Shelf Confidence

Access to food is about more than supply. It is about logistics, reliability, and meeting people where they are. In this episode of Shelf Confidence , the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Daniel Riff, Head of Government and Nonprofit Operations at PFMA member DoorDash, and Stuart I.R. Haniff, Executive Director of Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, to discuss Project DASH and the expa...

Agentic AI is moving from concept to real-world operations in retail. In this episode of Shelf Confidence , the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Mike Sanders, Chief Executive Officer of PFMA member Upshop, to break down what agentic AI actually means for day-to-day operations in the Food and Beverage Industry. The conversation explores how autonomous and semi-autonomous AI to...

Energy is one of the most critical inputs in the Food and Beverage Industry, yet it is often one of the least understood. In this episode of Shelf Confidence , the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Cheryl Hefft, Senior Manager at PFMA member World Kinect, and Jude Clemente, Energy Price Risk Manager, to discuss how operators can approach energy and fuel decisions more strategi...

Employee benefits and insurance decisions can feel complex, especially in the Food and Beverage Industry where margins are tight and workforces are diverse. In this episode of Shelf Confidence , the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Robert Stoudt, Employee Benefits Consultant at PFMA member Assured Partners, to break down how food and beverage employers can approach benefits s...

Food insecurity and food waste often exist side by side — and the Food and Beverage Industry sits at the center of both challenges. In this episode of Shelf Confidence , the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Evan Ehlers, Founder and Executive Director of PFMA member Sharing Excess, to explore how surplus food can move quickly and efficiently to communities that need it most. E...

Sustainability and energy innovation are becoming increasingly important for food and beverage businesses across Pennsylvania. In this episode of Shelf Confidence , the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Luca Pandolfi, Founder of PFMA member Woodland Biomass Innovations, to explore how renewable fuels and forest-based solutions could intersect with the Food and Beverage Industr...

In this episode of Shelf Confidence , the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Ray Sheehan, Founder of PFMA member Old City Media, to explore how experiential marketing helps brands connect directly with consumers in meaningful, measurable ways. Ray shares how Old City Media grew into a national experiential marketing partner, working with retailers and brands to create in-store...

Food insecurity touches every corner of Pennsylvania, and addressing it requires strong coordination across the entire food system. In the Season 9 premiere of Shelf Confidence , we’re joined by Feeding Pennsylvania, the statewide network of food banks serving all 67 counties across the Commonwealth. Julie Bancroft, Chief Executive Officer, and Ryan Prater, Director of Public Policy, join the conv...

In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we dive into the evolving world of workforce development in the convenience store industry. Join Jeff Kahler, CEO & President of Ready Training Online (RTO), Paul Rankin, Vice President of Retail Marketing at Country Fair, and Steve Seymor, Director of Personal, at Country Fair.  As they share how their organizations teamed up to elevate training for frontl...

In this special episode of Shelf Confidence, we're joined by William Brock, President and CEO of Straub Brewery, one of the oldest and most iconic breweries in the country. With over 150 years of brewing history in the heart of Pennsylvania, Straub has remained proudly independent, family-owned, and deeply connected to its community.  We’ll dive into the legacy of the brewery, the unique chal...

Wholesalers are the backbone of the food and beverage industry, yet most consumers rarely think about how products move from manufacturers to store shelves. In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we talk with Michael Gould, President of Scranton OpCo at Core-Mark, one of the largest and most established wholesale distributors in North America.  Michael shares how Core-Mark has adapted through more t...

The Pennsylvania Lottery is a familiar presence in convenience stores and supermarkets across the state—but there’s more happening behind the counter than most customers realize. In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we’re joined by Executive Director Drew Svitko and Deputy Executive Director of Sales & Retail Operations Eric Grubbs to talk about how the Lottery works with retailers, what’s cha...

In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we’re joined by three principals from Baker Tilly: Jeffrey Vrabel, Michael Milani, and Dave DuVarney. Together, they bring decades of experience across commercial strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and digital transformation.  We explore how middle market businesses—especially in the food and beverage space—are navigating growth, innovation, and change. From u...

