FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793 1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail: [email protected]

New President To Assume Duties on March 31, 2008

SACRAMENTO, CA (March 13, 2008) – California Grocers Association Chairman of the Board Richard E. Morgan, Jr., Holiday/Sav‐Mor Foods, announced today that Ronald Fong has been named the Association’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Fong joins CGA after 12 years with the California Credit Union League (CCUL) where he was Vice President of State Government Affairs. He was responsible for the League’s 10‐person Sacramento office and directed its advocacy program.

Prior to that, Fong was Corporate President for United Market, Inc., his family’s independent grocery company operating neighborhood stores in the Sacramento region. He grew up working in his family’s stores and understands the grocery industry from the backroom to the boardroom. His grandfather started Carmichael Supermarket, the first grocery market in Carmichael, in 1941.

Morgan said CGA’s Executive Committee unanimously selected Fong from an impressive list of candidates based on his strong advocacy skills and knowledge of the legislative process.

“We are very fortunate to have an individual that fit all our main criteria,” Morgan said. “Ron is extremely enthusiastic about government relations, has a strong grocery background, is a native Californian and a lawyer. The Board of Directors believes he is the perfect candidate.”

While at CCUL, Fong was credited with aggressively expanding its legislative advocacy department through the implementation of a series of programs and initiatives including the re‐tooling of the League’s political advocacy committee or PAC, grassroots development and lobbying team.

“I have had the pleasure of working with many seriously talented government relations professionals at the California Credit Union League,” Fong said. “Together, we built a full‐scale government relations program that we believe to be among the best in California and Nevada.”

Fong’s appointment is the result of a nationwide search that began in January and is effective immediately. He will take up his new duties on March 31.

As President, Fong will serve as the Association’s chief legislative advocate and oversee CGA’s government relations, member services, convention and communications programs. In addition to his Association responsibilities, Fong will also serve as President of the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF). The Foundation provides financial support for educational programs, including college scholarships and career development, and industry research projects.

“I have the privilege of leading CGA, an industry which I care deeply for, to the next level of excellence, particularly in government relations,” Fong said. “The grocery business has provided my family with the opportunity of serving our community for over 50 years. I am proud to come back to the business I have known all my life to help our members with the challenges and changes of the future.”

The California Grocers Association is a non‐profit, statewide trade association that has represented the food industry since 1898. CGA membership includes approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies. The Association is recognized as the industry leader in the areas of government and industry relations, public relations, education and communications.

Fong succeeds Peter J. Larkin who resigned in October 2007 after 11 years as CGA president to open a public affairs firm based in Sacramento. Fong’s wife, Carol, is a licensed clinical counselor. Together, they are parents to Jaden, a second grade student. The family resides in Carmichael, CA.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

A Victory for Fairness in Food Retailing and Inner City Consumers

SACRAMENTO, CA (March 4, 2008) – The California Grocers Association today applauded the final ruling issued by the Honorable Ralph W. Dau, Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, finding the City of Los Angeles’ Grocery Worker Retention Ordinance to be unconstitutional. CGA characterized the ruling as a victory for fairness in food retailing and for providing increased food options for inner city consumers.

The ordinance, passed in December 2005, was the first attempt in the nation to require a certain class of supermarket retailers to retain workers when a store changed ownership.
Judge Dau found the ordinance unconstitutional on two separate bases:

• The ordinance conflicts with statewide food safety and food handler laws and is therefore preempted by the California Retail Food Code, and
• The ordinance’s discrimination between grocery stores based on size and on whether they have a collective bargaining agreement with a union are impermissible distinctions and thus violate the equal protection guarantees of the state and federal Constitutions.

“We are satisfied with Judge Dau’s final ruling,” said Jill Rulon, Acting President, California Grocers Association. “Since the Grocery Worker Retention Ordinance has been in effect, sales of grocery stores from one operator to another in the City of Los Angeles have ceased. Stopping the growth of new retail in the city was just one of the many harmful impacts this law had on city residents.”

“We strongly believed that the ordinance is unlawful and unenforceable because it is preempted by federal labor relations laws, violates the equal protection rights of employers, conflicts with state food-related health and safety laws, and improperly dictates rules of employment.”

The City of Los Angeles passed its controversial grocery worker retention ordinance in December 2005. The cities of Santa Monica, San Francisco and Gardena also passed similar ordinances. The California Grocers Association mounted a legal challenge to the ordinance in May 2006 labeling the ordinance improper, unlawful and unenforceable. The case went to trial in August 2007. In October, Judge Dau issued a tentative ruling finding the ordinance to be void on two constitutional bases. A final ruling was issued on February 11, 2008.

“Judge Dau’s decision is a major victory for consumers, particularly those in economically disadvantaged communities where fewer supermarkets means less options and decreased access to affordable produce and meats,” Rulon said. Community and business leaders opposed the ordinance because it encouraged supermarkets and potentially other businesses to locate outside the city limits and to avoid communities where the need is greater.

“The ordinance was a major setback in retailers’ efforts to bring more grocery stores to underserved urban areas,” Rulon added. “ Unfortunately, the City of Los Angeles spent taxpayers’ dollars – money that could have been better spent in this slowing economy – defending a poorly conceived ordinance.”

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The California Grocers Association has been the voice of the California food industry since 1898. CGA is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing over 500 retail members operating more than 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.