By RF Buche
With so many voices competing for attention on the issues of the day, it’s easy to understand why some folks feel they’re not being heard.
But by sticking together, independent grocers are not only being heard, they’re making progress toward bringing about the kind of change that will help not only our businesses, but the communities that we serve.
Little did I know that when I offered testimony as part of a roundtable on food insecurity three years ago, it would lead to my business and our industry gaining some national attention.
My description to the House Rules Committee of the challenges faced in bringing groceries to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in my home state of South Dakota caught the attention of Alvaro Bedoya, who sits on the Federal Trade Commission. That led to Commissioner Bedoya coming out to Pine Ridge twice to see how Buche Foods serves one of the most vulnerable communities in the United States despite a playing field tilted in favor of mega retailers due to nonenforcement of antitrust laws.
That attention, and the unique market conditions my company faces, also caught the attention of national media outlets. Recently, I recounted the challenges that so many of us independent grocers share to the Washington Post for its recent article on the unlevel playing field independent grocers face and the reasons behind them.
Likewise, I shared our common concerns in an interview with the Fox Business Channel in its probe of the price-gouging ban proposed by Vice President Kamala Harris while on the campaign trail for the presidency.
Personally, I find it very gratifying to be part of the advocacy process. It feels good to contribute to the larger cause for my customers and for the right reasons. And I appreciate the press interest in these matters and hope it can have an impact.
As a member of NGA, you’re never alone. Together, we speak with a common voice to fight for the issues we know will help our communities, raising awareness and understanding among lawmakers, the media and the public at large.
Just because we don’t have as many stores as the big-box chains doesn’t mean we should ignore the antitrust laws that are already on the books. And just because we don’t have as many stores as they do doesn’t mean we don’t have something important to say about how to serve the folks that depend on us for feeding their families every day.
Host a store visit for officials from Washington. Offer testimony before Congress. Tell a reporter why independent grocers deserve to operate on a level playing field. Together, we’re stronger.
RF Buche is a fourth-generation grocer and president of South Dakota-based GF Buche Co.
