Washington, D.C. – The National Grocers Association (NGA) Foundation is proud to welcome a new advisory committee to help promote and expand NGA Foundation’s assistance to independent grocers in modernizing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems, including implementing SNAP Online and EBT Chip card functionality. This initiative, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service, offers free resources to help small and independent grocery stores navigate innovative SNAP EBT technology and enhance their ability to serve their communities.
The advisory committee brings together experts from technology companies, the grocery industry, and community organizations—along with those who have firsthand experience with SNAP—to ensure that grocers have the tools they need to compete and thrive. Their insights will help the NGA Foundation expand economic opportunities for local businesses and improve grocery shopping options nationwide.
“Independent grocers are the backbone of our local economies, providing jobs and ensuring access to food in communities across America,” said Chelsea Matzen, Vice President of NGA Foundation. “The advisory committee will help make it easier for these businesses to navigate SNAP EBT modernization efforts —which are key to helping grocers grow their businesses, while helping families shop more conveniently.”
The 11-member advisory committee includes leaders from 10 states and Washington, D.C.
– Charlee Burkhardt, GF Buche Company, Sisseton, SD
– Tania F. Correa-Castro, Northwest Harvest, Everett, WA
– Nyssa Entrekin, MS, RD, The Food Trust, Philadelphia, PA
– Jamie Fitzwater, Community Farm Alliance, Berea, KY
– Deeanna Garner, AmeriCorps VISTA at Miami University, Hamilton, OH
– Phil Jones, Detroit Food Policy Council, Detroit, MI
– Kathy Kuzava, Georgia Food Industry Association, Smyrna, GA
– Marquitrice Mangham, In Her Shoes, Inc., MS Delta
– Molly Pfaffenroth, Milwaukee, WI
– Gina Plata-Nino, Food Research & Action Center, Washington, DC
– Sommer Stockton, The Shelby Report, Gainesville, GA
The combined initiative between NGA Foundation and USDA aligns with NGA’s broader mission of empowering independent grocers by providing resources that drive innovation, increase access to food, and create stronger, more resilient local economies. The advisory committee’s work will focus on educating grocers and promoting resources about SNAP EBT modernization initiatives to help grocers expand and modernize their businesses, in alignment with the overall mission of increasing food security. Read more about the committee here.
About the National Grocers Association Foundation
The NGA Foundation is the 501(c)3 nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association, dedicated to cultivating and strengthening the independent grocery industry’s workforce. Through education, leadership development, and scholarships, the Foundation empowers the next generation of grocery professionals while supporting current industry leaders. By investing in talent, fostering innovation, promoting career growth, and offering targeted support to help grocers operate various government assistance programs, the NGA Foundation ensures that independent grocers remain vital pillars of the communities they serve. For more information, visit www.ngafoundation.org
About NGA
NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale community grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for about 1.2 percent of the nation’s overall economy and is responsible for generating more than $250 billion in sales, 1.1 million jobs, $39 billion in wages and $36 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers located in every congressional district across the country, as well as state grocers’ associations, manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org.
