The U.S. boasts about 6,000 small retail bakeries.
The carrot-raisin muffin or sesame seed bagel that start your morning probably come from one of the 2,500 commercial bakeries in the U.S., which bring in a total of $25 billion in revenue each year. Or, your baked goodie may come from one of the 6,000 small retail bakeries in the country, which bring in a total of $3 billion in revenue each year. Either way, the bakery industry is a significant player in the national and global marketplace and has a number of trade associations that represent its interests in both wholesale and retail markets.
American Bakers Association
The American Bakers Association, ABA, founded in 1897, represents the interests of the wholesale baking industry to Congress; federal, state and international regulatory agencies; and state legislatures. The ABA represents about 80 percent of wholesale bakers, and their suppliers, in the U.S. Based in Washington D.C., the ABA's goal is to "maximize the scope and influence of the industry." The ABA holds an annual convention in the spring and encourages active participation by its members.
Retail Bakers of America
The Retail Bakers of America, RBA, offers resources and education to foster profitability and enhance business operations in the retail baking industry. Through networking, education and communication, the RBA seeks to share best practices information and education with its members. The RBA is broken down into regional affiliate groups, including the Chicago Area Retail Bakers Association, the Deep South Retail Bakers Association and the New York State Association of Manufacturing Retail Bakers. Among its services, the RBA offers baker, master baker and decorator certification, an online job center, webinars and a suppliers directory.
Independent Bakers Association
The Independent Bakers Association, IBA, is a Washington DC based trade group representing over 400 mostly family-owned wholesale bakeries. Founded in 1968, the group seeks to protect and advance the interests of independent wholesale bakeries, specifically with regard to anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions, federal tax, labor and environmental law and market-oriented farm commodity programs. IBA publishes a monthly newsletter that addresses federal regulatory and legislative actions and analyzes positions that impact the wholesale baking industry. The Association holds an annual Washington D.C. convention in June, a winter meeting in the southeast and a fall meeting on the west coast.
The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association
The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association, IDDBA, made up of retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and distributors, among others, of the dairy, deli and bakery industries, seeks to enhance the operations and profitability of its members. Founded in 1964, the IDDBA offers educational opportunities, professional dialogue and industry data. Its annual expo is held in June in various parts of the country, and its website contains training, research and job-search tools.
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