The National Grocers Association (NGA) held its annual Fly-In for Fair Competition May 20-21, bringing industry leaders to the nation’s capital to advocate for a level playing field in the grocery sector.
“The Fly-In for Fair Competition is a powerful opportunity for independent grocers to make their voices heard where it matters most – on Capitol Hill,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA president and CEO.
“Through direct engagement with policymakers, our members are championing a more level playing field – one that supports Main Street businesses and strengthens the local communities they serve every day.”
The Fly-In began May 20 with a session titled “Feeding the Nation: USDA Perspectives on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” which featured Jennifer Tiller, chief of staff to the deputy secretary and senior advisor to the secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The session centered around the department’s recent approval of a SNAP restriction waiver, Make America Healthy Again and EBT skimming.
“SNAP fuels local economies and sustains hundreds of thousands of American jobs,” said Stephanie Johnson, NGA’s group VP of government relations. “Independent grocers see the real-world impact of this efficient program every day, particularly in rural and low-income areas where a grocery store is often the backbone of the community.
“We look forward to using what we learned today to educate Congress about how their policies impact independent grocers and the customers they serve.”
After the opening discussion, attendees participated in an informative session led by Johnson and NGA’s Chief Government Relations Officer and Counsel Chris Jones, focused on equipping members with effective strategies for communicating their policy priorities to members of Congress.
Jen Daulby, CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation, also helped lead the discussion, providing guidance on building relationships with lawmakers.
Attendees also received a look at the latest data shaping the independent grocery sector during a session led by Robert Graybill, president of FMS Solutions.
Graybill presented key findings from the 2024 FMS/NGA Independent Grocers Financial Study, highlighting critical financial benchmarks for the industry. The session included an in-depth analysis of first quarter 2025 performance data, covering trends in sales, gross margins, labor costs and shrink.
Participants gained insights into the operational realities facing independent grocers, along with best practices from top-performing retailers. The full report will be available to the public later this year.
[RELATED: NGA Urges Congress To Reform SNAP Responsibly]
At a pivotal time for federal antitrust policy, FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson joined NGA members later in the day to share his vision for the agency’s future.
“We thank Chair Ferguson for taking the time today to speak with independent grocers about the FTC’s approach to antitrust enforcement,” Jones said. “His remarks highlighted the importance of fair competition and the role of federal agencies like the FTC in leveling the playing field for community grocers.
“NGA members were excited to share their stories about how further antitrust enforcement can help address the market abuse by power buyers and mega chains that continues to harm independent grocers and their customers.”
The first day concluded with a keynote address from Kellyanne Conway, political strategist, author and former senior counselor to President Trump. Conway’s talk touched on policy, advocacy and the vital role of grassroots engagement in shaping the future of the independent grocery industry.
On May 21, 130 independent grocers went to the Capitol to conduct more than 175 meetings with policymakers. The discussions focused on the need for robust antitrust enforcement, preserving sufficient SNAP and the critical reform of credit card swipe fees to alleviate financial burdens on small businesses.
“Independent grocers are heading to Capitol Hill with a clear and urgent message,” Jones said. “[They] are on the front lines of their communities, and they need policies that foster fair competition, expand food access and ease the financial strain of excessive swipe fees.
“These meetings are a vital opportunity to ensure lawmakers understand what’s at stake for Main Street businesses across the country.”