Has Food Waste Finally Met Its Match?

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.

On Tuesday, the Washington headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a joint event with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to unveil a new strategy to address food waste.

By: Andy Harig, Senior Director, Tax, Trade & Sustainability, Food Marketing Institute <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/14968829951_17c27d7047_z.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=d8de496e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Winning on Reducing Food Waste" title="Winning on Reducing Food Waste" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" />Government buildings typically are not known for their splendor; but sometimes what goes on in their halls can be truly grand. On Tuesday, the Washington headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a joint event with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to unveil a new <a href="https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm635654.htm">strategy</a> to address food waste.  This followed an earlier <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/presidential-message-winning-reducing-food-waste-month/">proclamation</a> from President Trump declaring April “Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month.”  <h4>The new multi-agency strategy focuses on six key areas:</h4> <ol> <li>Enhance Interagency Coordination</li> <li>Increase Consumer Education and Outreach Efforts</li> <li>Improve Coordination and Guidance on Food Loss and Waste Measurement</li> <li>Clarify and Communicate Information on Food Safety, Food Date Labels, and Food Donations</li> <li>Collaborate with Private Industry to Reduce Food Loss and Waste Across the Supply Chain</li> <li>Encourage Food Waste Reduction by Federal Agencies in their Respective Facilities</li> </ol> This new announcement – while exciting in its own right – could not have come at a more perfect moment. It coincides with a revitalization and reemergence of the Food Waste Reduction Alliance (<a href="https://foodwastealliance.org/">FWRA</a>), the oldest industry-run coalition focused exclusively on reducing food waste in the supply chain. FMI founded and runs FWRA with our industry partners the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and National Restaurant Association (NRA); it has produced groundbreaking research and case studies on food waste that have been used by academics, NGOs and government agencies.   The FWRA never went away – its members have been meeting and working diligently – but its work has been overshadowed a bit by other emerging issues like plastics and packaging. In the fall of 2018, however, the FWRA’s member companies reaffirmed their commitment to addressing food waste and tasked the founding associations with developing a new workplan focused on innovation, aggressive action and measurable progress. This work is already well underway; the FWRA will meet for a status update on May 2-3 at the offices of GMA in Rosslyn, VA.   The EPA-USDA-FDA commitment to reducing food waste opens up an exciting new opportunity for a revitalized FWRA to partner with government to create real and lasting change. With new resources being brought to bear, new partnerships being formed and new voices entering the fray, the next chapter in addressing food waste is being written right now.

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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.