The past several years have brought a host of policy wins for independent grocers. From progress toward antitrust enforcement and credit card reform, to protection of federal nutrition programs, NGA’s advocacy efforts have made historic leaps.
While we have been building momentum on these issues, there is still plenty to do. With the results of the latest presidential election, will this momentum continue?
Republicans scored a trifecta, winning not only the White House but also majorities in both chambers of Congress. This dynamic poses both opportunities and challenges for the independent grocery industry.
The Trump administration will likely seek to extend 2017 corporate tax cuts, in addition to the incoming president’s pledge to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security payments.
Republicans in power will likely mean an easing of regulations for all business. For grocery, we’re optimistic that there’s a strong chance of forestalling EPA’s burdensome refrigeration rules and an extension for compliance with FDA’s FSMA 204. Additionally, a Trump administration may bring a rollback of labor rules, a less aggressive IRS and stronger enforcement of immigration regulations, which could mean labor challenges for a food sector finally rebounding from pandemic-related workforce issues.
Additionally, Trump’s call for high tariffs on goods from China, Canada and Mexico could, according to several economists, drive up the cost of food ingredients, finished products and transportation. While this may prove to be challenging to grocers and consumers alike, NGA will continue to advocate for a fair marketplace where independent grocers can continue to thrive and offer their communities fresh, affordable choices in what they feed their families.
GOP influence over nutrition policy will likely impact grocers as well, particularly independent operators who serve SNAP recipients. Republicans have voiced support for cuts in SNAP and WIC funding in the next Farm Bill and greater restrictions on the types of food products that qualify for SNAP purchases, limiting consumer choices, as well as a move toward providing harvest boxes containing preselected items. While concerning, NGA is prepared to work with incoming officials to educate them on the importance of choice for SNAP recipients and demonstrate the heavy burdens that SNAP restrictions and government intrusion would place on independent community grocers.
Agriculture and nutrition policy in the new administration would be guided by Trump’s picks for those cabinet posts. At press time, his nominees were, for agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, who leads the conservative think tank America First Policy Institute and was acting director of the White House’s Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first term; and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of Health and Human Services, who has pledged to “Make America Healthy Again.”
With several of President-elect Trump’s cabinet picks generating headlines as the year wound down, a slim GOP majority in the House and much work still to be done, it remains to be seen exactly what the full impact of the new administration will be on our industry.
But NGA has been preparing since Nov. 6 to work with leaders from both parties to ensure our industry has the tools and support to thrive. Likewise, independent grocers should maintain a close relationship with their hometown legislators, so they don’t forget how local grocery stores help drive economic growth and continue to be at the heart of the community.
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