Nurturing a $127 Billion Business Opportunity in Specialty Food

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.

A 2017 report by the Specialty Food Association (SFA) indicates that the specialty food category represents $127 billion, up 15 percent since 2014. Specialty foods are outpacing their non-specialty counterparts in nearly every category. And consistent with current trends, categories aligned with health and wellness and fresh are growing fastest.

By: Mark Baum, Senior Vice President of Industry Relations Chief Collaboration Officer, Food Marketing Institute <img src="http://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/speciality-blog-2.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=fc9d726e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin and SFA President Phil Kafarakis" title="mg-caption: FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin and SFA President Phil Kafarakis" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /> A 2017 report by the <a href="https://www.specialtyfood.com/" target="_blank">Specialty Food Association</a> (SFA) indicates that the specialty food category represents $127 billion, up 15 percent since 2014<a href="file:///C:/Users/kjw/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/1IJV8U2M/SFA%20Partnership%20Blog_Baum.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1">[i]</a>.  Specialty foods are outpacing their non-specialty counterparts in nearly every category. And consistent with current trends, categories aligned with health and wellness and fresh are growing fastest. It’s true – the median sales per square foot for a specialty store average $6.47 more than a conventional supermarket, playing to the fact that shoppers are taking fewer overall trips to the grocery store and are migrating to other channels for pantry loading or specialty items. The demand wave is surging; and we know from our work in the private brands that the opportunity to attract loyal customers should not come with a compromise on product quality or safety.  <a href="http://www.fmi.org/newsroom/latest-news/view/2017/05/18/strengthening-the-specialty-food-industry-specialty-food-association-food-marketing-institute-announce-alliance">FMI and SFA announced an agreement</a> aimed at broadening the scope and availability of new products in the food retail marketplace that ensures proper food safety business planning and standards. This new association alliance will bring new insights, create opportunities for business development, and offer education to specialty suppliers through food safety training services. Suppliers remain the core to our businesses, and having safe, reliable, product sources is what consumers expect and deserve. Consumers are also expecting new, exciting, and local products to try, which can be particularly challenging when it comes to food safety. In this global, local, and big branded sourcing world, identifying suppliers – large or small – that have a solid foundation for food safety is not an easy task. As your association, we recognize a need to nurture these nascent companies and give them the tools to be successful and reliable business partners. With the  growing list of emerging issues and regulatory requirements seemingly changing each time we open an email – whole genome sequencing, Listeria outbreaks, Food Safety Modernization Act deadlines and allergen recall alerts – so too are the changes that impact suppliers, brands and the culture of food safety embedded in our companies. I look forward to Robert Garfield, chief food safety assessment officer & SVP, Food Marketing Institute, and head of <a href="http://www.sqfi.com/">SQFI</a>, to address the upcoming <a href="https://www.specialtyfood.com/shows-events/summer-fancy-food-show/">SFA Fancy Food Show</a> in New York, June 26th on the topic of the Future of Food Safety. He will discuss the impact of food safety disruptors on food retail businesses and their suppliers. In addition, our food safety team will host a Food Safety Lounge to help specialty food manufacturers and retailers navigate options for food safety programs and compliance. Food safety is fundamental for food retailers, so we look forward to delivering on our promise for increased resources and opportunities with SFA in the years ahead. <div> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /> <div id="edn1"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/kjw/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/1IJV8U2M/SFA%20Partnership%20Blog_Baum.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1">[i]</a> State of the Specialty Food Industry, 2017, Specialty Food Association </div> </div>

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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.