest GreenChill partner this year. <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-09/documents/greenchill-recognition-list-2020.pdf" class="button">All 2020 EPA GreenChill Winners</a>

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.