What is FMI’s Fresh Foods Leadership Council?

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 group to include many thought-leading suppliers, research organizations, and sister trade associations, as well as, members of FMI’s Fresh Executive Committee (FEC), which includes 22 different food retail and wholesale companies. Together, the collective group is called the Fresh Foods Leadership Council (FFLC).

By Rick Stein, Fresh, Vice President, Food Marketing Institute <img src="http://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/photos-for-staff-use/produce/fmi-12092014_134_web.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=44ed9a6f_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="FMI-12092014_134_WEB" title="FMI-12092014_134_WEB" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" />In my role at FMI, I’ve had the opportunity to work with our Fresh members to create numerous resources for the food retail industry. However, there’s one unique resource in particular that creates a community for the leaders of <a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/fresh-foods">Fresh Foods</a> (or as we call it in the industry, “The Perimeter”). In 2014, I asked Fresh Foods members to help me create a committee that would offer Fresh executives a place to foster innovation, discuss in-depth information, trends, and insights, and develop winning industry strategies. It took time to perfect the right recipe, but the Fresh Executive Committee (FEC) has grown into a strong cross-collaboration of various retailers and wholesalers. Last year, we expanded the group to include many thought-leading suppliers, research organizations, and sister trade associations, as well as, members of FMI’s Fresh Executive Committee (FEC), which includes 22 different food retail and wholesale companies. Together, the collective group is called the Fresh Foods Leadership Council (FFLC). With FFLC members’ diverse backgrounds ranging from sales and marketing to operation and sustainability in Fresh Foods, a group like this has never existed before in the Fresh industry. As the food retail industry continues to evolve, we know FMI members are concerned with the growing regulatory and legislative burdens, emerging industry issues, and have a higher demand for education and resources. That’s why the council engages in non-competitive conversations, which ensures they can focus their energies on education, networking, and advocacy. Members share ideas, explore emerging issues (Animal Welfare, GMO, Corporate and Social Responsibility,etc), develop business relations, and safeguard their voices in Washington on priority issues like Menu Labeling, Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Each year in January and June, the group meets to review rising issues and topics concerning the Fresh community. From that discussion, the FFLC leads projects on issues such as FSMA and Menu Labeling, and establishes industry research like the Power of Meat, Power of Produce, the Power of Fresh Prepared, and Top Trends in Fresh. Interested in joining the FFLC? Learn more at <a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/fresh-foods">FMI.org/freshfoods</a> or contact Rick Stein, <a href="mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.</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.