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Posts from the ‘Food/Bev’ Category

4
Jun

How Dairy Management Spends Revenue (2023)

Dairy Management Inc (DMI) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (6) whose purpose is to promote dairy products in order to increase consumption of dairy products.

Funded by a mandate by Congress, DMI is what is referred to as a “check off program” where all producers have to contribute funds for the good of the industry. Dairy producers are required to contribute 15 cents per 100 pounds (foreign dairy producers are required to contribute 7.5 cents per 100 pounds) which equates to about 1.5 cents per gallon of milk, all of which adds up to about $150-$180 million annually (which is then spent on marketing (about 60%), administrative organization expenses (about 30%) and export expenses (about 10%). Read more »

22
Dec

Executive Compensation at the American Beverage Association (2022)

The American  Beverage Association is a Washington, DC-based non-profit 501 (c) (6) trade association representing America’s non-alcoholic beverage industry. Originally established in 1919 as the American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages, the organization was renamed the National Soft Drink Association in 1966, when the soft drink market began growing rapidly in the USA.

In 2004, the organization’s name was changed to the American Beverage Association (ABA), which coincidently was about the time negative press was on the upswing calling out the soft drink industry for the copious amount of sugar and high fructose corn syrup in soft drinks. In subsequent years, as the government imposed taxes on these beverages siting the lack of nutritional benefits and the great cost to the consumer and the health care industry, the ABA has fought attempts by stepping up their lobbying efforts. Read more »

20
Dec

How the American Beverage Association Spends $100 Million Annually

The American  Beverage Association is a Washington, DC-based non-profit 501 (c) (6) trade association representing America’s non-alcoholic beverage industry. Originally established in 1919 as the American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages, the organization was renamed the National Soft Drink Association in 1966, when the soft drink market began growing rapidly in the USA.

In 2004, the organization’s name was changed to the American Beverage Association (ABA), which coincidently was about the time negative press was on the upswing calling out the soft drink industry for the copious amount of sugar and high fructose corn syrup in soft drinks. In subsequent years, as the government imposed taxes on these beverages siting the lack of nutritional benefits and the great cost to the consumer and the health care industry, the ABA has fought attempts by stepping up their lobbying efforts. Read more »

20
Aug

Executive Compensation at the National Confectioners Association (2023)

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) is tax-exempt, non-profit trade association (501 (c) 6) that promotes chocolate, candy, gum, and mints along with the companies that make these treats. Based in Washington, DC, the NCA focuses on 7 key areas:

  • Public Policy and Government Affairs
  • Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
  • Industry Affairs and the Sweets & Snacks Expo
  • International Business Development
  • Meetings and Membership
  • Public Affairs and Communications
  • Administration and Finance

Read more »

16
Jul

Executive Compensation at the National Restaurant Association (2022)

The National Restaurant Association had a windfall of about $170 million in 2018 when they sold the “National Restaurant Association Show” to a unrelated private company Winsight, LLC – an information services company focused on the food and beverage industry. Consideration received included a promissory note (about $150 million of which $127 million was written off in 2020 with $90 million put back on the books in 2021) and an equity investment in Winsight, LLC which appears to have been sold in 2022 with a gain of $37 million (this appears to be the difference between the original write-off of $127 million in 2020 and the recovery of the $90 million note in 2021). A sponsorship agreement provides annual royalty payments equal to 2% of the gross revenues of the show for 45 years, beginning in 2019, which appear to stop after the sale. Read more »

6
Jul

Executive Compensation at the Robin Hood Foundation (2022)

The Robin Hood Foundation (RHF) – a 501 (c) (3) based in New York City – is an organization that primarily awards grants to organizations fighting poverty by providing food, shelter, and healthcare and by helping people lift themselves out of poverty. They do this primarily by awarding grants (in 2022, the organization collected $129 million in revenue and awarded $131 million in grants) and reported $34 million in organization expenses (which is reportedly paid for by the 42 board members – an average of $800,000 each to fully cover operational expenses).

In 2021, there was a shakeup at RHF with the departure of Wes Moore, the CEO (for four years)  and several other highly compensated employees (Derek Ferguson, Kristine Sudano, Beth Zolkind, and Sheila Kelly). Richard Buery was named the new CEO. The reasons for the departure are unclear but could be due to the deterioration in net assets.

In 2022, RHF had 162 employees who were compensated $23 million, which equates to an average compensation of $142,000. However, only 56 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation. The 13 most highly compensated individuals were: Read more »

4
Jul

Where Does $100 to the Robin Hood Foundation Go (2022)?

The Robin Hood Foundation (RHF) is not a “rob from the rich, give to the poor” organization although RHF is known for having a wealthy Board of Directors who financially support the organization so that donations can be used to help alleviate poverty in New York City. How does RHF do this?  Primarily by providing grants to other non-profits who provide food, shelter and health services along with education so that people can lift themselves out of poverty.

In a sense, RHF is a “United Way” for non-profits in New York City whose focus is on poverty. They solicit grants, screen the organizations, and disburse donations in the form of grants. Unlike United Way, the RHF states “100% of your donation goes directly to our community partners” on the front page of their website (www.robinhood.org) because “our board pays for all administrative costs.”  That’s an amazing claim, especially for donors who are interested in their dollars going as far as possible to help alleviate poverty in a city where 1 in 5 people are estimated to live in poverty. Read more »

1
May

Executive Compensation at the National Restaurant Association (2021)

The National Restaurant Association had a windfall of about $170 million in 2018 when they sold the “National Restaurant Association Show” to a unrelated private company Winsight, LLC – an information services company focused on the food and beverage industry. Consideration received included a promissory note (about $150 million of which $127 million was written off in 2020 and $90 million put back on the books in 2021) and an equity investment in Winsight, LLC. A sponsorship agreement provides annual royalty payments equal to 2% of the gross revenues of the show for 45 years, beginning in 2019. Read more »

25
Apr

Alice Waters: Put Your Menu Where Your Mouth Is

Recently, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) printed a piece on food and specifically the food of the south of France.  Underlying the story is a question:  Why are we so hungry for the food of the South of France right now?  In trying to answer that question, Alice Waters, the 79-year old founder of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California said

We need to make our diets healthy by eating more fruit and vegetables and less meat, and we need to respond to climate change with farming methods that protect and renew the earth…which is what they’ve been doing in the south of France for centuries.

Read more »

20
May

Executive Compensation at the National Confectioners Association (2020)

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) is tax-exempt, non-profit trade association (501 (c) 6) that promotes chocolate, candy, gum, and mints along with the companies that make these treats. Based in Washington, DC, the NCA focuses on 7 key areas:

  • Public Policy and Government Affairs
  • Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
  • Industry Affairs and the Sweets & Snacks Expo
  • International Business Development
  • Meetings and Membership
  • Public Affairs and Communications
  • Administration and Finance

Read more »