National Grocers Association (NGA)

WITCHITA, Kan. -- Tom Hayes, president of Cargill Meat Solutions here, will offer his perspective on translating corporate value into sustained action in his keynote address at the American Meat Institute Foundation's Animal Care and Handling Conference, coming in late March.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- George W. Griffin, chairman emeritus of London, Ky.-based wholesaler Laurel Grocery Co., was recently honored as the first inductee into the Kentucky Grocers Hall of Fame by the Kentucky Grocers Association/Kentucky Association of Convenience Stores (KGA/KACS), based here.

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has pledged to ensure that country of origin labeling "is implemented as Congress intended," according to a position paper on the Kerry-Edwards 2004 Campaign Web site.

Enthusiastic participants have gained a lot more than fond memories from this year's NGA convention.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed the Omnibus Appropriations bill, which officially delays enforcement of the current mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) law for two years, until Sept. 30, 2006. The bill now moves to the President for signature.

WASHINGTON - Associations for the nation's leading produce, beef, pork and seafood producers, along with food retailers and wholesalers, are joining forces to craft a cost-effective, voluntary program that would provide consumers country of origin information.

WASHINGTON - A report by the General Accounting Office released this week suggests that the USDA's estimates of the cost of mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) are "questionable and not well supported."

The Asparagus Club gives back to its industry and community through its scholarship program.