By Eric Payne, NGA Manager of Communications
NGA Outlines COVID Priorities to Congress
This week, NGA sent a letter to congressional leaders outlining top priorities for independent grocers in the upcoming coronavirus relief economic stimulus package, including rewarding essential frontline workers, limiting liability exposure, and expanding nutritional access.
Click here to read a summary of these top priorities by NGA’s Government Relations team.
AWG’s Stephanie Becker Honored with NGA Spirit of America Award
Established in 1982, the NGA Spirit of America Award honors key industry and community leaders in the areas of government relations and community service on behalf of the independent supermarket industry.
This week, NGA presented the award to Stephanie Becker – chief legal officer at Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) – recognizing her commitment to the independent supermarket industry.
Read more here.
Political Analyst Nathan Gonzales to Keynote Executive Conference In September
NGA announced Nathan Gonzales will keynote its Executive Conference in September, which will be held virtually September 22-25.
Gonzales is the editor and publisher of Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, which provides non-partisan analysis of campaigns for Senate, House, governor and president. Offering audiences some of the most detailed electoral forecasting in the business, he can regularly be seen on CNN discussing the latest in politics, and The New York Times, Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today have all sought him out for his expertise.
Learn more here.
To register for the Executive Conference, click here.
NGA Applauds Legislation Supporting Independent Grocers on SNAP Online Purchasing
Last week, NGA released a statement applauding the introduction of legislation which would expand SNAP online purchasing to independent grocers by reducing existing barriers preventing participation in the program. The Expanding SNAP Options Act (H.R. 7535), was introduced Thursday, July 9, by Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL).
NGA Senior Vice President of Government relations and counsel, Christopher Jones, said the following about the legislation:
“America’s independent supermarket operators serve as the backbone to their communities and have been strong partners in the SNAP food delivery system, serving millions of low-income households, including families with children, the elderly, and disabled. Food retailers have experienced unprecedented demand for online services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and while many independent grocers have launched innovative solutions, for example curbside and home delivery, to better serve their communities during these challenging times, it is imperative for all independent grocers to have an opportunity to offer eligible food products and process SNAP payments online.”
Learn more here.