In today’s digital world, cyber threats are more advanced than ever—and no business is immune. In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we sit down with CBIZ, a leading provider of business advisory, tax, and risk management solutions, to explore how companies can protect themselves against cybercrime. From ransomware attacks to data breaches, businesses of all sizes face growing risks in an increasin...

In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we sit down with Reza Mahmoodi, CEO and co-founder of LottoShield—a game-changing lottery management platform designed by retailers, for retailers. Reza shares how his experience running gas stations led to the idea behind LottoShield, and how the company is now helping thousands of stores across the U.S. automate inventory, prevent theft, and simplify lottery...

In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we explore GIANT’s workforce development partnership with Central Penn College. Now in its 5th year and 6th cohort, this custom 5-week, 18-credit program is equipping GIANT’s managers with the skills to lead. We’re joined by Curtis Voelker (Central Penn), Dr. Jack Babinchak (Instructor), Anthony Amadure (GIANT), and a program alum to discuss the program’s impac...

In this episode of Shelf Confidence, Mitch Goldstein, Director of Sales & Customer Success at Skyhawk, discusses how electronic remote monitoring is transforming food production. Learn about the industry's biggest challenges, the power of real-time data, and the future of IoT in ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency. Tune in for insights at the intersection of technology and food sa...

Jacob Long, Business Manager at MarketSquare Tech, joins Shelf Confidence to discuss how the DeliLabel app is streamlining food labeling processes. Learn how innovative solutions inspired by real-world challenges are helping businesses improve efficiency, reduce waste, and stay compliant.  #ShelfConfidence #PFMAPodcast #FoodLabeling #TechInnovation #RetailSolutions #EfficiencyMatters #DeliLabel #M...

In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we’re joined by Lauren Kennedy, VP of Customer Success at Upshop, to explore the evolving challenges in retail store operations. From sustainability goals to the rise of data-driven decision-making, we’ll discuss how the industry is adapting to meet the demands of modern consumers while staying competitive in a rapidly changing landscape. Tune in for expert ins...

In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we chat with John Wesolowski, President of PFMA member Milazzo Industries, about navigating the unique challenges of seasonal products and the growing demand for pet-friendly, eco-conscious solutions. From the story behind their signature Qik Joe ice melt to practical winter prep tips and insights on adapting to climate change, John shares how Milazzo Industrie...

In this episode of Shelf Confidence, Guy Yehiav, President of #PFMA member SmartSense by Digi, discusses how IoT technologies are transforming food safety across the supply chain. Learn how these tools enhance monitoring, empower employees, and address challenges for businesses of all sizes while keeping up with regulatory demands.  Guests: Guy Yehiav, President of SmartSense by Digi  #FoodSafety...

In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we’re joined by a panel of Pennsylvania’s independent grocery leaders—Andrea Karns (Karns Quality Foods), Tom Charley (Charley Family Shop'N Save), and Seth Weaver (Weaver’s of Wellsville). Together, we discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing independent grocers, from evolving consumer trends to sustainability and community engagement. Gain...

In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we are joined by Ben Kuethe Oaks, vice president of customer solutions and success, and Chris Thomas, vice president of public affairs, at Divert Inc. Divert is a leading impact technology company dedicated to eliminating food waste and transforming it into renewable energy. With over 6,600 partnerships across the U.S., Divert combines cutting-edge technologies...

In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we talk with Jon Norton, regional vice president of sales at ZeroEyes, to discuss a proactive solution for gun detection and situational awareness in the food and beverage industry. Norton explains how ZeroEyes uses AI software integrated with existing security cameras to identify visible firearms and quickly alert local law enforcement and retail staff. The co...

In this episode of "Shelf Confidence," we sit down with Dave Simonetti of Wawa to explore the impactful practice of hiring employees with intellectual disabilities. Dave shares Wawa’s journey and success stories, highlighting the company's commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace. Discover how businesses can benefit from a diverse workforce and learn practical tips for creatin...