Retail Cleaning and Sanitation Programs Foster Food Safety Culture

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.

Throughout the year, the Food Protection Committee (FPC), a group of food safety leaders from FMI member companies, worked hard to publish free food safety resources that support all FMI members in advancing food safety programs.

By: Adam Friedlander, MS, Food Safety and Technical Services, FMI <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/screen-shot-2019-11-26-at-1-28-48-pm.tmb-large-350-.png?sfvrsn=3297526e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Food Safety Cleaning " title="Food Safety Cleaning " style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" />Grocery shoppers deserve a safe shopping experience. In fact, the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends">FMI U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2019</a> reports 74% of customers expect a store to be clean and neat, an 11% increase from the 2018 report. Plus, 93% of shoppers trust their grocery store to ensure that the food they purchase is safe. FMI members build trust within their communities by raising food safety standards in each of their stores and sharing <a href="http://www.fightbac.org/food-safety-basics/the-core-four-practices/">valuable food safety knowledge</a> with their customers.  Throughout the year, the Food Protection Committee (FPC), a group of food safety leaders from FMI member companies, worked hard to publish free food safety resources that support all FMI members in advancing food safety programs. The <a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/food-safety-best-practice-guides/fmi-cleaning-and-sanitation-guide-final-oct-2019.pdf?sfvrsn=2ede536e_0">Cleaning and Sanitation Guide for Food Retail</a> introduces the top five fundamental categories for developing a successful cleaning and sanitation program: <ol> <li>Use Proper Equipment, Cleaning Chemicals and Tools </li> <li>Plan Facility Design and Workflow </li> <li>Develop a Master Sanitation Approach </li> <li>Establish Effective Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) </li> <li>Train All Personnel on Cleaning and Sanitation</li> </ol> The updated <a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/food-safety-best-practice-guides/fs16-fmi_listeria_2016.pdf?sfvrsn=a5569a6f_6">Listeria Action Plan for Retailers</a> assists retailers in developing food safety plans to help control the growth of Listeria throughout all operational activities by addressing:   <ol> <li>Product Handling to Limit Listeria Growth</li> <li>Sanitary Design of Equipment</li> <li>Controlling Product and People Flow to Reduce the Risk of Cross Contamination</li> <li>Training and Execution of Proper Cleaning and Sanitation as well as Employee Practices</li> <li>Cleaning and Sanitizing</li> <li>Environmental Monitoring Plans</li> <li>Incoming Ingredient Management</li> </ol> Both guides aim to equip retailers with comprehensive tools that improve the shopping experience, enhance operational efficiency and reduce the likelihood of product contamination.  Overall, cleaning and sanitation programs play a vital role in the prevention of contamination and is a foundation for establishing an effective <a href="https://www.sqfi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SQF-Code_Retail-Ed-8.1-FINAL-1.pdf">food safety management system</a>. Developing and implementing a well-documented and executable cleaning and sanitation program is the first step to achieving a food safe retail environment and building a strong food safety culture. FMI is proud to support the entire food industry in maintaining and improving food safety from farm-to-fork.  <a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/food-safety-best-practice-guides/fmi-cleaning-and-sanitation-guide-final-oct-2019.pdf?sfvrsn=2ede536e_0" class="button">Download the Cleaning and Sanitation Guide for Food Retail</a> <a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/food-safety-best-practice-guides/fs16-fmi_listeria_2016.pdf?sfvrsn=a5569a6f_6" class="button-secondary">Download the Listeria Action for Retailers</a>

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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.