Progressive Grocer - January/February 2010 - (Page 72)

GMA Director’s Note Spearheading innovation and positive change Leading the Charge The Grocery Manufacturers Association and its member companies are dedicated to providing responsible solutions to the economic, political and social challenges facing the CPG industry — and humankind. By Pamela G. Bailey W hen it comes to the political arena in Washington, most of us see the same thing: the 30,000-foot view. We see and talk about the contentious debates taking place on health care reform, energy policy and the economy. changing global food supply. As the foundation of its strategy, GMA and its member companies have developed a new, constructive paradigm for engaging policymakers on food safety legislation. Under the new operating model, GMA was the chief proponent of modernizing our food safety system. We were open to the concept of new regulations if they would raise the food safety bar and bolster consumer confidence.We provided thought leadership and the technical expertise that helped frame comprehensive food safety legislation based on prevention. We reached out to industry and consumer groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Consumer Federation of America to foster an open dialogue and reach consensusdriven food safety modernization legislation. Safety First But while national attention is focused on those issues, important decisions are being made on a number of fronts that affect not only the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, but also consumers in the United States and around the globe.And the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) is on the front lines, providing the leadership its members expect. GMA exists to help its member companies innovate, connect with consumers and provide responsible solutions to the major social issues of our age. One important way we fulfill that mission is through our thoughtful but ambitious leadership in the public policy arena. There’s no better example of GMA leadership than in relation to the issue of product safety. Because product safety is the foundation of everything this industry does, GMA and its member companies have stepped up their efforts to respond to the complex, rapidly More ONLINE GMA is working on several fronts in the product safety arena, including our nation’s energy policy and environmental issues. For more legislative news from the organization, visit www.progressivegrocer. com/GMADirector. All of our hard work paid off initially in June 2009, when the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2749, The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. The bill received tremendous support from both sides of the political aisle, and has been hailed as the most significant food safety legislation in 50 years. Now the U.S. Senate is taking up the food A H E A D O F W H AT ’ S N E X T safety cause. The full Senate is expected to soon deliberate and vote on S. 510, The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009.This comprehensive food safety proposal represents a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to modernize our food safety laws and restore the public’s faith in our food safety system. Also, in the product safety arena, GMA is taking the lead with respect to the way our nation governs the use of chemicals. In 2010, Congress is expected to evaluate and modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), America’s 30year-old mechanism for regulating chemicals. TSCA is outdated, and its modernization is particularly important to the companies that manufacture household and personal care products. That’s why GMA and its coalition allies have developed an innovative strategy for rising above the day-to-day arguments over the latest scientific study and toward a consensusdriven framework for managing the use of chemicals in the future. To make this goal a reality, we’re working with policymakers from both parties. We have formed a coalition of consumer products companies and trade associations — including the Consumer Specialty Products Association and the Soap and Detergent Association — to develop a chemicals management framework that’s less confusing and that consumers can count on to help protect them for years to come. Pamela G. Bailey is president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association in Washington. www.progressivegrocer.com • Progressive Grocer • January/February 2010 http://www.progressivegrocer.com/GMADirector http://www.progressivegrocer.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Progressive Grocer - January/February 2010

Progressive Grocer - January/February 2010
Contents
Nielsen’s Shelf Stoppers/Spotlight
Progressive Grocer’s Outstanding Independents Awards: Independent Inspiration
Outstanding Regional Retailer: All Together Now
Outstanding Community-based Retailer: Sharing the Vision
Outstanding Independent Wholesaler:Values for Growth
Independents Report: A Lasting Legacy of Leadership and Inspiration
Fresh Perspectives: Spartan’s Fresh Outlook
Produce: Priced to Move
Refrigerated Meat: A Great (Meaty) Start
Frozen Seafood: Reel it In
Beverage Alcohol: Let it Pour
OTC Medications: Extended Flu Season
FutureTech: Going Mobile
Retail Profile: Food Lion: Renewed
GMA Director’s Note: Leading the Charge
Best Practices: A New Approach to Knowledge
Food Marketing Insights: Got Talent?
Upcoming Events: International Eats
What’s Next

Progressive Grocer - January/February 2010