LAS VEGAS — The National Grocers Association (NGA) opened its 43rd annual NGA Show with a powerful message of resilience, unity, and forward-looking leadership. Industry executives, retailers, wholesalers, and partners gathered to reflect on a pivotal year for independent grocers and to prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Greg Ferrara, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association, welcomed attendees with a tribute to the strength and spirit of America’s independent grocery community. He acknowledged the demanding environment that grocers face — from economic pressures to unpredictable regulatory shifts—but emphasized that independents remain uniquely positioned to thrive.
“Independents have been Make America Healthy Again long before it became a trend,” Ferrara said, noting the surge in consumer demand for fresh, local, and authentic offerings—areas where independent grocers excel.
IGA Marks 100 Years of Global Independent Retailing
One of the evening’s highlights was the celebration of the Independent Grocers Alliance’s 100th anniversary. John Ross, IGA president and CEO, took the stage after NGA presented a special congressional recognition and an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in IGA’s honor.
Ross reflected on a century of transformation since IGA’s founding in the 1920s, when independent grocers banded together to compete against A&P—the dominant national chain of its time. “A&P is gone,” Ross noted, “and IGA has never been bigger,” with 2,600 U.S. stores and more than 7,600 global locations.
Ross emphasized that independent grocers around the world share the same challenges: regulatory pressures, labor shortages, and the race to adopt emerging technologies while running day-to-day operations. Yet what binds them together is a deeper calling.
“Our business is a relationship with the consumer, above the transaction itself,” Ross said. “When something goes wrong in the community, and they come to you, we always say yes.”
He urged grocers to stay united as they confront growing competitive threats, lobbying challenges, and market forces reshaping the food retail landscape.
Honoring Community Leadership: Walter Churchill’s Markets
The evening also celebrated remarkable community service with the presentation of the 2026 Peter J. Larkin Community Service Award, sponsored by Kimberly-Clark.
Danny De Castro, vice president of Industry Affairs at Kimberly-Clark, highlighted the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting families through initiatives such as the National Diaper Bank, which has now distributed more than 250 million diapers.
This year’s award went to Walter Churchill’s Markets, a century-old, employee-owned retailer serving northwest Ohio. The company was recognized for its deep and diverse community engagement—from fresh food donations to food bank partnerships, disability support programs, civic leadership, and annual initiatives like “Stuff the Truck.”
“For more than 100 years, Walter Churchill’s Markets has shown what it means to truly serve with purpose and lead with heart,” De Castro said.
Independent Grocers: 250 Years of American Community Building
As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, NGA showcased a powerful video reflecting the essential role independent grocers have played throughout the nation’s history—supporting communities through war, economic hardship, and cultural transformation.
From early general stores to modern supermarkets, the video emphasized a message echoed throughout the night: independent grocers are irreplaceable pillars of their communities.
Ferrara reminded the audience that this was never more clear than during last year’s unprecedented federal government shutdown, which temporarily halted SNAP funding. Independent grocers stepped up immediately, donating food, raising funds, and ensuring no one in their communities went hungry.
“When the government failed,” Ferrara said, “you delivered.”
Advocacy, Innovation, and the Path Forward
NGA chairman Richie Morgan emphasized the importance of leadership development, generational business continuity, and the evolving role of the association. He welcomed new board members, honored outgoing ones, and celebrated the growing contributions of Women Grocers of America.
Ferrara then detailed NGA’s major advocacy accomplishments from the past year:
- Protecting family-owned businesses from harmful tax changes
- Defeating proposed deep cuts to SNAP
- Securing regulatory reforms on food traceability and refrigerants
- Advancing antitrust enforcement to ensure fair competition
He praised members and state association partners for working tirelessly on these issues and encouraged grocers to stay engaged as NGA continues to fight for policies that protect competition and consumers.
A Future Built on Community, Innovation, and Courage
Ferrara closed the session by challenging attendees to embrace change—especially in technology, data, and customer engagement—while staying true to the community values that define independent retailing.
“You experiment, you innovate, and you move faster because you’re connected directly to your customers,” he said. “That agility is your advantage.”
As the 2026 NGA Show officially opened, the message was clear: independent grocers have not only survived decades of disruption—they have thrived by staying rooted in community, driven by innovation, and united through association.
