National Grocers Association

I'm beyond excited to be to attending the Women Grocers of America Symposium in Austin this September! 🎉 The work being done to make this an event to remember has been nothing short of amazing! From fabulous keynotes to professional & personal development surrounding highly relevant content, networking, and celebrating the incredible women in our industry. If you haven't registered yet, there's still time to join me—let's make this event unforgettable! Register now: https://lnkd.in/gzyptnG8 #WGASymposium2024 #WomenInGrocery

I’m thrilled to share that I'll be attending the Women Grocers of America Symposium in Austin this September! 🎉 It’s going to be a fantastic event full of learning, networking, and celebrating the incredible women in our industry. If you haven't registered yet, there's still time to join me—let's make this event unforgettable!

Calling all grocers who are interested in or currently accepting SNAP Online!   The SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center (SEMTAC) is a partnership of the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service and the National Grocers Association Foundation. The team of industry experts offer free one-on-one support and other resources to help grocers understand and navigate SNAP Online’s multiphase application process. SEMTAC would love to hear from you to help simplify the SNAP Online application process for grocers like you.   Would you be willing to take a 5-minute survey to offer your advice? All results are anonymous unless you choose to share contact information.   Take the short survey here: https://lnkd.in/dc9teM8D

NGA Blog: The Independent’s Playbook - Always Looking Forward by Jim Dudlicek Independent #grocery stores are the lifeblood of communities across the country, and NGA is here to ensure they thrive not just today, but in the future. While our slogan, “At the heart of the community,” captures our essential role, we’re also “Always looking forward”. From consumer trends and economic outlooks to regulatory guidance and advocacy, NGA is committed to helping our members stay ahead of the curve. Our Government Relations team, NGA Foundation, and SEMTAC are all dedicated to providing the tools and resources you need to navigate the road ahead—whether it’s policy matters, SNAP Online, or food safety and compliance. That’s why Independent Grocer, our member magazine, delivers insightful content three times a year, designed to help you stay prepared for whatever lies beyond the horizon. Learn more in today's blog by NGA's Jim Dudlicek: bit.ly/3XcYUVk

📰 NGA and UNFI Release Traceability Guide NGA and UNFI are pleased to announce the release of the highly-anticipated Step-by-Step Guide to FDA Traceability! This essential resource, a complimentary benefit available to all NGA members, was written and designed to help independent grocers achieve compliance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods” rule efficiently and effectively. “We are excited to partner with NGA on this resource to help independent grocers stay ahead as our industry continues preparing for the new Food Traceability rule,” said UNFI Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Matt Echols. ➡ Visit NGA's Traceability Center to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gz_s8JCN ➡ NGA members can request their complimentary guide online: https://lnkd.in/gN_T6qDH ➡ Non-members can access it for an additional fee: https://lnkd.in/gdHPCrbr Learn more in today's press release: https://lnkd.in/gSBdxTt5

Heading to the airport after a very quick trip to collaborate with our colleagues and friends at the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers! It was great to spend time with Ron Welke, CFIG’s new President and CEO and also Tom Shurrie as he moves toward retirement. I also really enjoyed spending a little time with their team, including Laura Collaton. I lost count after 6 store visits Tuesday afternoon, but so interesting to see the diverse food retail market in Toronto! Very informative. Until next time!

Calling all #grocers who are interested in or currently accepting SNAP Online! SEMTAC, a partnership of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service and the National Grocers Association Foundation, would love to hear from you to help simplify the SNAP Online application process for grocers like you. Would you be willing to take a 5-minute survey to offer your advice? All results are anonymous unless you choose to share contact information. Take the short survey here: https://lnkd.in/e2-dxfJ5

📰 Statement from NGA President & CEO Greg Ferrara on the Proposed Price Gouging Ban for Grocery Stores On Friday, NGA released the following statement: “The proposal calling for a ban on grocery price gouging is a solution in search of a problem. Our independent grocers, already operating on extremely thin margins, are hurting from the same inflationary pressure points as their customers. Labor, rent, swipe fees, utilities; you name it, the price has increased. But what’s really hurting our local, independent grocers, is the lack of fair competition with big box retailers, who leverage their influence in ways that your independent grocer down the street can’t, leading to increased prices for everyone else." Read the complete statement here: bit.ly/3YOyXwx

The SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center (SEMTAC) team is excited to kick off office hours to answer your questions about SNAP Online! Starting today, every Monday from 2:00 pm - 2:40 pm, the team will be available to #retailers and e-commerce providers who have questions about things like the SNAP Online application process, technical requirements, testing, and more. Hope to see you on Zoom for our first one: ☑ https://lnkd.in/dU-kmgci ☑ Meeting ID: 970 5268 3381 ☑ Passcode: Gct0FQ Note: Your confidentiality is important to us! Because these are open meetings, please understand that sensitive or confidential business information like your SNAP Authorization or FNS number should not be shared in this forum.

AWG and Dan Funk were recently profiled in Independent Grocer Magazine, an NGA publication. Dan shares insights from his years in the industry, his management philosophies and his outlook for the industry. Dan started his journey in grocery at a young age. Working his way through every role in the store, Dan’s story is one of dedication, growth, and understanding the true essence of the grocery industry. At AWG, he’s all about strategic collaboration, innovation, and supporting independent retailers in a competitive market. His leadership philosophy: collaborative, participative, and always focused on continuous improvement. Dan’s advice for aspiring grocers: "Continue to focus on your consumers' satisfaction and your team's success – those two areas put the fun and success into the business.” Read the full profile here: https://bit.ly/3Ao8YlJ #GroceryLeadership #AWG #RetailExcellence #Teamwork #Innovation