Washington Food Industry Association

08/05/2026

To Our WFIA Members,

Our thoughts are with all our members, employees, families, and communities impacted by the devastating wildfires and evacuations across Washington.

We know that many businesses are facing uncertainty as they work to protect their employees, care for their families, and continue serving their communities during this difficult time. The strength and resilience of Washington's food industry is evident every day, and we are grateful for all that you do.

Please know that you are not alone. If your business has been affected and you need assistance, information, or help connecting with available resources, the Washington Food Industry Association is here to support you. Whether you have questions about workforce concerns, regulatory issues, business recovery, or simply need help finding the right resource, we encourage you to reach out.

Most importantly, we encourage everyone to stay safe, follow evacuation orders, and look after yourselves, your families, and your employees.

If there is anything WFIA can do to assist you, please don't hesitate to contact us, [email protected] or [email protected]. We are stronger when we support one another. Our team is committed to helping our members navigate these challenges.

With sincere concern and support,
Tammie Hetrick
President & CEO
The Washington Food Industry Association Team

07/15/2026

Thank you Magnus Media Group Video Production for this amazing video from our event.

We are excited for next year so stay tuned!

If you aren't sure why as a retailer or vendor, you should attend t...

06/16/2026

Before any more time goes by, we want to thank all of our sponsors and golfers for spending the day with us on June 11 at Cedarcrest Golf Course. Without you, the day would not have been the success and full of fun that it was. Stay tuned, as pictures will be posted soon on our website at www.wafood.org. We will see you next year.

04/14/2026

As a vendor, if you have been considering participating in our annual Connect: Vendor-2-Retailer Event, now is the time to lock in your spot.

With 80+ retailer companies attending (many bringing multiple buyers) and an expected 100+ total attendees, this event is designed to help you make meaningful, one-on-one connections in a highly efficient format. Watch this video and see why this event is one you do not want to miss. https://youtube.com/shorts/a04vEmN15y4?feature=share

To register, visit our Events page on our website.

WFIA Connect Event: The Vendor Experience

03/17/2026

WFIA worked closely with legislators this session on the passage of HB 2334, which provides guidance and guardrails for brick and mortar retailers to round up or down to the nearest nickel on cash transactions. This bill is a much-needed fix for retailers in managing the U.S. Mint's recent cessation of the penny. Throughout the past several months, retailers across Washington have experienced challenges acquiring pennies from their banks and keeping pennies circulating in registers.

In an article about the bill in today's Seattle Times, WFIA president and CEO Tammie Hetrick was quoted: “We needed this legislation to support and protect our members as pennies are removed from circulation and we update our (point-of-sale) systems."

WFIA believes HB 2334 will provide clarity and confidence for both retailers and customers regarding rounding on cash transactions. Noncash transactions, such as credit-card and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) payments, will be unaffected.

Read more from Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton in the The Seattle Times at https://tinyurl.com/HB2334pennies.

As the U.S. says goodbye to pennies, Washington lawmakers have reached a solution for how local businesses should handle cents in cash transactions.

03/12/2026

Washington’s independent grocers and convenience stores play an essential role in combating food insecurity. This session, we were proud to support House Bill 2294, which prohibits negative use restrictions that would prevent property from being used for a grocery store or pharmacy. Special thanks to Rep. Darya Farivar for her leadership on this issue and for including independent grocers and convenience stores as a part of the solution. Watch the bill signing here:

Gov. Bob Ferguson holds a bill-signing ceremony at the state Capitol. The Governor took action on the following legislation: HB's 2554, 1604, 2088, 2107,

02/25/2026

Washington’s Lead in Cookware Act took effect Jan. 1 of this year to ensure the products used in both private residences and commercial kitchens are safe.

This new law will have broad unintended consequences across the cookware and kitchen appliance market, creating significant challenges for families and businesses throughout the state who depend on access to safe, affordable products. It also established a content standard without providing adequate resources for the Department of Ecology to identify, test and enforce the new law to root out unsafe products.

That is why a broad coalition of consumers, manufacturers, retailers, restaurants and, yes, grocery and convenience stores are pressing for Senate Bill 5975. Additional tweaks are necessary to implement the new law, giving state agencies the enforcement tools needed to keep dangerous products off the market.

WFIA has been a vocal advocate for SB 5975 this session. The bill passed out of the Senate on Feb. 17 by a vote of 42-7 and is currently under consideration in the House.

Read our joint column with Alesha Shemwell/ Washington Retail Association in the Washington State Standard:

COMMENTARY | Washington state lawmakers have a chance this session to improve on a new law that will help keep unsafe cookware and other kitchen products out of our homes and commercial kitchens.

02/10/2026

WFIA and Northwest Grocery Retail Association have a message for Olympia: stop piling on new costs. Thanks to Charlie Harger and Seattle's Morning News/KIRO 97.3 for spotlighting all these new costs and how they impact your grocery bills. "We keep saying we care about affordability. Olympia is full of speeches about helping working people. But if you make it more expensive to operate a grocery store, groceries get more expensive."

The Northwest Grocery Retail Association says the legislature is considering a whole stack of bills that would increase the cost of operating grocery stores in Washington.

01/28/2026

We’re hosting the WFIA Annual Golf Tournament on June 11, 2026 at Cedarcrest Golf Course in Marysville, WA, and we’d love to have you join us on the course and as a sponsor!

It’s a fun, high-energy day of golf, contests, networking, and good vibes. Think great brand exposure, face time with a fantastic crowd, and plenty of smiles on the fairway.

To register and for sponsorship opportunities, click this link https://www.wafood.org/wfia-annual-golf-tournament . We have new games and contests this year that you will not want to miss.

If you have any questions, email Connie Carlson at [email protected].

Don’t forget, our Connect: Vendor-2-Retail Event https://www.wafood.org/2026-connect-vendor-2-retailer is the day before and we are hosting our first HR/Labor Law & Workers’ Comp Update Workshop https://www.wafood.org/retro .

01/17/2026

📅 Save the Date!
WFIA is excited to announce Connect: Vendor-2-Retailer 2026, taking place June 10 at Tulalip Resort & Casino.

This one-day expo connects food industry vendors directly with retail buyers from across Washington State for meaningful, face-to-face conversations.

We’re now offering early access to sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, giving companies the chance to secure placement before general promotion begins.
🔗 Learn more & preview opportunities: https://birdease.com/WFIA

More details coming soon—we look forward to another impactful Connect event in 2026.