About
The Georgia Food Industry Association (GFIA) has represented the grocery industry since 1912. GFIA is the only Georgia association that is solely dedicated to advocate legislative and regulatory fairness for the food industry. GFIA works daily to limit the adverse impacts of intrusive government regulations.
Through our work at the Capitol, various networking events and educational training opportunities, GFIA is committed to promoting and strengthening the food industry. With over 400 members consisting of retailers, wholesalers and suppliers, GFIA is truly “The Voice of the Food Industry in Georgia.”
History
The Georgia Food Industry Association started over a century ago when a group of independent retailers came together as the Georgia Food Dealers Association, understanding that they could accomplish more together than on their own. In 1979, the Georgia Food Dealers Association became the Georgia Grocers Association, and in 1992, its present name was adopted.
The grocery industry certainly looked different in those early years. The founding retailers could never have imagined a day where technology played such an important role in running a store, competition was so tough, and margins were so low. They did recognize that regulations and politics could impede their progress, and that remains true today. GFIA remains as the only state association in Georgia solely dedicated to advocate for legislative and regulatory fairness for the food industry.
As Georgia’s grocery landscape changed through the years, so did the Association. In the fifties, there were regional associations in Albany, Atlanta, Macon and Savannah representing the hundreds of independent retailers across the state. There are certainly a lot fewer retail companies in the food business today, although it seems like everyone is in the business of selling food. Staying competitive and relevant gets tougher every day, and GFIA is an important partner, allowing you to concentrate on your core business.
The Georgia Food Industry Association (GFIA) has represented the grocery industry since 1912. GFIA is the only Georgia association that is solely dedicated to advocate legislative and regulatory fairness for the food industry. GFIA works daily to limit the adverse impacts of intrusive government regulations.
Through our work at the Capitol, various networking events and educational training opportunities, GFIA is committed to promoting and strengthening the food industry. With over 400 members consisting of retailers, wholesalers and suppliers, GFIA is truly “The Voice of the Food Industry in Georgia.”
History
The Georgia Food Industry Association started over a century ago when a group of independent retailers came together as the Georgia Food Dealers Association, understanding that they could accomplish more together than on their own. In 1979, the Georgia Food Dealers Association became the Georgia Grocers Association, and in 1992, its present name was adopted.
The grocery industry certainly looked different in those early years. The founding retailers could never have imagined a day where technology played such an important role in running a store, competition was so tough, and margins were so low. They did recognize that regulations and politics could impede their progress, and that remains true today. GFIA remains as the only state association in Georgia solely dedicated to advocate for legislative and regulatory fairness for the food industry.
As Georgia’s grocery landscape changed through the years, so did the Association. In the fifties, there were regional associations in Albany, Atlanta, Macon and Savannah representing the hundreds of independent retailers across the state. There are certainly a lot fewer retail companies in the food business today, although it seems like everyone is in the business of selling food. Staying competitive and relevant gets tougher every day, and GFIA is an important partner, allowing you to concentrate on your core business.
Advocacy
The number one priority of GFIA has always been to advocate for the grocery industry. As the industry has changed over the years, so has the need for stronger legislative representation. Each year, we save our members thousands of dollars by working with regulatory agencies to streamline and improve governmental compliance, and by educating our state legislators about the impact of pending legislation to Georgia grocers and their suppliers. As an industry watchdog, GFIA has tackled many issues critical to our members’ success. Whether we are expanding SNAP benefit distribution dates, opposing increases in license fees, fighting burdensome product labeling laws, passing Sunday sales legislation or working to reform the WIC program, GFIA is advocating for your business.
The number one priority of GFIA has always been to advocate for the grocery industry. As the industry has changed over the years, so has the need for stronger legislative representation. Each year, we save our members thousands of dollars by working with regulatory agencies to streamline and improve governmental compliance, and by educating our state legislators about the impact of pending legislation to Georgia grocers and their suppliers. As an industry watchdog, GFIA has tackled many issues critical to our members’ success. Whether we are expanding SNAP benefit distribution dates, opposing increases in license fees, fighting burdensome product labeling laws, passing Sunday sales legislation or working to reform the WIC program, GFIA is advocating for your business.
Events
Over the last twenty years, the GFIA board of directors and staff have worked diligently to expand the organization through strengthening our legislative program and networking events. GFIA hosts a number of events throughout the year to raise money for our political representation and to provide terrific networking opportunities for our members. Our convention, golf tournaments, holiday party and other events give our members the experiences they have grown to love, while helping to build personal and professional relationships within the industry.
Over the last twenty years, the GFIA board of directors and staff have worked diligently to expand the organization through strengthening our legislative program and networking events. GFIA hosts a number of events throughout the year to raise money for our political representation and to provide terrific networking opportunities for our members. Our convention, golf tournaments, holiday party and other events give our members the experiences they have grown to love, while helping to build personal and professional relationships within the industry.
GFIA Education Foundation
Programs such as the Georgia Food Industry Education Foundation (GFIEF), founded in 1995, have also helped the association grow. The Foundation has provided over one million dollars in scholarship funding to students within the industry, and continues to expand its offerings each year. Additionally, the Foundation hosts two educational seminars for independent retailers each year, and also funds popular and relevant speakers at the annual GFIA convention. Our newest offering is online alcohol training seminars. These seminars include training for local alcohol legislation, and the Foundation offers a reimbursement program that makes the online training classes free to our retail members!
Programs such as the Georgia Food Industry Education Foundation (GFIEF), founded in 1995, have also helped the association grow. The Foundation has provided over one million dollars in scholarship funding to students within the industry, and continues to expand its offerings each year. Additionally, the Foundation hosts two educational seminars for independent retailers each year, and also funds popular and relevant speakers at the annual GFIA convention. Our newest offering is online alcohol training seminars. These seminars include training for local alcohol legislation, and the Foundation offers a reimbursement program that makes the online training classes free to our retail members!
Where else can you get so much advocacy, legislative representation, and industry education for the price of an annual membership? It’s the best investment you will make all year!