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FMI, NGA connect with U.S. lawmakers via ‘Day in Washington’ event

Pandemic impact, key grocery industry issues headline virtual conference

Russell Redman

April 21, 2021

2 Min Read
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FMI and NGA members held talks online with members of Congress and legislative staff in more than 220 meetings on Wednesday.Architect of the Capitol

FMI-The Food Industry Association and the National Grocers Association (NGA) today led food and grocery industry stakeholders in meetings with lawmakers from Congress at the 2021 Day in Washington.

FMI and NGA said Wednesday that the virtual event drew more than 230 supermarket retailers and wholesalers from 143 companies and food industry state association executives nationwide. Members from both associations connected online with members of Congress and legislative staff in over 220 meetings to advocate for key policy issues affecting the supermarket sector.

This year, the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and the grocery industry’s response and community support topped the list of policy discussions with congressional officials, FMI and NGA noted.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, supermarket operators and our millions of dedicated employees have worked tirelessly to safely keep their doors open and Americans fed. And while we’re beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel, we know there is still a long way to go,” Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI, said in a statement. “Our members look forward to sharing with policymakers the challenges they’ve faced and how they responded with unprecedented levels of investment to keep customers and workers as safe as possible, give back to their communities, and help Americans get vaccinated. Our industry is committed to working with Congress on critical policies that will allow us to effectively support the nation’s ongoing economic recovery.”

Related:Pandemic investments cost U.S. food retailers $24 billion, FMI study finds

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Participants included the New Jersey Food Council and Wakefern Food Corp., whose meetings with lawmakers included Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer (bottom right).

In the grassroots lobbying event, FMI and NGA members also focused on legislative issues key to their businesses, such as ensuring a fair and consistent  tax code and driving reforms to the U.S. card payments system.

“Independent community grocers have rallied to ensure their neighbors’ needs have been met in a time of crisis, and have been proactive at innovating for safety as well as retailing,” commented Greg Ferrara, NGA’s president and CEO. “This week, our industry’s leaders made sure that policymakers understand the lengths to which supermarket operators have gone to maintain and grow strong communities, and how leaders in Washington can best support these ongoing efforts. We are united as an industry in working with Congress on the most impactful ways to lead our communities into a strong and vibrant future.”

Participants in the April 21 Day in Washington event included the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC). In a tweet, NJFC said members met with New Jersey congressional representatives, including Josh Gottheimer (D., N.J.), who talked with members of the council and grocery retail cooperative Wakefern Food Corp.

Related:NGA calls for crackdown on grocery retail ‘power buyers’

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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