Tailor-made In-Store Food Experiences for Different Communities

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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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.

Food retailers can create in-store memorable experiences lots of ways, but I’m always particularly impress by the grocery stores that take the time to learn their local shoppers’ fresh culinary preferences and build tantalizing experiences around them that draw customers in. Here are some examples.

<p>By: Rick Stein, Vice President Fresh Foods, Food Marketing Institute<br /> <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/photos-for-staff-use/dietitian/20171205-fmi-store-shoot-0680_ed.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=c334786e_2" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="20171205-FMI-Store Shoot-0680_ed" title="20171205-FMI-Store Shoot-0680_ed" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /></p> <p>I once visited a grocery store with a grand piano and a live pianist playing and taking requests. It was a grocery shopping experience I’ll never forget—he was even wearing a tuxedo with tails!</p> <p>Food retailers can create in-store memorable experiences lots of ways, but I’m always particularly impress by the grocery stores that take the time to learn their local shoppers’ fresh culinary preferences and build tantalizing experiences around them that draw customers in. Here are some examples:</p> <h5>Catering to Culinary Cooking Interests</h5> <p>At first glance, there’s nothing unusual about cooking classes - except for the fact that different people in different communities want to learn to cook different things - and they’re not always what you would expect. Otherwise, you might not go looking for a <a href="https://www.harmonsgrocery.com/classes">class in how to cook Korean bibimbap or a number of Thai dishes</a> at some of the 16 Harmons Neighborhood Groceries in the Salt Lake City area.</p> <p>Reflecting the interest in healthy ingredients in the Northwest, shoppers can visit any of the six <a href="http://townandcountrymarkets.com/bainbridge-market/culinary-resource/">Town & Country Markets</a> to learn how to make butternut squash, kale and brown rice casserole, muffuletta sandwiches, or crunchy baby bok choy salad.</p> <p>Shoppers can sign up for <a href="https://www.northgatemarket.com/miguelitos-cocina-club">Miguelito’s Cocina Club</a>, a cooking school for kids in 38 Northgate Gonzalez Markets in Southern California. Promising the “truest ingredients imported from Mexico,” Northgate helps its many Latino shoppers assure culinary traditions are passed on to the next generation.</p> <h5>Product Sample Immersions</h5> <p>At the <a href="https://www.marketofchoice.com/produce/our-fabulous-juicer-your-fresh-oj">Market of Choice</a>’s six stores in Oregon, shoppers can pick out citrus fruits and ask staff to squeeze them into juice while watching. Then shoppers can enjoy fresh juice on the spot, sip it as they stroll the aisles or take it home.</p> <p>Shoppers at a select number of the Acme Markets in the Northeastern U.S., can stop into “<a href="https://www.delcotimes.com/business/acme-celebrates-grand-re-opening-of-ridley-store/article_ddba245c-d6ba-575f-aeb7-a016528a3cfd.html">The Frosted Mug</a>.” These beer and wine departments have full-service bars, restaurant seating, plenty of warm and cold beer options and more than 80 kinds of wine. Shoppers can enjoy a mug of beer or glass of wine in the store, build their own six-pack to take home or fill a growler from the draft beers on tap.</p> <h5>Helping With Health</h5> <p>Hy-Vee, with hundreds of stores throughout the Midwest, takes their customers’ health seriously. To prove it, they have a <a href="https://www.hy-vee.com/health/hy-vee-dietitians/default.aspx">team of dietitians</a> who provide a number of services:</p> <ul> <li>Nutrition tours of stores so customers can locate the healthiest foods for themselves;</li> <li>Free diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings;</li> <li>A <em>Healthy Bites</em> program that provides weekly menus with easy, nutritious recipes and shopping lists;</li> <li>Individual medical nutrition therapy;</li> <li>A lifestyle and weight loss program; and</li> <li>Presentations on healthy choices throughout their communities.</li> </ul> <p>There are more tips on health and wellness in the fresh department in our <a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/health-wellness/best-practices-for-health-and-wellness-in-fresh-department">Best Practices for Health and Wellness in Fresh Department</a> guide. </p> <p>Food retailers who understand their community’s interests and tastes can create memorable in-store experiences that excite and delight customers and keep them coming back for more. </p>

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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.