National Grocers Association

06/03/2026

Recently, AWG Cares provided a grant award in the amount of $3,000 to American Cancer Society, Fit2Be. The grant request was submitted by Alan Baer, an AWG Support Center employee.

The American Cancer Society is a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people with cancer and their families through research, advocacy, and patient support—working to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Guided by that mission, the Fit2Be Cancer Free initiative brings organizations and teammates together through a wellness-focused challenge that promotes healthy activity while raising awareness and funds in the fight against cancer. By combining movement, connection, and purpose, participants help advance cancer prevention efforts and support patients, survivors, and caregivers in communities across the country.

Thank you, Alan, for donating to AWG Cares and submitting this grant request!

To learn more about AWG Cares and learn how to donate to the funds, please visit: https://awginc.com/about-us/awg-cares/

06/03/2026

🎤 NGA Fresh Summit (June 15-17) - Meet Our Speakers

Fresh Future: Reimagining the Independent Store Experience - Explore how , local supplier relationships, and a culture of are reshaping the future of fresh in this moderated panel of retail experts.

See the agenda and register here: https://www.nationalgrocers.org/news-events/fresh-summit/

06/03/2026

Pricing Fast Fact #4

Electronic shelf labels are accuracy tools. They ensure the shelf price always matches the register price.

06/02/2026

🛒Grocery Pricing Fast Fact

In 1974, US lawmakers tried to ban the barcode because could "change prices" - today, they are doing the same thing with electronic shelf labels.

06/02/2026

💡 Have a great idea to expand your store or improve food access in your community?

The HFFI FARE Fund is one of the only federal grant opportunities designed specifically for independent grocers—and the NGA Foundation’s Grocer Solutions Center is here to help you bring that idea to life.

The FARE Fund supports:

✔️ New grocery stores
✔️ Store expansions
✔️ Supply chain and infrastructure projects
✔️ Efforts that increase access to fresh, healthy food

And here’s the best part:

🆓 We’re offering free grant writing support for eligible NGA members.

Our team provides hands-on guidance to help you:
• Understand eligibility
• Shape a strong project
• Build a competitive application

If selected, we’ll work closely with you to develop your proposal—and we can continue supporting you post-award with technical assistance ranging from financial analysis to site selection, technology, and community engagement.

Ready to get started?

Step 1: Take the eligibility quiz
👉 https://form.typeform.com/to/ssZsWVre

Step 2: Apply for grant writing support
👉 https://forms.monday.com/forms/19267f968c42dfc75e32c8ae286098ea?r=use1

06/01/2026

The Shelby Report: Associated Food Stores (official) Collects 165K Pounds Of Food In UT Statewide Drive

AFS, a cooperatively-owned wholesale distributor, mobilized its Associated Retail Operations (ARO) locations along with Lee’s Marketplace, Bella’s Market, Davis Food & Drug, Peterson’s Fresh Market and Stewart’s Marketplace to serve as community drop-off points. The combined collection from these independent grocers pushed the entire Feed Utah drive to a total of 801,331 pounds collected across all partners.

“We appreciate the many team members at retail and wholesale who made this effort possible,” said Sarah Pettit, director of public affairs for AFS.

The Shelby Report

AFS played a pivotal role in the 2026 Feed Utah Food Drive, collecting 165,443 pounds of food – more than half of the statewide total.

06/01/2026

Pricing Fast Fact 4

Electronic Shelf Labels are accuracy tools - they ensure the shelf price always matches the register price.

06/01/2026

📰NGA Opposes OCC’s Interim Final Rule Allowing National Banks to Set Interchange Fees Through Third-Party Arrangements

The OCC rule represents a significant departure from longstanding federal banking policy by explicitly authorizing national banks to receive interchange fees established through third-party arrangements rather than through competition among banks.

🔗

NGA Submits Comments Stating Rule Undermines Competition and Raises Costs for Independent Grocers and Consumers

05/27/2026

🛒 Grocery Pricing Fact

Grocery prices are based on farm, transportation, processing, distribution, and retail costs - not algorithms.

05/27/2026

Attention Grocers!

States have begun issuing chip-enabled EBT cards as part of nationwide SNAP modernization, and Michigan’s rollout is expected very soon! This means that Michigan retailers have a short window to prepare for critical POS system updates.

Access the on-demand webinar: "EBT Chip Cards: What Retailers and GusNIP Programs Need to Know" from the NGA Foundation and Michigan Farmers Market Association. https://vimeo.com/1194439239?fl=ip&fe=ec

We hope this webinar provides a clear understanding of what to expect and how to prepare, as well as gives you access to resources. Need more support to get ready for the rollout?
Our experts are here to help, free-of-charge. https://www.nationalgrocers.org/semtac/get-support-semtac/