The National Grocers Association named Kristi Magnuson Nelson, president of Grand Forks, North Dakota-based Hugo’s Family Marketplace, as the 2026 recipient of the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award.
One of the most prestigious honors in the independent grocery industry, the award honors the legacy of Zaucha, NGA’s first president and CEO, whose career was defined by his dedication to strengthening independent grocers and building a strong foundation for the association.
Presented by FMS Solutions during The NGA Show in Las Vegas, it recognizes an independent grocer whose passion, persistence and vision have made a lasting impact on the industry.
“Kristi embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that defines independent grocers,” said NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara. “Her ability to grow and innovate while staying grounded in community values and industry service makes her an exceptional leader and a worthy recipient of this award.”
Under Nelson’s leadership, Hugo’s Family Marketplace has grown into a regional leader with 15 supermarkets across North Dakota and Minnesota.
A third-generation grocer, Nelson took the helm of the company in 2007 after the death of her father, Curt Magnuson. Hugo and Dorothy Magnuson founded the company in 1939 as a small store in downtown Grand Forks.
Nelson has guided expansion through new store development, acquisitions from retiring independent grocers and reinvestment in locations.
In recent years, Hugo’s has added stores through purchases such as Palubicki’s Family Market in Fosston, Minnesota, and a partnership with Lindner-Hagen Inc. to serve communities in northern Minnesota. She has also embraced technology, expanded fresh offerings and strengthened local sourcing.
Beyond business growth, Nelson is known for her commitment to community and industry leadership. Hugo’s supports food banks, schools and civic programs, and Nelson is a champion of hunger relief and well-being initiatives.
She serves on the NGA Board of Directors and supports advocacy efforts, Women Grocers of America and numerous NGA programs.
The NGA Show took place Feb. 1-3 at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. It brought together grocery retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and suppliers from across the country for three days of learning, networking and product discovery.