Alabama Grocers Association awards over $57,000 in scholarships
The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation (AGEF), the educational investment arm of the Alabama Grocers Association (AGA) awarded over $57,000 in scholarships to 60 employees or children of employees on Tuesday. The AGA is a state trade association that has been representing the retail food industry in Alabama since 1990. Since its beginning, “the AGA has grown to over 125 retail member companies, representing over 1,000 retail outlets, and over 225 manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers and other members,” the association’s website reads. 90 percent of grocery food retailers in the Yellowhammer State belong to the association. Of the 60 scholarships awarded: 39 were funded by the AGEF 18 were Piggyback Scholarships 3 were Endowed Scholarships “Our association members and other supporters of the Alabama Grocers Association make these scholarships possible,” Bob Crawford, Chairman, Board of Trustees, AGEF said in a press release. “The scholarships truly impact young student’s lives for the better.” According to the foundation, scholarships are awarded based on either their parents’ employment or their own part-time employment by firms which are members of the Alabama Grocers Association, in order to relieve AGA members and their children of some college expenses “The Alabama Grocers Foundation has been able to award more than $1.2 million in scholarships to date,” said President of the AGA, Ellie Smotherman Taylor in a press release. “The members of our association are excited to be supporting higher education efforts of Alabama’s students.” Here’s a full list of scholarship recipients: Rebecca Grace Wolfe Briarwood Christian School Andrew Kenneth Guillory Oak Mountain HS Bailey Elizabeth Crutcher Elkmont HS Sydney Campbell Athens HS Sophia Marie Ragusa John Carroll Catholic HS Kelli Irene Frye Gordon Lee Memorial HS Cade Dotson Hannah Silverdale Baptist Academy Lacee Mae Wallace Maplesville HS Jacob Tanner Uptain Curry HS Julian Makindle McGough Carbon Hill HS Zachary Seth Woder Curry HS Kaitlin Desiree Auble Curry HS Madison Grace Pavlovec Curry HS Alexandra Reed Dora HS Macie Caroline Walker Curry HS Hunter Bowden Williams Oakman HS Jacob Christian Woodard Cordova high school Chandler Grant McCosh McMinn Central HS Olivia Ryan Ashley Paulding County HS Quanisha Janay Trammell Madison Lynn Boyd Houston Academy Dominick Alan Dilleha Station Camp HS Nicolle Marie Stanfill George County HS Joseph Bernard Longmire Greenville HS Nikkolas “K’Shawn” Payne Greenville HS Amber Rose Ajlouny Hoover HS Tyler Douglas Stone Hoover HS Jade Ashton Ajlouny Hoover HS Amanda Abigail Anderson Buckhorn HS Alexander Kristian Jonczyk St John Paul II Catholic HS Reed Patrick Player Bob Jones HS Seth Crowder Weiss University School of Jackson Macy Anne Murray North Cobb Christian School Braden James Murray North Cobb Christian School Marcus Austin Bush Stanhope Elmore HS Neil Patrick Sullivan Baker HS Allison Leigh Culp Martin Luther King Jr Academic Magnet HS Emily Paige Winters North Jackson HS Reagan Michael Padgett Gardendale HS Keilyne Grace Sims Gardendale HS Kylie Brooke Lovett Haleyville HS Angel Janae Cagle Lynn HS Molly Grace Bradford A Crawford Mosley High School Nicolas Jonathan Scott Red Bay HS Anna C. Jackson Red Bay HS Lindsey Denise Holland Albertville HS Faith Ann Ford Sardis High School Raven Amber Edwards Calera HS Crimson Bailey Wilborn Sylvania HS Juan Lucio Contreras Fort Payne HS Joshua Neal Baine Fort Payne HS Anna Faye Freeman Sylvania HS Anthony Mikal Rio Mackie Tishomingo County HS Dakota Laine Belue Belmont High School Jensen Brianna Garrett Pike Liberal Arts Kamary Simone Sexton Booker T Washington HS Madelyn Virginia Martin West Orange HS Drew Parker Richardson Euphora HS Kendall Sherell Armstead Hueytown HS Neal Rogers Babb Franklin HS Chassity Angela Terrell Sparkman HS
Following the money: Who may be affected by Publix stopping political donations?
