The Annual Membership meeting was held on October 19 in conjunction with the Maine Food Means Business Summit.  The membership adopted a new three-year Strategic Plan and elected Sheila Gibbons, Pine State Trading Co., Maine Spirits, Jon Dube, Snyder’s Lance and Sue Johnson, Associated Grocers of New Hampshire as new Board Directors.

Outgoing Board Directors, Mike Violette, Associated Grocers of New England, Kevin Kinney, Save-a-Lot, Dave Dickey, Snyder’s Lance, Bob Cooper, Pine State Trading Co. and Doug Carr, Carr Consulting were recognized for their service.

In his address, Board President Jim Lesser asked current and former Board Directors and Committee volunteers to stand to be recognized.  Well over 40 people stood which illustrates continued member engagement in the MGFPA.  He also issued a Call to Action – seeking volunteers to serve on MGFPA Committees.  Want more information?  Call 207.622.4461 or send an email to Shelley@mgfpa.org.

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October  26 and November 10, 9:30 a.m. to noon.

SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME

Click to Register.

Maine statutes incorporate by reference the salary requirements under the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA). Maine employers who currently claim overtime exemptions for their employees who work in a “bona fide executive, administrative or professional capacity” will be required to comply with the new rules for these categories of workers effective December 1, 2016. This class will provide an overview of the overtime requirements including the application of state law and discuss the changes required by the new rules and the differences between federal and state overtime requirements.

Click here for more information about the new federal overtime rules as relate to Maine employers.

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Governor Paul LePage received a letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture highlighting the newly passed federal legislation regarding the specific clause that preempts states from implementing their own GMO labeling regulations.  The letter also makes note that the USDA will shortly begin rule making to set in place a national standard for the labeling of genetically engineered products.  Maine’s GMO labeling law which is not in effect remains on the books but will not be implemented.

To read the letter, click here.

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