Beyond TP and Sanitizers: Why a Virtual Exchange Platform Serves the Food Industry Year Round

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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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.

The new Food Industry Exchange, an electronic, subscription-based sustainable marketplace developed for FMI by The Seam is a valuable tool in shoring-up supply chains in anticipation of disruption. The Food Industry Exchange launched during the early weeks of the pandemic, when demand at retail was swelling and foodservice vendors were faced with high levels of supplies. Since then, the platform has addressed the urgent needs of retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and, ultimately, consumers

<p>By Rick Stein, Vice President Fresh Foods, FMI</p> <div contenteditable="false" style="width:460px;height:315px;position:relative;z-index:40;float:right;" class="-align-right"> <div><iframe width="460" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zMXKEz5fGpA" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> </div> <p>Just because it felt like 40 days of blizzard shopping during the pandemic stock-up this spring doesn’t mean that blizzards won’t send shoppers scrambling again to empty store shelves. And don’t forget hurricane season is here, along with back-to-school season and autumn rife with concerns about ongoing spread of COVID-19. In short, the food industry needs to prepare for any eventuality.</p> <p>The new <a href="https://www.foodindustryexchange.com/">Food Industry Exchange</a>, an electronic, subscription-based sustainable marketplace developed for FMI by <a href="https://www.theseam.com/">The Seam</a> is a valuable tool in shoring-up supply chains in anticipation of disruption. The <a href="https://www.foodindustryexchange.com/">Food Industry Exchange</a> launched during the early weeks of the pandemic, when demand at retail was swelling and foodservice vendors were faced with high levels of supplies. Since then, the platform has addressed the urgent needs of retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and, ultimately, consumers. </p> <p>As our partner, Mark Pryor of The Seam says, “Supply chains are all about relationships, and technology allows us to make things much better and more efficient. When you look across categories, it's a great opportunity for suppliers to expand distribution and their customer base.” Mark knows a thing or two about the relationships in this industry: The Seam has a two-decade history of providing software solutions and cloud-based platforms for those in the food and agriculture industry.</p> <p>Providing a real-time virtual industry exchange for product offers and discovery is important during – and beyond – times of crisis. This intuitive platform is an effective way of delivering products in the short term and starting new collaborations for the long term. Communication is at the heart of the <a href="https://www.foodindustryexchange.com/">Food Industry Exchange</a>, which enables suppliers to send messages directly to buyers and buyers to receive messages by email or text. </p> <p>Even with a few days’ notice of an advancing hurricane or amid early indications of a local surge in COVID-19 cases, users of the <a href="https://www.foodindustryexchange.com/">Food Industry Exchange</a> can search specific products and services expected to be in high demand. Geolocation tools are also built into the system to sell and find products that are scarce in one part of the country but ample in another.</p> <p>Blizzards will happen. Illnesses will emerge. Demands will change. The combination of trust and technology will strengthen the supply chain and those who are part of it.</p> <p><a href="http://www.foodindustryexchange.com/"><em>Learn more about the Food Industry Exchange, which is available for a 60-day trial and ongoing service at a nominal fee</em></a><em>.</em></p>

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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.