In 1992, the National Grocers Association formed the Grocers Research and Education Foundation (GREF) as a nonprofit organization. Through industry research and educational programs, the Foundation serves the industry by improving productivity in all key areas of operations through sharing information, education, and research to N.G.A. members as well as the industry as a whole. 

GREF is comprised of eight educational centers that address industry-specific operational needs.  Each center has a council composed of experts from the industry and academia who provide information and direction in the development of each center’s mission and objectives.

All Centers function to achieve two complimentary objectives:

1)    To create programs and service that help build sales and profits; and

2)    To identify ways and means to control and reduce operating expenses.