A Challenge the Entire Food Industry is Committed to Overcoming

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.

FMI’s Chief Food and Product Safety Officer and Senior Vice President of Food Safety Programs, Hilary Thesmar, participated in several symposiums where she shared the retail food industry’s recent food safety efforts.

By: Ashley Eisenbeiser, MS, CFS, Director, Food and Product Safety Programs, Food Marketing Institute <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/floor-drain-cleaning.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=ba75706e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Floor drain cleaning" title="Floor drain cleaning" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" />The <a href="http://www.foodprotection.org/">International Association of Food Protection (IAFP)</a> recently held its annual meeting in Tampa, Florida. Since 1912, the IAFP Annual Meeting has brought food safety professionals together from all around the globe to hear from leading experts on hot topics, latest science, and new technology in food safety. FMI’s Chief Food and Product Safety Officer and Senior Vice President of Food Safety Programs, Hilary Thesmar, participated in several symposiums where she shared the retail food industry’s recent food safety efforts. One of the symposiums she participated in, “Cross Pollination of Listeria Learnings across the Industry” featured leaders from different food sectors who shared some of their key learnings on Listeria control. One theme that was echoed by all the symposium’s presenters was that Listeria is a challenge the entire food industry faces but it is a challenge that everyone is committed to overcoming. Over the past decade or two, the food industry has learned a lot about Listeria monocynoteges (Lm) and the risk it poses. Dr. Thesmar highlighted some of the work the retail food industry has done on Listeria over the years. Retail delis and prepared food departments provide an ideal environment for Listeria—cold temperatures, moist, high protein foods, and lots of water. Training and execution of proper sanitation and employee practices as well as applying appropriate temperature controls to limit Lm growth are the core items retailers focus on to minimize the risk of Lm at retail.  With the support of the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/foundation">FMI Foundation</a>, FMI has funded research to identify the gaps in Listeria control at retail as well studies to develop effective and validated control strategies. This research is the foundation of FMI’s best practice resources on Listeria. Here are some of FMI’s Listeria resources: <ul> <li><a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/food-safety-best-practice-guides/fs16-fmi_listeria_2016.pdf?sfvrsn=2">Listeria Action Plan for Retailers</a> (2016)</li> <li><a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/food-safety-best-practice-guides/listeria-action-plan-for-retail-delis.pdf?sfvrsn=11">Listeria Action Plan for Retail Delis</a> (2013)</li> <li><a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/food-safety/listeria-guidance.pdf?sfvrsn=4">Guidance for the Control of Listeria monocytogenes Risks in Retail Food Stores</a> (2006)</li> </ul> Dr. Thesmar closed by emphasizing that although we don’t know what our future will hold, we don’t expect Listeria to go away and therefore Listeria will continue to present many challenges. However, if we commit to educating ourselves and the people we work with and focus on the basics (training, cleaning and sanitation, and allocating resources for food safety), then we will be in a much better position to overcome any challenge that comes our way. For more food safety resources, visit <a href="http://www.fmi.org/food-safety">www.fmi.org/food-safety</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.