Food Retailers Best Offense Could be Food Defense

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.

In today’s world, it’s important to know how to prepare for intentional threats inside and outside of the food supply chain.

By: Doug Baker, Vice President Industry Relations – Private Brands, Technology, Loss Prevention, Food Marketing Institute <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/fooddefenseretailers.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=cae7706e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="FoodDefenseRetailers" title="FoodDefenseRetailers" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" />Anyone scanning the news knows there’s been an increase of assorted threats, not just confronting our country, but our businesses. In today’s world, it’s important to know <a href="https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2017/02/15/food-defense-cross-your-t-s-and-dot-your-i-s">how to prepare for intentional threats</a> inside and outside of the food supply chain. As a way for retailers to better understand vulnerabilities facing food and agriculture, Rod Wheeler, founder and CEO of the Global Food Defense Institute, will lead a course specifically designed for grocers. “The <a href="file:///C:/Users/mel/Desktop/www.%20FMI.org/RetailFoodDefense">2017 Food Defense/Crisis Management/Emergency Preparedness Management Certificate Course</a> will expose retailers to food chain insecurities from farm to fork,” said Wheeler. “It’s an essential opportunity for them to further understand various security measures and apply their knowledge to concerns facing the industry.” Wheeler’s course will provide interactive workshops centered on real-life scenarios, challenging attendees to think practically to identify vulnerabilities in their businesses and handle a crisis effectively. “Large businesses have resources to educate employees and put active safety and defense plans in place,” explained Wheeler. “However, in food defense, this isn’t the case for mid-size businesses. We’re seeing more and more small to mid-size companies looking to protect their assets, their people, and their products.” Impactful learning happens when individuals have the ability to develop and enable the skills they need during a crisis. Over the course of two days, attendees will learn how to protect their supply chain from intentional contamination, perform security vulnerability and risk assessments of their retail establishments, understand the legal pitfalls that can occur by not being proactive with regards to security, and also prepare for in-store emergencies like active shooters and workplace violence. “It will be front-line workers that may stop the next terrorist attack,” affirmed Wheeler. “We don’t know when the next attack will be, so it’s important that we not become complacent and remain vigilant.” FMI will host the 2017 Food Defense Certificate Course for grocers on August 22 – August 23, 2017. Participants will receive a certificate of completion in Food Defense-Emergency Preparedness. <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/meeting/MeetingFormPublic/view?id=4593FD000000E5">Register here</a>.

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.