National Grocers Association President and CEO Greg Ferrara met with Associated Food Stores’ President and CEO David Rice and Public Affairs Director Sarah Pettit recently to discuss federal policy issues that directly affect independent grocers in the West.
Ferrara flew in from Washington, D.C. to meet with West Coast NGA members, including AFS, as part of a strategic effort to discuss advocacy priorities and strengthen the voice of independent retailers. The group focused on critical federal issues such as fair competition and the importance of enforcing the Robinson-Patman Act (RPA). The RPA protects small retailers from discriminatory pricing practices. NGA continues to work closely with the Federal Trade Commission and members of Congress to highlight the bipartisan support for independent businesses.
Additional topics included proposed changes to the AIMS Act, which currently includes regulations that could burden grocers making refrigeration updates and upcoming shifts in federal and state SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) policy stemming from the latest congressional reconciliation package. State-level SNAP waivers passed in both Utah and Idaho were also reviewed.
As a member of NGA’s Government Relations Committee, Sarah is actively engaged in influencing SNAP legislation to help AFS member retailers implement state waivers in a streamlined and effective way.
The meeting emphasized NGA’s commitment to supporting independent grocers and AFS’ dedication to championing those efforts in Washington and the communities where their retailers operate.
For team members working in wholesale, distribution and retail, this type of advocacy helps ensure a more level playing field in the grocery industry. Fair competition protections can directly influence the ability of AFS retailers to keep prices competitive for guests. Updates to SNAP legislation also affect how benefits are processed at the register and how guests shop, which can impact front-end operations, store inventory and the overall guest experience. Additionally, when regulations around refrigeration are reformed, the ripple effects reach logistics teams managing cold-chain systems, store crews maintaining food safety and all involved in keeping fresh, high-quality products on the shelves.