The NGA Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association, has announced the recipients of its 2026 scholarship program, awarding financial assistance to 21 students planning careers in the grocery industry.
“Scholarships are one of the most meaningful ways the NGA Foundation can invest in the next generation of independent grocery leaders,” said Chelsea Matzen, VP of the NGA Foundation. “We’re honored each year to support talented students who are committed to their communities and interested in building careers in our industry. These opportunities are made possible by the generous individuals, families, and organizations who support our scholarship programs.”
The foundation awards scholarships annually to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and a strong commitment to careers in the independent grocery industry. Each scholarship is made possible by a company or individual, often honoring the legacy of a business or industry leader.
Recipients grateful
Several recipients bring firsthand independent grocery experience, and this year’s class spans the country, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Temple University in the Northeast to Auburn University in the Southeast and the University of California, Berkeley in the West. Abbie Thoman, recipient of the Ecolab Women in Grocery Scholarship, is a fourth-generation member of the family behind Thoman’s IGA in West Liberty, Ohio, which marks a major anniversary this year.
“My role as an NGA scholarship recipient represents not only an investment in my future, but it also brings light to the impact of small businesses,” Thoman said. “I have been involved in my family’s IGA store, Thoman’s IGA, for as long as I can remember, and this year marks the store’s 75th anniversary. My great-grandfather founded the grocery store, and then passed leadership to my grandfather, who my father now works alongside in order to keep the business running smoothly and effectively.”
Isaac Gustashaw, the Roger Collins Legacy Scholarship recipient at Auburn University, connects his award to the industry’s history.
“Local and family-owned grocery stores helped build the United States,” Gustashaw said. “The ‘general store’ provided newly built communities with a source of not only food but the essentials for building a town, the majority being family owned and operated. Thinking how much of an impact these businesses have had on our history, it makes me want to choose a career where I work alongside these hardworking Americans.”
The 2026 recipients
The complete list of recipients includes:
- Blaine Leyden, Asparagus Club Scholarship, Briar Cliff University;
- Chingiz Bahadur, Asparagus Club Scholarship, Marymount University;
- Hayden Kestner, Asparagus Club Scholarship, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise;
- Kylie Shafer, Asparagus Club Scholarship, Northwest Missouri State University;
- Marianna Drapas, Asparagus Club Scholarship, University of Virginia;
- Mikayla Martin, Asparagus Club Thomas K. Zaucha Award, Baylor University;
- Brendan Ridge, Buehler’s Ed & Helen Buehler Scholarship, Ashland University;
- Caleb Smith, Buehler’s People First Scholarship, Stark State Community College;
- Kaya M. Bullard, Charlie and Becky Bray Legacy Scholarship, University of California, Berkeley;
- Abbie Thoman, Ecolab Women in Grocery Scholarship, Huntington University;
- Christian Stauffer, ECRS Retail Technology Scholarship, Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
- Veeramani Karuppuchamy, ECRS Retail Technology Scholarship, The Ohio State University;
- Abayomi Ogundana, FMS “Profit Hound” Scholarship, Temple University;
- Hannah Highberger, FMS “Profit Hound” Scholarship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
- Isabelle Rahn, Kimberly-Clark Scholarship, Iowa State University;
- Elizabeth Sterling, Mary Macey Legacy Scholarship, University of Notre Dame;
- Alex Wiltse, Peter & Jody Larkin Legacy Scholarship, University of Northern Iowa;
- Isaac Gustashaw, Roger Collins Legacy Scholarship, Auburn University;
- Rebecca Lynn Berry, Ronnie Horton Legacy Scholarship sponsored by Frontline Source Group, Inc., University of Michigan;
- Avary Zeisloft, Women Grocers of America Scholarship, University of Findlay;
- Campbell Booth, Women Grocers of America Scholarship, University of Minnesota.
The scholarships support the talent-cultivation commitment in the foundation’s new strategic plan, announced last week, which prioritizes building pathways into the industry and strengthening the leadership pipeline. The foundation welcomes scholarship sponsorships; those interested can contact [email protected].
To read all the recipients’ comments, click here.
Related: NGA Foundation’s New Strategic Plan Targets Training, Succession Planning