Minnesota Grocers Honor Hoiness

Jim Hoiness, president and co-owner of Rush Foods Inc. was honored by the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) with its 2013 Outstanding Grocer Award.

Hoiness received the award  - presented annually to a grocer who has successfully developed a company and is respected by industry peers - on July 28 at the MGA Annual Conference in Brainerd, Minn., attended by more than 400 of Hoiness’ peers. The recipient also must demonstrate contributions to the industry in the areas of government affairs, community service and involvement in the MGA.

Hoiness became manager of Rushford IGA in 1973. After many years as a partner, he purchased the Rushford, Minn.-based company in 1997. Rush Foods Inc. began in 1969 with Rushford IGA, followed by Harmony IGA in 1975 and Preston IGA in 1999.

In 2007, a flash flood left up to four feet of water in almost every business in Rushford, including Rushford IGA. Hoiness was key to the recovery of the business community and provided hope for local residents to rebuild with his resolve and determination to open the store.

Rush Foods Inc. is an independent retailer supplied by Affiliated Foods Midwest, a member-owned cooperative providing independent grocers with a full range of foods, supermarket supplies and services throughout several states in the Midwest. AFM is a member of the Topco Cooperative, the second-largest procurer of grocery goods in the United States.