With foodservice in the U.S. convenience store industry doubling from 11.9% of in-store sales in 2004 to 27.7% in 2024, one key element helps drive this success: food safety.
For many c-store operators, checking boxes on completed food safety-related tasks is not enough. These companies are building a culture of food safety within their organization from the top down that communicates trust in the products they source, produce, package and sell to customers every day.
During a recent Convenience Matters podcast, Evan Powell, retail food protection manager at Kwik Trip, agreed that food safety should not be thought of as a task, or a cost-centered department withing an organization. Food safety is “the right thing to do for the people who consume your food,” he said.
Food safety culture centers around shared values, beliefs and norms among employees that creates a mindset where safe food handling is a natural part of their work, and it’s supported by leadership. “It is about behaviors, not just tasks,” said Powell.
While no single company can achieve 100% risk mitigation of foodborne illness factors when selling food, “one of the best ways to minimize breakdowns in the execution of food safety policies and procedures is to have good retail practices ingrained in your operations and your employees,” said Dr. Jay Ellingson, chief scientific officer at Kwik Trip Inc., at the inaugural NACS Food Safety Forum in 2022.
Ellingson, who has moderated and developed content for the Food Safety Forum since its inception, said during the 2022 event that leadership plays a huge role in building a culture of food safety. “Our companies should be leading by example and allocating the time our coworkers need to complete these tasks, as well as provide the tools and resources they need to be safe and effective,” he said.
“It's not just the food safety department that's talking about food safety training and explaining the why behind the importance of food safety,” said Powell, adding that it’s the entire organization—beginning with leadership. “All of your leadership buys into it and talks about it,” he said.
Powell stressed that food safety culture is not a task. “It's about advancing the future of our industry,” he said.
Listen to the full podcast, Food Safety Forward and plan to attend the 2026 NACS Food Safety Forum on April 13-14. Ask to be notified when registration opens.