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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.

Consumers are more likely to follow food safety instructions if they are embedded within the recipe. To further enhance this behavior, the Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE) is sponsoring the inaugural 30-Minute Meals Safe Recipe Contest to challenge our industry in creating a delicious, nutritious and safe recipe.

<p>By Adam Friedlander, MS, CFS, Manager, Food Safety and Technical Services</p> <p><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/istock-492228248f88994d0aad24f92b820ca461b1b68b0.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=46b6ca82_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Food Safety Recipes" title="Food Safety Recipes" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" />Creating a recipe with food safety instructions is simple &ndash; the first step is always&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html">wash your hands</a>.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Consumers are more likely to follow food safety instructions if they are&nbsp;<a href="https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article-abstract/83/7/1167/426199/An-Observational-Study-of-Thermometer-Use-by?redirectedFrom=fulltext">embedded</a>&nbsp;within the recipe, and retailers are uniquely positioned to educate consumers on practicing food safety in their home kitchens.&nbsp;</p> <p>Unsurprisingly,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends">more families are cooking at home</a>&nbsp;since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and there is a long-lasting opportunity to prioritize food safety each time we step foot in the kitchen. To further promote a strong food safety culture within our homes, the Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE) is sponsoring the inaugural&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fightbac.org/recipecontest/">30-Minute Meals Safe Recipe Contest</a>&nbsp;to challenge our industry in creating a delicious, nutritious and safe recipe.&nbsp;</p> <p>In March 2019, the FMI Foundation and PFSE released the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.saferecipeguide.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SafeRecipe-Styleguide-Print.pdf">Safe Style Recipe Guide</a>&nbsp;to support all consumers in developing, and inserting, specific food safety text that promotes positive cooking behaviors within recipes. This guide directly addresses four primary areas of concern in the home kitchen: (1) cooking/storage temperatures; (2) handwashing; (3) cross-contamination; and (4) produce handling.&nbsp;</p> <p>To accelerate the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fmi.org/family-meals-movement">Family Meals Movement</a>, FMI strongly encourages all retailers to spread the word about this contest. Recipes will be accepted until August 17, 2020.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Entering the Contest:</strong></p> <p>This contest is open for U.S. residents that can submit their recipe in the following four categories:&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li><strong>BAC Fighters</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; Health and Food Safety Educators, Nutrition Educators, Dietitians, Teachers or Cooperative Extension agents.</li> </ol> <ol> <li><strong>Food Writers/Bloggers</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; You must have an active blog or social media platform where you promote/post recipes.</li> <li><strong>Kids</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; Any youth ages 5 to 17. You must have parent/guardian permission to enter.&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Employees of Food Retailers and Grocery Stores</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; Your employer must be a member of FMI or the National Grocers Association (NGA) to enter.&nbsp;</li> </ol> <p><strong>Judging:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Taste: 25%</strong>&ndash;&nbsp;Is this recipe delicious from the first bite to the last? Does it have an interesting yet balanced flavor combination?&nbsp;Would you want to make this recipe over and over again based on taste alone?</li> <li><strong>Visual Appeal:</strong> <strong>&nbsp;25%</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; Does this recipe present beautifully on a plate or in a baking dish? Do your eyes make you want to eat this before you even smell or taste it?</li> <li><strong>Creativity:&nbsp;</strong> <strong>25%</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; Is this recipe an original idea or does it have a twist that makes it unique? Did it use common ingredients in an uncommon way? Was it fun to make?</li> <li><strong>Crowd Appeal: 25%</strong>&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;Was it easy to prepare within thirty (30) minutes? Will home cooks be inspired to try it? Will the entire family enjoy this meal?</li> </ul> <p><strong>Prizes:</strong></p> <ul> <li>One winner will be chosen from each of the four categories above for a cash prize of $50.</li> <li>The winning recipes will be featured in an online cookbook distributed to thousands of people through fightbac.org! Each category winner will be entered into the Grand Prize selection pool.</li> <li>The Grand Prize winner will:</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Receive a total $100 cash prize</li> <li>Be featured in the safe recipe&rsquo;s online cookbook</li> <li>Have their recipe developed into a professionally produced recipe video in English and Spanish.</li> </ul> <p>Consumers trust retailers to sell safe food, and FMI members can build upon this trust by providing consumers the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fightbac.org/food-safety-basics/the-core-four-practices/">foundational skills</a>&nbsp;needed to keep their family safe during home-cooked meals. To help inspire creative and forward-thinking approaches, PFSE has generously shared&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fightbac.org/safe-recipes-entrees/">sample recipes</a>&nbsp;that can assist our community in food safety recipe development.&nbsp;</p> <p>For more information on contest rules, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fightbac.org/30-minute-meals-safe-recipe-contest-rules/">https://www.fightbac.org/30-minute-meals-safe-recipe-contest-rules/</a></p> <a href="https://www.fightbac.org/safe-recipe-contest-submission-form/" class="button">Submit Recipe Here</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.

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OMEGA Members Receive a 3.4% discount

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