Kellogg's Dave Jones (left) receives NGA's Industry Service Leadership Award from the organization's president and CEO, Greg Ferrara
NGA Service Award
Additionally, NGA has presented its Industry Service Leadership Award to Dave Jones, who recently retired from Battle Creek, Mich.-based Kellogg Co. after 33 years. Jones began his career with Kellogg in 1986 and in 2009 became its VP of industry initiatives.
“Dave has always had a strong passion for independent grocers, ensuring a vibrant marketplace for retailers and consumers,” noted Ferrara. “His legacy will live on at NGA through his work on NGA’s Creative Choice Awards Program, which he helped cultivate over the years. He and his wife, Mari, have also supported the Women Grocers of America for many years, supporting our industry’s female leaders. We are pleased to honor Dave for his long career and dedication to the independent supermarket industry.”
Jones received his award on Nov. 7 during the NGA and Retailer Owned Foods Distributors & Associates (ROFDA) Fall Meetings at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
The meetings brought together senior decision-makers and business leaders from across the supermarket industry in a business-to-business meetings, education sessions and networking opportunities for attendees to discuss strategies to spur profitability and growth.
Leftover product from participating companies went to BEAM, a community-based organization serving low-income residents in the beach communities of Jacksonville, Fla.
SpartanNash’s core businesses include distributing grocery products to a diverse group of independent and chain retailers, its corporate-owned retail stores and U.S. military commissaries and exchanges, as well as fresh produce distribution and fresh food processing. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based company serves customer locations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Bahrain, Djibouti and Egypt, and operates 160 supermarkets, mainly under the Family Fare Supermarkets, Martin’s Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, VG's Grocery, Dan’s Supermarket, and Family Fresh Market banners. Additionally, through its MDV military division, SpartanNash is a leading distributor of grocery products to U.S. military commissaries. The company is No. 33 on Progressive Grocer’s 2019 Super 50 list of the top grocers in the United States.