Photo Friday: A Visit to Mexico

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

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

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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.

Attendees of the ANTAD Expo were looking for solutions and new products to buy in the seafood, processed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, poultry, meat and snack foods food sectors. ANTAD attendees were also looking for food safety and quality solutions, as most of Mexico’s food and beverage producers have a global audience as well as a local one. This is where SQFI and the SQF Program come in.

By: Sarah Malenich, Senior Manager for Sales & Marketing, Safe Quality Food Institute This past week <a href="http://www.sqfi.com/">SQFI</a> exhibited at the <a href="http://www.expoantad.net/expo2016/">2016 ANTAD Expo</a> in Guadalajara Mexico. <a href="http://www.expoantad.net/expo2016/">ANTAD</a> is the largest Expo in Mexico for the retail sector and attracted over 25,000 people to the exhibit floor this year. This is Mexico’s <a href="http://www.fmiconnect.net/">FMI Connect</a>! Mexicans love to eat! The average household in Mexico spends about 25 percent of its income on food. In comparison, the U.S. is at 12 percent, while India and Spain are at 30 percent and 20 percent respectively. However, these numbers are largely determined by the level of per capita income in each country and not by the appetite of the citizens. Regardless, Mexicans love to eat! The rich and assorted Mexican fare is rooted in family and the tradition of gathering at meal time to converse and celebrate not only everyday living, but special events and milestones. Gathering for a meal is a huge part of the culture in Mexico, which is why Mexicans are ranked one of the happiest people in the world. It is also not surprising that more than half of Mexico’s population participates in the thriving industries of fresh and processed food in Mexico.  Attendees of the <a href="http://www.expoantad.net/expo2016/">ANTAD Expo</a> were looking for solutions and new products to buy in the seafood, processed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, poultry, meat and snack foods food sectors. ANTAD attendees were also looking for food safety and quality solutions, as most of Mexico’s food and beverage producers have a global audience as well as a local one. This is where <a href="http://www.sqfi.com/">SQFI</a> and <a href="http://www.sqfi.com/">the SQF Program</a> come in.  The <a href="http://www.sqfi.com">SQF program</a> is recognized by retailers and foodservice providers around the world as a rigorous, credible food safety management system. It is the only certification system recognized by the <a href="http://www.mygfsi.com/">Global Food Safety Initiative</a> (GFSI) that offers certificates for primary production, food manufacturing, distribution and agent/broker management. This enables suppliers to assure their customers that food has been produced, processed, prepared and handled according to the highest possible standards, at all levels of the supply chain. Additionally as a division of the <a href="http://www.fmi.org/">Food Marketing Institute</a> (FMI), the <a href="http://www.sqfi.com/">SQF program</a> incorporates continual retailer feedback about consumer concerns. This information is passed on to <a href="http://www.sqfi.com/">SQF</a> certified suppliers, keeping them a step ahead of their competitors. <a href="http://www.sqfi.com/">SQFI</a> also had the prestigious opportunity to present to the exhibitors and attendees at the food safety session Thursday morning. Senior Technical Director, LeAnn Chubboff presented on GFSI and the <a href="http://www.sqfi.com/">SQF Program</a> and why obtaining an <a href="http://www.sqfi.com/">SQF Certification</a> is so important in today’s global food safety industry. For more information please visit <a href="http://www.sqfi.com/">www.sqfi.com</a>  and enjoy the photos below for our booth, presentations and some of the SQF certified suppliers we saw! <img src="http://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/sqfi-in-mexico.jpg?sfvrsn=0" data-displaymode="Original" alt="SQFI In Mexico" title="SQFI In Mexico" style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 10px;" />

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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.