CGA Announces Promotions as Part of Long-Term Growth and Leadership Plan

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Three Association team members were promoted to senior leadership roles as the trade group positions itself for continued success.

SACRAMENTO, CA (January 21, 2025) The California Grocers Association (CGA) has promoted Jennifer Gold to Vice President, People Operations and Administration; Nate Rose to Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs; and Beth Wright to Executive Director, Events and Sponsorship. The promotions are part of a long-term growth plan as the Association sets itself up to thrive into the future.

Prior to their promotions, Gold, Rose, and Wright led the Association’s “Senior Development Team,” which was tasked with managing CGA’s day to day operations. All three will continue in this role alongside Daniel Conway, Vice President of Government Relations, while the organization develops new leadership pathways and responsibilities. The Association’s “Executive Leadership Team” is comprised of President and CEO Ronald Fong and COO and Senior Vice President Doug Scholz.

The first step in a multi-pronged plan to ensure long-term growth and stability, CGA’s aim is to ensure it is well-positioned to build upon and expand its ability to advocate for California’s grocery industry.

“Beth, Jen, and Nate have proven they’re not only experts in their fields, but that they have tremendous leadership ability and still untapped potential. By charting their advancement we’re making sure CGA continues to grow and serve its mission as a best-in-class organization,” said Ronald  Fong, CGA President and CEO.

CGA members and grocery industry peers are encouraged to connect with Gold, Rose, and Wright on LinkedIn or via email.

CGAEF College Scholarship Applications Open Now

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The California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) is now accepting college scholarship applications for 2025.

CGAEF is thrilled to offer nearly 400 college scholarships, totaling more than $825,000, to CGA member company employees and their college-bound dependents. Scholarship awards range from $1,000 – $10,000.

The deadline to submit an application and all required documentation is April 1, 2025.

Who is eligible to apply?

High school seniors, college undergraduates, and graduate students who are employed by a CGA member company, or have a parent employed by a CGA member company, since April 1, 2024. 

What is the criteria for the selection of recipients? 

Selection criteria includes past and current academic performance, participation in school, community and extracurricular activities, and for some awards, financial need and/or essay content. 

What information is required on the application?

  • Applicant’s personal demographics
  • Employee’s demographics and company information
  • High school information including class rank
  • College information, if applicable
  • Student Aid Report (SAR), if applicable

Independent Grocers Recharge at Symposium

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Following the busy holiday season, the independent grocery community kicked off 2025 with CGA at the Independent Operators Symposium. This week-long retreat on Maui allowed operators to step away from the everyday to reset, recharge, and refocus on the future success of their business.

With a blend of thought-provoking speakers, practical discussions, and a serene environment, grocers had the opportunity to recharge their energy and reignite their vision for the future.

Insightful education sessions helped attendees gain fresh perspectives to drive future success. T-shirt company founder Johnny “Cupcakes” Earle spoke about building brand loyalty; author Mike Lee discussed the future of food; President and CEO of the National Grocers Association Greg Ferrara reviewed the national political and regulatory state of play; and business leadership author David Mead shared how to create high performance through humanity.

Thank you to attendees and event sponsors for starting your year with us! Check out event photos below. 

Southern California Fire Disaster Resources

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A series of historic wildfires have scorched the Greater Los Angeles region, damaging more than 9,000 structures, burning through tens of thousands of acres, and leading to the evacuation of nearly 100,000 area residents. As the voice of California’s grocery industry, CGA is in close contact with State of California, Los Angeles elected officials, and disaster-relief organizations.

Find resources related to everything from SNAP waivers to employer guidance in the Association’s “Emergency Operations” hub.

Michel LeClerc to Chair CGA Board 

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North State Grocery Executive Elected Chair of CGA Board of Directors

SACRAMENTO, CA (Dec. 18, 2024) – Michel LeClerc, Chief Administrative Officer, North State Grocery, Inc., was elected the 2024-2025 California Grocers Association (CGA) Chair of the Board of Directors at the Association’s Annual Meeting on Dec. 6, 2024. 

