Aug 9, 2021
By Jim Dudlicek, NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs The inconvenience and even pain of recalls flows down the supply chain, landing squarely in retailers’ laps. What if it didn’t have to be that way? How can the interruption be simplified, damage minimized and costs recovered? When recalls become a normal business process, crisis turns…
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Aug 1, 2021
Antitrust Reform and Enforcement Efforts Gain Momentum in July; NGA Honors Independent Grocers with Prestigious Awards; The NGA Show Sells Out Exhibit Hall 1) NGA Member David Smith Testifies About Antitrust Reform and Enforcement; NGA Meets with FTC and White House to Advocate on Behalf of Independent Grocers Last week, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) President…
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Jul 29, 2021
For the last year, independent grocers have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping their business operating for communities across the country. Independents ensured a safe environment for customers and employees by adopting measures such as plexiglass, barriers at checkout, social distancing indicators, and dedicated shopping hours for at risk customers. It’s been a tough time for our country, but independent retailers and wholesalers have been there since…
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Jul 23, 2021
By Robert Yeakel, Director of Government Relations The Federal Reserve has been in the spotlight lately. While most attention has been focused on whether the agency will notch interest rates higher as Americans feel the sudden uptick in inflation, or whether Jerome Powell will keep his role as Chairman, the Fed has also proposed a clarification to its…
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Jul 22, 2021
By Michael Gay, Manager of Food Fresh in Claxton, Georgia In Claxton, Georgia, I manage the only grocery store in the county, often serving customers working overtime or two jobs to make ends meet. For these customers, every minute they spend with their children is precious, whether it’s helping them with homework or discussing their day. Residents like this in our county are trying to balance two…
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Jul 20, 2021
By Jimmy Wright, Technical Assistance Consultant – Retail, NGAF TA Center A few weeks ago, the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service reached out to me about food access in Hurtsboro, Alabama, a tiny rural town about 30 miles from Opelika, where I operate my store, Wright’s Market. The median income for a Hurtsboro household is less than…
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Jul 18, 2021
By Jim Dudlicek, Director, Communications and External Affairs From higher prices to hacking, 2021 has been a challenging year for meat. Increased demand and other factors led to shortages that put pressure on grocers’ traditional promotions as Memorial Day heralded another summer grilling season. NGA recently hosted a webinar to analyze the current state of…
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Jul 14, 2021
Contributions to the NGA Foundation support leadership development, scholarships, industry promotion, student programs, and diversity and inclusion efforts By Maggie White, NGA Foundation Director In many ways, the foundation of the NGA Foundation is our generous supporters, without which we would not be able to accomplish the important work we do each day for current and future independent grocers. …
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Jul 12, 2021
Jim Dudlicek, Director, Communications and External Affairs Though expected to be more sweeping, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) recent emergency standard for COVID workplace safety is directed only at healthcare workers. But that doesn’t mean grocery stores should be letting their guard down. To be sure, consumers are coming out of the pandemic…
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Jul 1, 2021
By Molly Pfaffenroth, NGA Senior Director of Government Relations The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released a study on the barriers to healthy eating experienced by participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The barriers cited in the “Barriers that Constrain the Adequacy of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Allotments” report include factors such as high costs for healthy foods, unavailability of transportation to the grocery store and lack of knowledge about…
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Jul 1, 2021
NGA Releases Economic Impact Study Highlighting Independent Grocers’ Pivotal Role in Growing the Economy A recent study conducted for NGA by John Dunham & Associates reinforced how independent grocers create positive impacts across the country via jobs, wages, and taxes. The study found independent grocers are responsible for more than 1.1 million jobs that earn wages of nearly $3.3 million. To view key takeaways from…
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Jun 29, 2021
By Eric Payne, NGA Manager of Communications Over the last year, independent grocers have served their communities tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic, dealing with increased demand for products while keeping customers and employees safe. This is nothing new, as local, family-owned, independent grocers are known for their strong connection to the community. They are also known…
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Jun 15, 2021
By Pat Jones, Project Assistant One of the most difficult aspects of implementing a SNAP produce incentive program in a grocery store is establishing the necessary connections between three separate entities: grantees, retailers and technology solution providers. Simply put, grantees have the funding, retailers have the stores and the customers, and the technology companies have…
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Jun 11, 2021
By Robert Yeakel, Director of Government Relations Independent supermarkets operate over 3,000 pharmacies across the country. In many small towns and rural areas, the grocery store pharmacy is the only healthcare provider in the community. In recent years, two disturbing trends have been accelerating: Medicare Part D beneficiaries are paying higher out-of-pocket costs, and independent…
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Jun 8, 2021
Jim Dudlicek, NGA Director of Communications and External Affairs Grocers’ sales soared during the pandemic, when restaurants closed and consumers ate more meals at home. Now, as restrictions are being lifted, food prices are soaring – CPI experienced its greatest jump since 2008. And when food prices rise, it’s from grocers that most consumers get…
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Jun 7, 2021
By Pat Jones, Project Assistant Northgate Gonzalez Markets is a family-owned independent grocery chain that has been operating in four California counties (Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange and Riverside) for 41 years and currently operates 41 locations. Their stores primarily serve Hispanic and moderate to low-income communities. The family firmly believes that nutrition education and…
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Jun 4, 2021
Following a series of disappointing jobs reports and several tax hikes being mulled on Capitol Hill, the National Grocers Association joined several efforts to urge the Biden Administration to address the labor shortage and pursue policies that promote, not harm, job growth. Economists had expected hiring to ramp up this year as pandemic-related restrictions are…
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May 27, 2021
By Robert Yeakel, NGA Director of Government Relations Yesterday, The National Grocers Association joined over 30 trade associations in announcing the launch of a new coalition to oppose the Biden Administration’s tax increase proposals. America’s Job Creators for a Strong Recovery is a coalition of associations representing individual and family-owned businesses and corporations that oppose…
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May 26, 2021
Jim Dudlicek, NGA Director of Communications and External Affairs Grocery workers were among the frontline workers named as priority recipients of the COVID-19 vaccine in many parts of the country. With vaccine rollouts proceeding and shots now widely available, have all your associates been vaccinated? Do they have questions about the vaccine? Are they still…
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May 21, 2021
By Molly Pfaffenroth, Senior Director of Government Relations, National Grocers Association The National Grocers Association (NGA) this week launched its new branding identity — complete with a fresh logo, messaging, color scheme and tag line — the first update since NGA’s founding in 1982. NGA represents independent community grocers in every congressional district across the…
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