Meal Kits: One Man’s Dream Becomes A Reality

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.

who frontpage

member frontpage

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.

According to FMI’s 2019 U.S Grocery Shopper Trends report, 17% of U.S. shoppers have tried a least one subscription-model approach to food procurement, most often online meal kits or grocery deliveries. Men have adopted meal kits at a higher rate than women (12% vs. 8%) and report a significantly higher frequency of meal kit deliveries. Have modern men finally found their solution to culinary bliss?

<p>By: Chad Ross, Manager, Industry Relations & Total Store Collaboration, Food Marketing Institute<br /> <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/delivery.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=c744566e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="delivery" title="delivery" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /></p> <p>After an hour of prep and fifty minutes of baking, I’m putting the final touches on my homemade lasagna—the best way to cap off a busy, but productive Wednesday evening. As I pull the flawlessly cooked meal out of the oven, I begin to hear Nicholas Britell’s composition entitled <em>Agape</em> play in the background. One of my favorite compositions being played as I’m about to enjoy a tasty meal—perfection! As the song crescendos, I realize there is an alarm going off in the background. In that split second I open my eyes, reach for my phone and press the off button on my alarm as <em>Agape</em> comes to a sudden halt and I awake from my dream to discover the delicious meal all a product of my imagination. </p> <p>I pull up my calendar to see a typical Wednesday—eight hours of work, plus another hour at the gym, sprinkle in an additional hour of round-trip commuting. I should be home by 6:00 pm. Did I unfreeze the chicken (most likely not)? What am I going to have for dinner and how can I make it exciting?  </p> <p>Then, I get a pleasant reminder. Today is Wednesday, and that means my meal kit will be delivered to my office by end of day. I open the app and see what is being sent my way (after modifying my selection the week before). I think the Pulled Pork Enchilada Skillet with Lime Crema sounds AMAZING! More importantly, cook time is just fifteen minutes. </p> <p>According to FMI’s <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends-2019"><em>2019 U.S Grocery Shopper Trends</em></a> report, 17% of U.S. shoppers have tried a least one subscription-model approach to food procurement, most often online meal kits or grocery deliveries. Men have adopted meal kits at a higher rate than women (12% vs. 8%) and report a significantly higher frequency of meal kit deliveries. Have modern men finally found their solution to culinary bliss? </p> <p>Here are some of my reasons for being a meal kit connoisseur: </p> <h5>Meal Planning Made Easy</h5> <p>I love to eat well, but I lack creativity or expertise to pull together a great meal.</p> <h5>Expands My Culinary Skills</h5> <p>I wanted meal options that breakup my rotation of spices that I seemingly put on everything and expand my culinary skills.</p> <h5>Experimentation Made Simple</h5> <p>My customizable meal kit allows me to try new foods without having to figure out the difference between a scallion and a shallot.</p> <h5>Anyone Can Do It</h5> <p>Using my ability to follow directions, which I perfected in childhood while building Legos, I can make an incredible meal in fifteen minutes with all the ingredients included.</p> <p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends-2019" class="button-secondary">Download U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends</a></p>

Read full article on FMI

Menus

Some of the main menus of the template are now set via the template parameters saving you having to set up menu modules for each menu. From this section you can choose what menus you would like connected with these pre assigned menu areas of the template.

Copyright Information

Enter the copyright information that will appear in the footer area of your template.

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.