As Chair, LeClerc will lead the Board’s strategy regarding CGA’s numerous legislative, educational, and industry-related programs. CGA is comprised of more than 350 retail companies, operating more than 6,000 stores in the west. The chair serves for one year. LeClerc succeeds Lynn Melillo, Vice President of Asset Management, Bristol Farms. 

“Michel has long been committed to the Association and will make a fantastic Board Chair,” CGA President and CEO Ron Fong. “His experience leading our Government Relations Committee over many years has made him intimately familiar with California’s political environment and the challenges and opportunities impacting the grocery industry and will be of great benefit to our members.” 

In his current role, LeClerc oversees North State’s strategic planning, human resources, real estate, legal, compliance, government relations, and Employee Stock Ownership Plan. LeClerc joined North State in 2011 as General Counsel and later served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. He holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from University of Oregon School of Law. LeClerc has served on the CGA Board of Directors since 2011 and has been Chair of the Government Relations Committee since 2014. 

In addition to LeClerc, the following individuals were elected to the 2024-2025 CGA Board of Directors Executive Committee: First Vice Chair, Richard Wardwell, Superior Grocers; Second Vice Chair, Jonson Chen, Tawa Supermarket Inc.; Treasurer, Pam Burke, Grocery Outlet; Secretary, Bertha Luna, State Bros. Markets; Immediate Past Chair, Lynn Melillo, Bristol Farms. 

Directors elected to their first full three-year team include: Steve Brancamp, UNFI; Dorothy Carlow, Mother’s Market & Kitchen; Justin Hyer, Molson Coors Beverage Company; Brady Matoian, OK Produce; Candance Minton, PepsiCo; Chris Richmond, Post Consumer Brands; Amber Hammond, KeHe Distributors. 

Directors elected to their second full three-year term include: Joe Angulo, Chedauri USA, Inc.; Jon Gianinni, Nutricion Fundamental; Brandon Lombardi, Sprouts Farmers Markets; Andrew Nodes, Instacart; Bethany Pautsch, Tyson Foods, Inc.; Eric Pearlman, C&S Wholesale Grocers; Marc Swisher, Mondelez International, Inc. 

Elliott Stone, Mollie Stone’s Markets was re-elected Executive Committee-IOC Chair. Former CGA Chair Dennis Darling, Foods Etc. IGA was elected an honorary board member. 

SB 54 FAQs for 2025

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Foam Food Service Ware Prohibition

The passage of SB 54 ushered in a new era for packaging in California by requiring 100 percent of plastic packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2032. Included in the legislation, however, is a provision restricting the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene food service ware (Public Resources Code 42057(i)).

Ahead of the new year, CGA addressed frequently asked questions about the requirements of SB 54 pertaining to expanded polystyrene food service ware impacting grocery retailers effective January 1, 2025.

Click the link below to access the members-only SB 54 FAQ.

2025 New Laws Webinar

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CGA understands the challenges members face when impacted by new legislation and strives to provide educational resources to address those challenges. 

On Tuesday, November 12 from 10:00 – 11:30 am PST, the CGA Educational Foundation hosted a webinar to help companies learn more about the requirements of upcoming laws that will affect the grocery industry. Topics for the webinar include, but are not limited to, the list of bills below. 

The 2025 New Laws webinar is now available on-demand for member companies.

Topics:

AB 98 – Warehouses & Logistic Centers

Establishes requirements for the building of new or expansion of existing logistics centers near sensitive sites. 

SB 1046 – Compostable Produce Bags

Requires pre-checkout bags to be compostable beginning January 1, 2025.

SB 399 – Captive Audience Meetings – Employer Restrictions 

Prohibits an employer from punishing an employee that chooses not to participate in certain employer sponsored meetings.

SB 428 – Employee Harassment – Protective Orders

Allows an employer to seek a TRO on behalf of an employee that has suffered harassment.

SB 1053 – Plastic Checkout Bags

Restricts retailers to provide only paper bags at the point of sale for a charge beginning January 1, 2026.