Despite supporters standing by them with a “#SupportPublix” movement. Publix supermarkets announced that they are suspending political contributions in response to a “die in” protest led by some Parkland school shooting survivors. Who might this affect in Alabama? According to Alabama’s Secretary of State’s contribution records Publix has given a total of $77,420 in political contributions since 2013. That is significantly lower than their massive $2,000,000 plus in contributions this cycle alone in the state of Florida where their headquarters are based. Of their money most went to the Alabama Retailers PAC which received $35,920. The Alabama Grocers Association which received $21,500, Alabama 2014 PAC (A conservative PAC run by Bob Reily) got $10,000 and COMP PAC (A workers compensation PAC) received $10,000. Who is Alabama Retail PAC endorsing this cycle? They just released their full list. For the state’s constitutional offices, RetailPAC endorses: Governor Kay Ivey* Lieutenant Governor: Twinkle Cavanaugh Attorney General Steve Marshall* Secretary of State John Merrill* State Treasurer: John McMillan For the Grocers Association? Their full list is on their website. For constitutional offices candidates endorsed by SACKPAC are: Governor – Kay Ivey (R) Lieutenant Governor – Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (R) Attorney General – Steve Marshall (R) Secretary of State – John Merrill (R) Treasurer – John McMillan (R) Commissioner, Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries – Rick Pate (R) We will continue following the Publix contributions story and will be updating the site with additional news as it breaks.
Here’s everyone the Alabama Grocers Association has endorsed in the 2018 election cycle
The food retail industry in Alabama provides over 69,000 jobs with over $2.2 billion in annual wages paid. Grocers pay over $1.2 billion in state taxes and have a total economic impact on the state’s economy of over $12 billion dollars, which is why the Alabama Grocers Association (AGA), the leading voice of the grocery industry in the state of Alabama, has officially made a bevy of endorsements for candidates who have opposition in the June 5 primary. Founded in 1990, AGA is dedicated to advocating for a business climate that creates, protects and promotes the grocery industry in Alabama. “We believe the following candidates understand the role of the grocery industry and its importance to the economy of the state of Alabama,” said Frank D’Amico, III, Alabama Grocers Association Chairman. “AGA is confident these candidates will be fair to our industry and represent the best choices in this primary election,” said Ellie Taylor, Alabama Grocers Association President. Here are the candidates who SACKPAC (the political arm of the AGA) has endorsed who they believe have the best record and pro-business attitude: U.S. Congress U.S. House of Representatives, District 2: Martha Roby (R) U.S.House of Representatives, District 4: Robert Aderholt (R) Statewide races Governor: Kay Ivey (R) Lieutenant Governor: Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (R) Attorney General: Steve Marshall (R) Secretary of State: John Merrill (R) Treasurer: John McMillan (R) Commissioner, Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries: Rick Pate (R) State Senate Races District 2: Tom Butler (R) District 7: Mary Scott Hunter (R) District 8: Steve Livingston (R) District 10: Craig Ford (I) District 12: Del Marsh (R) District 21: Gerald Allen (R) District 25: Will Barfoot (R) District 26: John Knight (D) District 33: Vivian Figures (D) District 34: Jack Williams (R) State House Races District 3: Humphrey Lee (R) District 9: Scott Stadthagen (R) District 10: Mike Ball (R) District 12: Corey Harbison (R) District 14: Tim Wadsworth (R) District 16: Kyle South (R) District 17: Phil Segraves (R) District 18: Jamie Kiel (R) District 19: Laura Hall (D) District 22: Ritchie Whorton (R) District 23: Tommy Hanes (R) District 27: Wes Kitchens (R) District 30: Robert McKay (R) District 31: Mike Holmes (R) District 32: Barbara Boyd (D) District 39: Ginny Shaver (R) District 42: James M. “Jimmy” Martin (R) District 45: Dickie Drake (R) District 48: Jim Carns (R) District 49: April Weaver (R) District 55: Roderick Scott (D) District 56: Louise Alexander (D) District 59: Mary Moore (D) District 61: Billy McFarland (R) District 64: Harry Shiver (R) District 73: Matt Fridy (R) District 77: Malcolm Calhoun (D) District 82: Pebblin Warren (D) District 85: Dexter Grimsley (D) District 89: Marcus Paramore (R) District 97: Adline Clark (D) District 102: Willie Gray (R) District 105: Chip Brown (R) Alabama Supreme Court Justice: Lyn Stuart (R) Associate Justice, Place 1: Brad Mendheim (R) Associate Justice, Place 4: Jay Mitchell (R) Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Place 1: Christy Edwards (R) Place 2: Judge Terri Thomas (R) lace 3: Judge Terry Moore (R) Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Place 1: Richard Minor (R) Place 2: Chris McCool (R) Place 3: Judge Bill Cole (R) Public Service Commission Place 1: Jeremy Oden (R) Place 2: Chris “Chip” Beeker, Jr. (R)
Here’s how ‘buying local’ could help Alabama cure pediatric cancer
Buying local throughout the month of September could help Alabama fight pediatric cancer. On Sept. 1, the Alabama Grocers Association, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, and the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association launch the “Buy Alabama’s Best” campaign, which encourages consumers to buy local for a cause. Designed to inform and educate consumers on what products are made, produced, manufactured and/or headquartered in the state of Alabama, the campaign will simultaneously raise money Children’s of Alabama cancer research by donating a portion of the proceeds. Throughout the month, retailers across Alabama will be supporting the campaign in their stores with Alabama product displays, ads, signage, special promotions and will sell Children’s of Alabama icons to support the fight to find a cure for pediatric cancer. All consumers need to do is look for the “Buy Alabama’s Best” logo under products to ensure they are buying products made in Alabama that support the initiative. “By supporting the local economy and purchasing products made in our state, folks can feel good about not only benefitting local industry but also helping to spread hope to Alabama families facing cancer,” said Emily Hornak, Community Development and Cause Marketing Manager at Children’s of Alabama. “We are so grateful to our community partners and the difference they are making through this campaign.” To date, the campaign’s efforts have raised over a quarter of a million dollars. For a complete list of Buy Alabama Best participating companies, visit buyalabamasbest.com.
Alabama Grocers celebrates 25 years, names annual award recipients
The Alabama Grocers Association held a celebration Wednesday in Birmingham to honor the year’s top Vendor, Retailer and Wholesaler of the Year Award Winners, as well as mark their 25th year advocating for the priorities of the state’s grocery retailers, manufacturers, brokers and wholesalers. State Rep. Lynn Greer and state Sen. Cam Ward were on hand for the annual fete held at The Club in downtown Birmingham, as was Deputy Director of the state’s Legislative Fiscal Office Mr. Kirk Fulford. The three participated in a legislative panel where they discussed the 2016 budget situation and some of the AGA’s policy priorities. The group, known as “the voice” of Alabama grocers, also gave awards to top-voted members in categories that represent the three legs of the grocery industry. The group named its Vendor of the Year Bob Crawford, President of United-Johnson Brothers of Alabama. Retailer of the Year was Mr. Chris Litz, Regional Director, West Region, Publix Super Markets. And David Bullard, President and CEO of Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company, took home the Wholesaler of the Year Award. The AGA claims some 135 retail members operating nearly 1,000 stores nationwide, as well as over 225 manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers and other members. According to the group, grocery stores generate over $3.6 billion in annual sales, employ 25,000 Alabamians jobs earning over $750 million in annual wages, andl pay in excess of $300 million in state and local taxes per year.
