Weekly Checkout July 21, 2016
Convention Success!

"Under the Big Top," another exciting GFIA convention, concluded Saturday night and we want to share some of the highlights with you!
Kroger's Mike Faulk Wins Prestigious Legacy Award

This year's Legacy Award was awarded to a very humble and surprised Mike Faulk, District L Operations Manager for the Kroger Company. A former Trustee and Chairman of GFIA's Education Foundation, Mike Faulk has worked tirelessly to provide scholarship opportunities for young people in the food industry. Look for an expanded story on Mike and other convention events in next month's newsletter.
Convention Attendees Prepare 3,000 Bags 
of Food for Hungry Children

GFIA attendees showed their generosity by partnering with Second Harvest to prepare nutritious bags of food for underprivileged children. Thank you to the companies that provided the food, and to the adults, children and legislative guests who participated in this fun and worthwhile event!
Coca-Cola Refreshments and 
Mondelez International Take Top Honors

Each year, the GFIA's secret panel of guest judges chooses a winner for companies exhibiting in two categories: single booths and multi booths. This year's winners stood out among some tough competition!

Congratulations to this year's GFIA Booth Contest winners:
Coca-Cola Refreshments- Multi booth category
Mondelez International- Single booth category
Matthew Head, Publix Super Markets, Inc.,
is Georgia's Best Bagger!

Matthew Head will represent Georgia at NGA in Las Vegas, after beating a talented group of competitors in GFIA's annual best bagger competition. Judged on speed, proper bagging techniques, weight distribution and style, this year's contestants competed in front of hundreds of screaming fans.

Congratulations to the following baggers who represented their company so well:

Lawrence Buchanan, Quality Foods
Kevin Davis, The Kroger Company
Matthew Head, Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Kendall Nelson, Food City
Education Foundation Auctions Raise over $173,000
-Breaking All Records!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

For those of you who donated items and for those who bid on items--the GFIA thanks you!

Between a terrific silent auction that included everything from designer purses, wines, electronics, a live auction with dinners, and outings donated by our generous members, there was something for EVERYONE!

This record breaking year will make it possible for the education foundation to continue their great work of providing scholarships and other educational opportunities for our members. Look for exciting things to come! Look for an expanded story in the upcoming newsletter.
New Leadership Inducted at Convention

New leadership for the GFIA and Foundation boards was inducted at the convention. Mike Coggins of Sherwood Foods is GFIA's new Vice Chairman. Jimmy Tryon is the 2016-2017 Education Foundation Chairman, with Jamie Leggiero of Pepsi Beverages Company serving as Vice Chair. We look forward to working with these new leaders, and our new board members.

Congratulations to the following new board members: Greg Edenfield, Wayfield Foods, who was elected to replace his father, Ron Edenfield. Thanks to the Edenfield family for their years of commitment to the GFIA! Also, congratulations to Deana Collins, The Kroger Company, who is replacing David Wells.

New trustees include: Julie Barnes Scott, Bimbo Bakeries USA; Scott Boomershine, The Kroger Company; Todd Lindley, Sunset Farm Foods; Dan Kelly, Georgia Crown Distributing Company; Jackie Miller, Milo's Tea Company; Babs Paine, Leon Farmer & Company and Glen Wilkins, Walmart. We are excited to have you on board!

Many thanks to the following trustees who rolled off the board this year: Scott Blackwell, Trinchero Family Estates; Tim Crain, Garden Fresh Gourmet; Mike Parrott, Colorado Boxed Beef and Foundation Chair, Donna Garcia, Jana North America, Inc. 

Advertising Opportunities Available in 
Expanded August Issue of our ExpressLine Newsletter!

Would you like to send a congratulatory message to a convention winner? 

How about featuring your ad in a popular publication sent to over 1,800 recipients in Georgia's grocery industry?

We are excited to bring you an expanded convention issue of GFIA's ExpressLine with limited advertisement opportunities. Don't miss out! Contact Kim Peterson for details. 
Calendar of Events

Independent Education Seminar
TBD

Fall Golf
Wednesday, October 19
Mirror Lake Country Club
Villa Rica, GA

Holiday Extravaganza
Tuesday, November 29
The Cobb Galleria Centre
Atlanta, GA

Spring Golf
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Mirror Lake Country Club
Villa Rica, GA
Georgia Food Industry Association | P: (770) 438-7744 | F: (770) 438-7761 | www.gfia.org