The National Grocers Association (NGA) Government Relations Committee has finalized its 2024 policy agenda for independent community grocers, with antitrust reform and swipe fee changes leading the way.
During a Jan. 11 meeting in Washington, D.C., the committee discussed a variety of topics important to the independent supermarket industry and fashioned a strategy to advocate for them through its policy agenda.
“Over the last several years, NGA has made tremendous strides on behalf of independent supermarkets in the areas of antitrust and swipe fee reform. NGA’s annual Government Relations Committee meeting has been critical to this success by bringing issues at the store level to Capitol Hill,” said Chris Jones, chief government relations officer and counsel.
“I thank committee members that joined the meeting to finalize our strategic plan. We are excited to work with lawmakers based on this agenda to advance federal policies that help independent grocers maintain their place at the heart of communities across the U.S.”
The meeting began with introductory remarks from Tom Charley, who chairs the committee and owns Pennsylvania-based Charley Family Shop N’ Save.
NGA staff then discussed the political climate, NGA grassroots strategies, antitrust reform updates and emerging issues impacting independents, including the inability to accept Healthy Benefit Cards, food waste and traceability.
The day concluded with a visit from U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, a champion for independent grocers who serves as a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law.
NGA will continue to engage its members on these advocacy priorities throughout the year, including Congressional Store Tours, NGA’s new Grocery Guard program and the annual Fly-In for Fair Competition (May 21-22).
The Fly-In brings independent retailers, wholesalers and state association executives to Capitol Hill to advocate for a level playing field in the grocery industry by calling for enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act and legislation to reform credit card routing to lower swipe fees.
Read more association news from The Shelby Report.
