The National Grocers Association (NGA) recognized Alvaro Bedoya with its Spirit of America Award at the Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.
“I’m proud to recognize former Federal Trade Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya with this award to recognize not only someone who has shaped policy that has benefited independent grocers throughout the country but has made history through his service and advocacy,” said Christopher Jones, NGA chief government relations officer and SVP.
“Thanks to his courage, his persistence and his belief that every business, big and small, deserves a fair shot, Robinson-Patman enforcement returned for the first time in decades. That would not have happened without Alvaro Bedoya.”
In 2022, Bedoya visited Buche Food Stores in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, as part of an effort to see how a lack of antitrust enforcement has been harming independent grocers and their consumers for decades.
[RELATED: Federal Trade Commissioner Bedoya Visits Buche Foods]
His leadership and openness to hearing the stories of those impacted by a lack of antitrust enforcement helped bring renewed attention to the need for a more competitive marketplace. RF Buche sent his congratulations to Bedoya in a video played before the award presentation.
The Spirit of America Award was initiated in 1982 to honor those who have provided leadership in the areas of community service and government relations on behalf of the food distribution industry.
The award is NGA’s way of recognizing individuals who have worked to help establish a free and independent food distribution system. NGA presents the award to recognize key industry and community leaders for their active involvement and participation in community and public affairs.
Over the years, the NGA Spirit of America award has come a memorable acknowledgment of the dedication of more than 550 recipients, including past Presidents George Bush and Gerald Ford, former Vice President Dan Quayle, former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Colin Powell and former Speaker of the House Tom Foley.
The Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit is NGA’s annual event for decision-makers and leadership teams to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace through in-depth forecasts on the future of the industry, outlooks of emerging economic and business trends, and opportunities to strengthen relationships with trading partners throughout the supply chain.