Posts Categorized: News

Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association Welcomes New Endorsed Class Action Settlement Claims Partner

March 13, 2024 (Augusta, Maine)— The Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association (MGFPA) has partnered with DCap Claims — a 3rd party filer of business-to-business settlement claims. DCap is our trusted partner to help members recover swipe fees from the $5.54 billion Visa/Mastercard class action and antitrust settlements for all eligible merchants who accepted Visa/Mastercard credit cards between January 1, 2004 and January 25, 2019.

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MAINE BUSINESS RELIEF FUND ANNOUNCED

In the wake of December 18th’s devastating storm, affectionately dubbed the “Grinch,” the Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association (MGFPA) and Retail Association of Maine (RAM) are taking proactive steps to support the numerous businesses affected across the state. The storm brought severe flooding, road washouts, and prolonged power outages, resulting in substantial losses for retailers, grocers, restaurants, and other small enterprises.  We will be providing up to $2,500 in grant allocations with the opportunity to reapply for up to $10,000 (as funds become available). Applications will open January 4, 2024 at 10am EST through January 31, 2024 at 12am EST. For more information visit: mainebusinessrelieffund.com

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New Retail Career Pathways Partnership Offers Recruitment and Training Opportunities to Enhance Skills and Aid in Professional Development

AUGUSTA, MAINE – The Maine Business Education Partnership (MBEP) has been selected as one of the six organizations to receive funding from the Maine Department of Labor’s ‘Industry Partnership Workforce Development’ grant. The grant provides funding “to create a pipeline of workers through structured career pathways within sectors that can continually provide businesses with employees and Maine people with good-paying job opportunities.”

For more information, download the summary slide deck and visit retailcareersforme.com

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Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association Honors the late Paul Landry of Landry’s Shop ‘n Save as the 2022 Impact Award Recipient

AUGUSTA, MAINE – December 30, 2022 – The Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association (MGFPA) is proud to recognize the late Paul Landry, owner of Landry’s Shop ‘n Save in Old Orchard Beach, as the honoree of the MGFPA 2022 Impact Award. Formerly titled the Grocer, Associate, and Food Producer of the Year Awards, this prestigious award is presented annually to a member who exemplifies excellence in the industry. Now exclusively awarded to one winner each year, the winner is chosen by meeting specific criteria including contributions to MGFPA’s advocacy mission, community service, business excellence through providing a positive workplace, increase in overall sales, and supporting the industry via legislative or educational activities. In addition, the annual award winner demonstrates a commitment to cultivating opportunities for other Maine businesses to grow.

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Upcoming Labor Law Changes in 2023

In preparation for the new year, the Maine Department of Labor is reminding employers of upcoming labor law changes, such as updates to minimum wage and vacation payout.

Maine’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $13.80 Per Hour in 2023

Pursuant to Maine law (Maine statute Title 26, chapter 7, section 664), effective January 1, 2023, the state minimum wage will increase from $12.75 to $13.80 per hour, based on data recently made available by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Maine law, amended by citizen’s referendum in 2016, requires annual adjustments to the minimum wage based on the cost-of-living index (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region.

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