Las Vegas, NV – The National Grocers Association (NGA) is proud to recognize Arizona State University as the 2025 NGA Student Case Study Competition winner. Organized by the NGA Foundation, the competition is a key initiative to foster career growth and position grocery as a top career choice for ambitious college students.
The case study competition, which took place at the 2025 NGA Show, involved nearly 80 students and faculty from 11 universities studying food industry disciplines, such as food marketing, supply chain management, and agricultural economics.
The highly anticipated competition challenged student teams to develop a sustainability strategy for Clark’s Market, an independent grocery retailer with 11 locations across the Rocky Mountain region. Participants were tasked with presenting solutions for reducing food waste and optimizing product merchandising to emphasize sustainable and eco-friendly choices. Key considerations included operational efficiencies, return on investment, and strategic marketing initiatives to engage customers and employees.
“Congratulations to Arizona State University for their hard work, creativity, and strategic thinking that truly set them apart in this year’s competition,” said Chelsea Matzen, the NGA Foundation vice president. “We’re incredibly proud to support and recognize the next generation of industry leaders who are driving innovative solutions for sustainability in independent supermarkets across the country.”
NGA also congratulates Cornell University for earning second place with an impressive and innovative approach to sustainability.
This year’s competition was made possible with generous support from title sponsor UNFI and supporting sponsor Fairlife.
NGA applauds all participating students and faculty for their dedication and innovation in addressing sustainability challenges within the independent grocery sector. Information on the 2026 Student Case Study Competition will be available this fall.
