NGA Government Relations Committee sets 2024 policy agenda

The National Grocers Association Government Relations Committee met in Washington, D.C., for its annual meeting to discuss top policy priorities for independent community grocers and finalize the 2024 policy agenda.

The committee discussed a variety of topics important to the independent supermarket industry, creating a comprehensive strategy to advocate for antitrust reform, swipe fee reform and other policies that benefit community grocers, according to a news release.

“Over the last several years, NGA has made tremendous strides on behalf of independent supermarkets in the areas of antitrust and swipe fee reform. NGA’s annual Government Relations Committee meeting has been critical to this success by bringing issues at the store level to Capitol Hill,” Chris Jones, chief government relations officer and counsel for the NGA, said in the release. “I thank committee members that joined the meeting to finalize our strategic plan. We are excited to work with lawmakers based on this agenda to advance federal policies that help independent grocers maintain their place at the heart of communities across the United States.”

The meeting began with introductory remarks from Tom Charley, government relations committee chair for the NGA and owner of Pennsylvania-based Charley Family Shop N’ Save, the release said. NGA said staff then discussed the current political lay of the land, the association’s grassroots strategies, antitrust reform updates and emerging issues impacting independent supermarkets, such as the inability to accept Healthy Benefit Cards, food waste and traceability.

The day concluded with a visit from U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a champion for independent grocers, who currently serves as a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law, according to the release.

NGA said it will continue to engage its members on these advocacy priorities throughout the year, including Congressional Store Tours, NGA’s new Grocery Guard program and the annual Fly-In for Fair Competition on May 21-22, which will bring independent retailers, wholesalers and state association executives to Capitol Hill to advocate for a level playing field in the grocery industry by calling for enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act and legislation to reform credit card routing to lower swipe fees.