Supporting Independent Grocers from Washington, D.C. to Staten Island and across local communities: 2025 NGA Fly-In

Store Owners, Operators, and greater ASG Community,

Last week, ASG attended the National Grocers Association (NGA) Fly-In in Washington, D.C., joining independent grocery leaders to advocate for policies that impact both the success of our businesses and the communities we serve. Three critical issues discussed were the importance of protecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is vital for food security in underserved areas, Lowering the Cost of Credit Card Swipe fees, and advocating for Fair Pricing in the Supply Chain.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) discussing the impact of SNAP cuts with Bill Fani, Owner of Met Foods and Village Barn

While ASG was in D.C., the significance of protecting SNAP became even more apparent with local developments in Staten Island. On Thursday, Senator Chuck Schumer condemned a proposed bill that could leave thousands of families without food assistance. Bill Fani, owner of Met Foods — spoke out to emphasize that SNAP is not only a lifeline for families, but also a critical driver of local grocery businesses. Bill highlighted that “SNAP is a bipartisan issue,” noting that, as a proud Republican, he believes SNAP is not only essential for food security but also for driving local commerce, jobs, and long-term community health.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer hosted a press conference to oppose SNAP cuts at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island, NY. In attendance, faith leaders, food pantries and supermarket businesses, Bensonhurst Market/Met Fresh and Met Foods/Village Barn.

Representative Nyidia (D) NY-07, staffer, along with Zulema Wiscovitch and Joe Garcia, co-Presidents and co- CEO of ASG

Why SNAP Concerns Need to echo in the halls of Washington:

For independent grocers, particularly in underserved areas, SNAP is essential for both food access and business viability. ASG’s advocacy in D.C. focused on ensuring the continued support of this vital program to safeguard families’ access to healthy food and the ongoing success of grocery businesses.

Advocacy efforts in Washington speaking directly to elected officials are critical. With rising costs and supply chain disruptions continuing to impact our margins, it is essential that we advocate legislative support to mitigate these challenges for Supply Chain Resilience and Fair Pricing. Equally critical, the need for Credit Card Routing Reform the Credit Card Competition Act to reduce exorbitant swipe fees.

Office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D)-NY

Office U.S. Representative Nick LaLota (NY-01)

ASG participating in Government Relations, and strategic meetings for advocacy with peer independents from across the country at 2025 NGA Fly-In.

Key Takeaways from the NGA Fly-In and Local Advocacy:

Connecting D.C. Advocacy to Local Communities: SNAP funding to protect food security and local businesses in underserved areas. NGA's efforts in D.C. are aimed at preventing cuts that could harm both families and independent grocers.
SNAP’s Role in Local Commerce: SNAP’s bipartisan support is crucial for sustaining local economies. For independent grocers, preserving SNAP funding is essential to ensure continued operations and job growth in local communities. Contact Your Elected Officials to Protect SNAP
The Need for Balanced Regulation: Policies that impose additional compliance costs without clear benefits to food access or nutrition can be damaging to small businesses.

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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