September is We Card Awareness Month

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.

September is We Card Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to train or re-train employees and raise awareness of the FDA regulations and state law compliance on the sale of tobacco.

By: Elizabeth Tansing, Director, State Government Relations. Food Marketing Institute  <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/we-card.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=6d0cb76f_0" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="We Card" title="We Card" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px;" />September is <a href="http://www.wecard.org/ads" target="_blank">We Card Awareness Month</a>, and it’s a great time to train or re-train employees and raise awareness of the FDA regulations and state law compliance on the sale of tobacco. The We Card Program, Inc. is a national non-profit organization serving the nation's retailers of tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapor products and other age-restricted products. The Food Marketing Institute (FMI), along with other national trade associations, sits on the Board of Directors of We Card. FMI supports the mission of We Card's ongoing efforts to raise awareness of responsible retailing and age verification requirements and to educate and train retail employees to identify and prevent underage attempts to purchase age-restricted products.  Governors from the following states have issued proclamations designating September as We Card Awareness Month: Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Maine (Maine issued a letter of support), Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin. While many states have achieved successfully low percentages in their sales to minors, there remain a few states with high FDA inspection violation rates. They are Arizona (20.61%), Michigan (25.91%), Missouri (21.22%), North Carolina (32.08%), North Dakota (22.62%), Oklahoma (34.26%) and Wisconsin (22.84%). FMI encourages all retailers to continue in their efforts to successfully identify and prevent age-restricted product sales to minors. There are many resources available from We Card. We Card resources include:   <ul> <li> We Card’s 2018 materials will be available to order on September 1, 2017 at <a href="http://www.search4gear.com/" target="_blank">www.search4gear.com</a></li> <li>Three states raised the purchase age for tobacco to 21 this year: Oregon (effective 8/9/17); New Jersey (effective 11/1/17); and Maine (effective 7/1/18). Get an updated state law summary or a Federal Law Summary on FDA regulated products and requirements of retailers. See We Card's Resource Center at <a href="http://www.wecard.org/" target="_blank">www.wecard.org</a>.</li> </ul> Merchant education is important because retailers are on the frontlines in the effort to reduce youth access to tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping products and alcohol products.

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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.