Food Waste During COVID-19

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.

We are both single shopper households, and during the COVID-19 pandemic have been lucky to be able to work from home while experimenting with new ways of food shopping and “cooking.” Right in line with a finding in the U.S. Grocery Trends COVID 19 Tracker, we are each trying to use food we have – especially perishables—to minimize waste and minimize shopping trips. However, as time goes by, concerns about product availability remain (65% of those we surveyed are concerned about shortages of entire food categories or shortages of specific brands flavors or sizes).

By Marjorie DePuy, Senior Director, Supply Chain and Sustainability, FMI and Andy Harig, Vice President, Tax, Trade, Sustainability & Policy Development, FMI <div class="mg-image--circular" style="float: right; margin: 10px;"><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/cooking-image.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=97f66c56_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Cooking image" title="Cooking image" /></div> We are both single shopper households, and during the COVID-19 pandemic have been lucky to be able to work from home while experimenting with new ways of food shopping and “cooking.” Right in line with a finding in the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends">U.S. Grocery Trends COVID 19 Tracker</a>, we are each trying to use food we have – especially perishables—to minimize waste and minimize shopping trips. However, as time goes by, concerns about product availability remain (65% of those we surveyed are concerned about shortages of entire food categories or shortages of specific brands flavors or sizes). FMI’s data from a survey conducted a few weeks ago shows that 37% of grocery shoppers are more successful in avoiding food waste now than compared to before the pandemic and 8% are less successful, which leaves a large ‘missing middle’ where it's about the same. Since estimates say 25% to 40% of food grown, processed and transported in the U.S. will never be consumed and that this current COVID-19 environment has only exacerbated the gaps in the systems connecting food from farm to fork, we have great opportunities ahead to combat food waste. It is even more critical that we advance the longtime work as a <a href="https://foodwastealliance.org/">Food Waste Reduction Alliance</a> (FWRA), where, with our partners Consumer Brands Association and National Restaurant Association, we aim to reduce the amount of food waste generated, donate more food to people in need and divert food waste from landfills. FWRA has a recently <a href="https://foodwastealliance.org/">refreshed website</a> with new resources and a more modern design. FWRA also hosts regular calls for members to connect with each other and with industry and agency partners around food loss and waste challenges. Amidst all the anxiety inducing news, members also report creative partnerships to support food rescue and food donation organizations. Let's modernize the way we connect the dots in our own operations and across our networks to meet the daunting food waste reduction challenges ahead. <a href="https://foodwastealliance.org/" class="button">Visit Food Waste Reduction Alliance</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.