Store Owners, Operators, and greater ASG Community,



We are excited to share the highlights from our recent participation at the National Grocers Association (NGA) Fly-In for Fair Competition in Washington D.C. Last week, our team, led by Zulema Wiscovitch and Michelle Mendoza, joined grocers and industry executives from across the country for this two-day advocacy event on Capitol Hill. Our aim was to raise awareness about the policies affecting the supermarket industry and to foster a level playing field for independent supermarkets.

During our meetings with congressional representatives, we focused on the importance of enforcing and strengthening the Robinson-Patman Act, a 1930s-era law that safeguards smaller retailers (independents) against price discrimination. We passionately voiced our concerns and urged Congress to act against anti-competitive practices employed by dominant food retailers.

Additionally, we advocated for credit card swipe fee reform by supporting the Credit Card Competition Act legislation. Furthermore, we emphasized the significance of the Farm Bill, to ensure that independents can continue to provide nutrition assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while avoiding unnecessary government interference.

We had the privilege of meeting with several influential congressional offices that included:

Representative Marc Molinaro's (R) NY-019

Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman's (D) NJ-012

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D)-NY, Chief Counsel, Evan Turnage

The office of Representative Nydia Velázquez (D) NY-007 and Senior Staff Member, Matt Bowman, at U.S. House Committee on Small Business

The office of Representative Ritchie Torres (D) NY-015

The office of Representative Paul Tonko (D)-NY-02

The office of Representative Donald Norcross(D) NJ-001

We extend our gratitude to these elected officials and their representatives for the time and attentiveness to our concerns. Their support and understanding of the challenges faced by independent supermarkets are crucial steps towards achieving fair competition in our industry.

To amplify our collective voice and increase our impact, we encourage you to consider becoming a member of the National Grocers Association. For membership inquiries, please contact Jonathan Downey at jdowney@nationalgrocers.org, identifying yourself as an ASG retailer. Alternatively, you can also reach out to Michelle Mendoza, Vice President of Marketing & CX at Michelle.Mendoza@asghq.com, to learn more about membership benefits and ASG's engagement in industry relations.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the independent supermarket sector. Together, we will continue to advocate for a vibrant and competitive marketplace that benefits us all.

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