Consumers Are Weary. Foodservice Retail Programs Can Help.

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.

who frontpage

member frontpage

Join a Community that Champions, Connects, and Elevates!

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.

Food retailers can come to the rescue – as they have throughout this year’s pandemic – with solutions. In addition to being a resource for household staples and health and wellness products, retailers can provide ready-to-cook, ready-to-prepare and ready-to-eat offerings that make meals easier. Now is a good time to (once again) adapt and promote foodservice at retail programs as a solution for cooking fatigue and a different kind of holiday season.

By Rick Stein, Vice President, Fresh Foods, FMI <div class="mg-image--circular" style="float: right; margin: 10px;"><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/photos-for-staff-use/deli/fmi-12092014_263_web.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=8fe89a6f_2" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="FMI-12092014_263_WEB" title="FMI-12092014_263_WEB" /></div> As Americans brace for a challenging winter and once again spend more time at home, fatigue is setting in – and it isn’t just about the virus. Remember those early days of quarantine, when people were sharing photos of homemade breads, whipped coffees and hand-rolled pasta? You’re not seeing those as often since the thrill of cooking from scratch has faded. This comes at a time when holiday cookie season is normally ramping up and families would be doling out assignments for celebratory feasts. If there is less enthusiasm about cooking meals at home for different dayparts on multiple days of the week, there is also a somewhat dampened outlook for traditional holiday repasts and treats. Food retailers can come to the rescue – as they have throughout this year’s pandemic – with solutions. In addition to being a resource for household staples and health and wellness products, retailers can provide ready-to-cook, ready-to-prepare and ready-to-eat offerings that make meals easier. Now is a good time to (once again) adapt and promote foodservice at retail programs as a solution for cooking fatigue and a different kind of holiday season. The need for such assistance in the home kitchen is clear. According to FMI’s recent report, <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/power-of-foodservice-at-retail-2020">The Power of Foodservice at Retail</a>, consumers say the biggest challenge in food preparation and cooking at home is simply not being in the mood to cook. Another sentient that paves the way for retail foodservice solutions is the fact that nearly half (47%) of shoppers say that they have a hard time coming up with new meal ideas. To reach consumers who don’t feel like cooking, retailers can market their prepared food solutions and partial meal solutions as a restaurant might do, focusing on availability, variety and convenience in the form of easy in/easy out shopping, pickup or delivery. Packaged meals are appealing to shoppers, with <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/power-of-foodservice-at-retail-2020">The Power of Foodservice at Retail</a> research showing that 46% of shoppers like the idea of hot prepackaged foods and 31% prefer having meals in a prepackaged format rather than having store employees serve the food. In addition to full meals, retailers can give home cooks a lift in other ways. <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/power-of-foodservice-at-retail-2020">The Power of Foodservice at Retail</a> reveals that a majority of people (58%) are combining items they make from scratch with semi- and fully-prepared items, including sides and salads like bagged salads or re-heatable mashed potatoes. Making those items available and easy to find online or in-store makes a food retailer a go-to source. Retailers should feel confident in both the possible range of offerings and in their unique position. Retail foodservice programs have some definite advantages with consumers struggling with what to make for breakfast, lunch and dinner at home: families can buy meals for their household at a lower price point than many restaurants that offer carry out, for example.  In addition, shoppers can order or pick up other needed goods while taking care of meals, cutting down on errands and making their life easier. These benefits especially resonate during the holidays, when consumers are planning on smaller gatherings and seeking ways to alleviate stress. Whether it’s a turkey or prime rib roast to go, a platter of cookies or containers of heat-and-eat side dishes, retail foodservice items can alleviate consumers’ cooking fatigue and, along the way, improve a part of their life. That’s something shoppers will remember when 2021 rolls out in a hopefully different way. <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/power-of-foodservice-at-retail-2020" class="button">Download The Power of Foodservice at Retail</a>

Read full article on FMI

Menus

Some of the main menus of the template are now set via the template parameters saving you having to set up menu modules for each menu. From this section you can choose what menus you would like connected with these pre assigned menu areas of the template.

Copyright Information

Enter the copyright information that will appear in the footer area of your template.

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.