**Washington**: Leaders from Retailer Owned Food Distributors and Associates (ROFDA) highlight the benefits of shared educational resources and collaborative practices, essential for navigating industry challenges and enhancing operational efficiencies ahead of the impending Food Safety Modernization Act deadline in January 2026.
Leaders from Retailer Owned Food Distributors and Associates (ROFDA) are recognising the significant advantages of sharing educational resources within their network, promoting a culture of collaboration and knowledge exchange among independent grocers. This sentiment was expressed by Ray Sprinkle, president and CEO of URM Stores Inc., who noted the accessibility of his peers in the organisation when he encounters challenges. Speaking to The Shelby Report, he elaborated on this support, saying, “My peer group is fantastic, and they are readily available to me if I’ve got a situation that I have questions about.”
Recently, URM Stores Inc. conducted a warehouse tour for a fellow ROFDA member to observe software operations in a real-world context, subsequently hosting a backhaul conference. Sprinkle highlighted his company’s ongoing initiative to expand backhaul operations, which has been in progress for three years. He discussed the valuable insights gained about optimising operations, enhancing service levels, and increasing profitability through improved logistics.
As the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA 204) implementation deadline approaches in January 2026, Sprinkle underscored the importance of collaborative information sharing. “With the Food Safety Modernization Act about a year or so away from being implemented, we’re all collaborating on best practices and what we are doing to be compliant… to ensure the safety of all products that we ship to the independents,” he explained.
Dan Funk, president and CEO of Associated Wholesale Grocers and another ROFDA board member, also reflected on the benefits of the organisation. He remarked that it provides valuable opportunities for networking and relationship building among competitor companies, ultimately fostering a spirit of collaboration. Funk shared, “It provides a group of peer companies for networking and relationship building, while still being able to compete.” He noted that his participation has yielded insight into both successes and challenges, which in turn strengthens business practices for each member.
Funk further emphasised the growth opportunities for vendor partners arising from ROFDA engagement, noting that numerous vendor decisions have been informed through the knowledge shared in meetings and presentations. He stated, “I have also really enjoyed seeing the ROFDA retailer share group continue to grow ideas and solutions from our retail members who participate.”
Michael Violette, president and CEO of Associated Grocers of New England and current chair of the ROFDA board, reflected on his experience as a new CEO in 2016. He found the network of ROFDA senior management invaluable, explaining that consulting experienced leaders facilitated his transition into his position. “As a new CEO, it can sometimes feel uncomfortable or impractical to seek advice from those within your own organization… the wisdom and guidance I received from them was invaluable,” he said.
Violette emphasised the unique relationships forged within ROFDA, which extend beyond mere business interactions. He noted, “There’s a genuine interest in helping one another succeed, and these connections are often more personal and heartfelt…” This close-knit environment has fostered initiatives like AGNE’s Shelf Management Services (SMS) department, which was inspired by another ROFDA member’s success. “Seeing the value of their experience, we at AGNE adopted and adapted the SMS program for our retailers, which has proven to be mutually beneficial to all involved,” Violette explained.
The ongoing collaboration, transparency, and idea sharing within ROFDA are distinguishing features of the organisation, contributing significantly to its members’ ongoing success and operational improvements.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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