Register Today: Annual Government Relations Meeting

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Join CGA’s Government Relations Team in Los Angeles

The grocery industry had a banner year at the Capitol in 2024, and the Association is gearing up for even bolder actions in 2025.

Join CGA’s government relations team in Los Angeles for its annual in-person meeting to strategize priorities for the year ahead and discuss key initiatives. Together, we’ll explore next steps for CRV recycling, unpack SB 54 and its implications for the industry, and recap outcomes from 2024. 

We hope you’ll join us at 1 p.m. on November 14 at the West Hollywood Aquatics and Recreation Center. Afterwards, stick around for drinks and bites at one of West Hollywood’s hottest spots, Catch LA to celebrate the year’s wins. 

Don’t wait to save your spot! Click the link below to register.

Please direct your questions to Daniel Conway.

CGA Explores AI at 2024 Strategic Conference

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Each year, CGA brings the California grocery industry together for three days of networking and education to strengthen business connections and explore timely topics and challenges facing the industry. In late September, the grocery community reunited in Palm Springs for the 2024 CGA Strategic Conference: Accelerating Impact. With emerging technologies transforming retail and the way we do business, this year’s conference centered on the impacts of artificial intelligence and new technology to help the grocery industry prepare.

A high-powered panel of AI and supply chain experts took the main stage to break down the implications of AI for the value chain. MIT professor Vivek Farias led a deep dive presentation on AI, then joined a panel discussion featuring Mario Adamy (UNFI), Miguel Paredes (Silicon Foundry), and Craig Rosenblum (Columbus Consulting).

In addition to our signature retailer-supplier business meetings and networking opportunities, this year’s event featured several new sessions and social events. Comedian Jake Johanssen kicked off the event with a hilarious stand-up routine, and attendees decompressed after a day of meetings and education at the CGA Silent Disco. To help attendees navigate California’s unique customers and retail environment, we introduced the first Golden State Summit. Led by subject experts, these TED-talk style presentations unpacked the state’s population and demographic shifts (Hans Johnson, PPIC), the evolving retail environment and store formats (Caroline Wu, Placer.ai), attitudes toward new technology (Jeremy S. Thompson, Edelman Global Advisory), and emerging consumer trends and preferences (Dan Frommer, The New Consumer).

The popular Emerging Brands Pitch Contest was back this year and bigger than ever. Six hand-selected emerging companies took the main stafe to pitch their product to a panel of judges representing Bristol Farms, Gelson’s Markets, Safeway Northern California, Costco Wholesale, and Sprouts Farmers Market. Myles Comfort Food took home first place and the people’s choice award, followed Top Fox Snacks in second place and Fresh Fizz Sodas in third.

Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, partners, and attendees, for contributing to the success of this year’s conference. We hope you left our event with strong connections and valuable takeaways to accelerate your business into the food industry’s fast-paced future.

Save the date for next year’s Strategic Conference on September 21—23, 2025 at The Westin Mission Hills, Rancho Mirage.

CGAEF Reaches $10 Million Scholarship Milestone

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The California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) is thrilled to announce it has reached a significant milestone of awarding $10 million in college scholarships to grocery industry employees and their dependents.

Thanks to the grocery industry’s incredible generosity and commitment to education, CGAEF has awarded 6,571 scholarships to California Grocers Association member company employees and their dependents since the Foundation’s inception in 1998. This exciting achievement reflects the grocery industry’s investment in the future of its workforce.

Through our scholarship program, CGAEF helps nurture and retain industry talent to shape the next generation of grocery leaders. This $10 million landmark has already made a lasting impact on thousands of industry employees striving to achieve their dreams.

On behalf of the CGAEF Board of Trustees and staff, we extend our gratitude to the hundreds of individuals and companies who have contributed to this milestone. Your support has made all the difference in molding our industry’s future leadership. CGAEF is proud to support the personal and professional ambitions of hardworking grocery employees.

CGAEF scholarships are open to high school seniors, college undergraduate and graduate students who are employees of, or the dependent sons or daughters of employees of, a CGA member company. For more information on the CGAEF scholarship program, click here.