By Eric Payne, NGA Manager of Communications

Independent Grocer Jimmy Wright Testifies Before House Small Business Committee

On Wednesday, independent grocer, Jimmy Wright, testified before the House Committee on Small Business, saying the COVID-10 pandemic demonstrates how the economic playing field is tilted against independent grocers in several ways:  lack of antitrust enforcement, dominance of power buyers in the marketplace, and limited ability to sell products to SNAP customers online.

NGA Director of Government Relations, Molly Pfaffenroth, wrote a blog about Jimmy Wright’s testimony – read by clicking here.

Big Y Selling More Products with MassGrown Exchange

Through the MassGrown Exchange program, Big Y connects with new local food producers, including farmers, fishers, food buyers, and agriculture related businesses.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said the following about MassGrown Exchange:

“Our administration developed MassGrown Exchange to serve as an important tool for the Commonwealth’s agricultural and seafood industries to expand business opportunities and access new markets and improve food security for the people of Massachusetts.” 

As part of the program, Big Y is working with local producers selling products in their stores – for a list of producers, click here.

And learn more about Big Y’s role from The Shelby Report here.

NGA’s First-Ever Virtual Executive Conference a Tremendous Success

Last week, NGA welcomed more than 425 attendees to its sold out Executive Conference. Designed for CEO’s and their leadership teams to explore innovative ways to increase profitability, the online conference provided attendees with big-picture data, best practices and actionable insights that are on the forefront of the supermarket industry.

NGA Senior Vice President of Industry Relations, Jonathan Downey, said the following about the conference:

“Close collaboration between retailers, wholesalers and industry solution providers suppliers is essential to delivering consumers the solutions they need to simplify their daily lives. The NGA Executive Conference is and will continue to be an ideal resource for executives in the independent supermarket industry looking for the next big idea to be competitive in an increasingly dynamic marketplace.”

To learn more, click here.