Photo Friday: Congressional Happenings on the West Coast with Northgate Gonzalez Market

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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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.

The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) helped Northgate Gonzalez Market host Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-CA) on April 13 at store #24 in Norwalk, CA, where they showcased the mercado concept and talked through some of the more pressing issues impacting the supermarket industry, such as FDA menu labeling, “swipe” fees, and WIC licensing.

By: Cynthia Brazzel, director of member relations & advocacy in the western region, and Rob Rosado, senior director of food & health policy, Food Marketing Institute <img src="http://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/northgate-gonzalez.tmb-large-350-.png?sfvrsn=1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Northgate Gonzalez" title="Northgate Gonzalez" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px;" />The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) helped Northgate Gonzalez Market host Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-CA) on April 13 at store #24 in Norwalk, CA, where they showcased the mercado concept and talked through some of the more pressing issues impacting the supermarket industry, such as FDA menu labeling, “swipe” fees, and WIC licensing.  Northgate Gonzalez CEO and Co-President, Oscar Gonzalez; Wellness Program Manager, Teresa Blanco; Chief Compliance Officer, Mehdi Moussavi; Director of Prepared Foods, Maunel Gonzalez, and District Director, Martin Chavoya were all on-hand to demonstrate the company’s commitment to customer and community service. FMI’s Senior Director of Food & Health Policy Rob Rosado, and Director of Member Relations & Advocacy in the Western Region, Cynthia Brazzel, helped arrange the visit and issues to cover. Northgate Gonzalez’ festive format brings the customer into an atmosphere reminiscent of food stalls or boutiques featuring such Mexican favorites as a tortilleria offering fresh and warm corn and flour tortillas and freshly toasted chips, a ceviche bar with about 8 different styles of this raw fish delicacy, a juice bar with traditional licuadas and aguas frescas, along with a made-to-order guacamole kiosk, fresh salsas, and an array of tamales all prepared in-house. The Mercado boasts an impressive array of meats, poultry and seafood, including those typical of Mexician cuisine such as lengua (beef tongue) and tripa (for menudo). The bakery offers all manner of sweets, most notably pan dulce, the traditional pastries enjoyed by all. Teresa Blanco, wellness program manager for Northgate Gonzalez, shared the important and diverse ways they serve their customers, such as senior health clinics, low-income mobile mammogram screenings, and the only supermarket with bilingual nutrition shelf tags.<a>* </a>It was a great opportunity to show a lawmaker how committed and active this industry is to educating and influencing the health of the customer. Arranging and supporting a store visit from a Member of Congress is an FMI service that we can bring to showcase your company initiatives and add value to your community outreach without disrupting your operations . Contact <a href="mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">Jennifer Hatcher</a>, chief public policy office & senior vice president, government relations, Food Marketing Institute, and let our government relations team do the work for you.

Read full article on FMI

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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.