“Safe Recipe Style Guide” Reaches Costa Rica

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

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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.

Auto Mercado, a grocery chain in Costa Rica, began using the Safe Recipe Style Guide in its stores. Auto Mercado worked with its nutrition and marketing team to include the Safe Recipe Style Guidemessages in store recipes and translated the materials into Spanish.

FMI Chief Food and Product Safety Officer, Senior Vice President, Food Safety Programs, Hilary Thesmar, PhD, RD, CFS, recently participated in the <a href="https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/podcast/ep-45-david-acheson-food-safety-consumers-communication/">Food Safety Matters Podcast, Episode 45, which highlighted The Challenges of Communicating Food Safety to Consumers</a>. After hearing the podcast, <a href="https://www.automercado.cr/">Auto Mercado</a>, a grocery chain in Costa Rica, began using the <a href="https://www.saferecipeguide.org/">Safe Recipe Style Guide</a> in its stores. Auto Mercado worked with its nutrition and marketing team to include the Safe Recipe Style Guidemessages in store recipes and translated the materials into Spanish. They also developed and sold color-coded reusable thermal bags, which included the Spanish version of <a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/corporate-social-responsibility/food-keeper-food-storage-database">The FoodKeeper</a> and refrigerator magnets to celebrate <a href="https://www.un.org/en/events/foodsafetyday/">Food Safety Day</a>.   <u1:p></u1:p> The Safe Recipe Style Guide provides easy modifications to any recipe to improve food safety practices. Multiple studies show that when consumers follow recipes that incorporate basic food safety instructions, they significantly increase food safety behaviors. <u1:p></u1:p> Here are some photos of Auto Mercado's Safe Recipe Style Guide activations: <center><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/picture1657f320324aa67249237ff0000c12749.tmb-large-350-.png?sfvrsn=83d5556e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Auto Mercado" title="Auto Mercado" style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 10px;" /></center>   <center><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/picture2.tmb-large-350-.png?sfvrsn=5cd5556e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Auto Mercado" title="Auto Mercado" style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 10px;" /></center> <center><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/picture13.tmb-large-350-.png?sfvrsn=70d5556e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Auto Mercado" title="Auto Mercado" style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 10px;" /></center>

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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.