The New Fault Lines in California Politics

Following a tumultuous statewide redistricting process, the first California Grocer issue of 2022 covers everything you need to know about California politics this year.

In her first column as CGA Chair, Renee Amen shares her take on state legislators’ “Great Resignation” and calls for unity across the political aisle. Louie Brown from Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP breaks down both new laws and existing laws going into effect this year.

With two years of COVID under our belts, CGA Vice President of Government Relations Kelly Ash sorts through the contradictions in some statewide COVID policies ending, while others, like supplemental paid sick leave, remain in place. NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara covers Congress’s to-do list for 2022 as it relates to the economy, the supply chain, and more.  Matt Rodriguez, CEO of Rodriguez Strategies, forecasts the future of the California Democratic party and the state’s progressive politics following redistricting.

Must read sections from Issue 1:

• Chair’s Message: A Fresh Year
  Renee Amen

• Need to Know: New Laws for 2022
  Louie Brown

• Lessons I’ve Learned on Leadership and Life
  Kevin Konkel

• Shifting Electoral Dynamics in Democratic California
  Matt Rodriguez

Read Issue 1 here.

Legislative Briefings and Elected Official Meetings Set Political Agenda for Grocers

Thank you to all who joined us at this week’s Grocers Day event in Sacramento! Grocers Day looked a little different this year. Attendees gathered at the Citizen Hotel and heard from a diverse set of speakers on what to expect in 2022. Members were given the opportunity to ask questions and share concerns directly to speakers. Asm. Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-03) shared his party’s priorities for the year ahead, citing PAGA reform, the homelessness crisis, theft and crime, and cost of living as top of mind issues. Christy Wilson (Wilson Public Affairs) provided a comprehensive update on the campaign to reform and replace PAGA and talked about what our industry can do to help get our measure on the November ballot for 2022. Robert Moutrie (CalChamber) shared his insight on what businesses can expect of future CalOSHA workplace safety regulations.   Asm. Phil Ting (D-19) sat down with Louie Brown (Kahn, Soares & Conway LLP) for a fireside chat where they covered the budget surplus, redistricting, and the “Great Resignation” of lawmakers.   Lastly, CGA’s very own Kelly Ash and Michel LeClerc (GR Committee Chair) discussed all things related to the CGA PAC and 2022 elections.  Thank you to our wonderful speakers, sponsors, and attendees for another successful Grocers Day!

Advocate Face-to-Face

As business operators in California’s highly-regulated landscape, it’s essential that members are equipped with the latest information on policy issues that may affect their stores and employees. Further, as one of the largest employers in the state, grocers deserve the opportunity to educate elected officials on the the industry’s perspective and day-to-day challenges.

CGA’s Grocers Day at the Capitol is the perfect setting for members to connect with legislators face-to-face to discuss all things California policy for the year ahead.   

Grocers Day is taking a new shape for 2022. This year, members will convene at The Citizen Hotel to receive comprehensive briefings from legislative and regulatory leaders, issue experts, and politicians on the most pressing issues impacting our industry and state including: CalOSHA’s permanent regulations, recycling, PAGA initiative, and local elections.  

Afterwards, join Louie Brown (Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP) for a fireside chat with legislators, giving members the opportunity to ask questions and share their own perspectives through guided conversation. Our day of advocacy will conclude with an evening President’s Reception. We hope to see you there!  

Find the full agenda for Grocers Day below.

Register Today

Join us for Grocers Day in Sacramento on April 6, 2022 from 12-4 p.m., followed by an evening President’s Reception. Download your registration form below. 

Contact Kelly Ash for more information. 

Join us for an immersive educational session

CGA’s annual Symposium showcases hands-on educational experiences to inspire our guests for the year of business ahead. This January, guests will be immersed in Hawaiian agriculture with a private farm-to-table tour of Kahumana Farm, one of O’ahu’s largest sustainable farming operations.

We’ll explore the role food can play in supporting communities in need with tastings and interactive activities.

Guests will have the opportunity to taste tropical fruits, learn about indigenous crops (‘ulu, kalo), feed farm animals, and harvest crops. Following the tour, we will enjoy a 3-course meal from the on-site café and learn about the farm’s mission to celebrate the bounty of Hawaii’s natural and cultural environment while addressing some of her most pressing needs.

Join your peers January 9-16, 2022, at the Four Seasons Resort, O’ahu at Ko Olina to renew and recharge for the new year. Learn more about our educational sessions or register here.

For questions, please email Beth Wright, Sr. Director, Events & Sponsorship, or call (916) 228-4424.

Keynote Rich Bracken on Emotional Intelligence

We are thrilled to unveil our first speaker for the upcoming Independent Operators Symposium, Rich Bracken, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Foundry.

Rich will lead a discussion on “Effective Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence” to uncover game-changing tools to improve job performance, develop resilience, and benefit your business. A keynote speaker, author, and professor of leadership, Rich influences leaders and global companies, ranging from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, through his dynamic keynote speeches.

Be the Disruptor with Mike Maddock

Our second Symposium speaker, “disruptor” Mike Maddock, CEO and Founding Partner, Maddock Douglas.

Mike will reveal to guests the ways renowned leaders successfully “disrupt” and how you can, too, can become a disruptor in the fast-changing world of business. Mike’s passion for solving problems with disrupting ideas led him to establish Maddock Douglas, Inc., now an internationally recognized innovation consultancy that has helped more than 25% of the Fortune 100 create and launch new products, services, and business models.

About Symposium

Symposium guests will have the opportunity to unplug and reset with insightful speakers and moderated share group discussions. We hope you will join us from January 9-16, 2022 at the Four Seasons Resort, O’ahu at Ko Olina to connect with industry peers and get inspired for the year of business ahead.

Registration is open. Download your form here.

For questions, please email Beth Wright, Sr. Director, Events & Sponsorship, or call (916) 228-4424.

California grocers have proven to be community pillars throughout the pandemic.

This rings true for Southern California retailer Northgate Gonzalez Market, which has offered outstanding support to its community of largely low-income, Spanish-speaking shoppers over the past 21 months.  In efforts to simplify the endless stream of conflicting information around the virus, Northgate convened a COVID-19 Vaccine Committee to provide education and vaccine access to associates and community members. Now, the committee has hosted over 150 vaccine clinics and helped vaccinate over 8,000 individuals. The committee also coordinates transportation to vaccine appointments and creates Spanish-language PSAs and messaging to keep community members informed and build trust in the latest guidance.

For its thoughtful solutions to the public health crisis, Northgate won FMI’s 2021 Community Uplift Award in the category of Neighborhood Health Development programs. 

Read more about Northgate Gonzalez Market’s efforts to keep its community safe here.

In mid-October, dozens of independent grocers and suppliers tee’d-off at Foxtail Golf Course in Santa Rosa, Calif.

Members of California’s independent grocery community enjoyed a day out on the greens, along with the chance to reconnect in person through a bit of healthy competition.

Thank you to our sponsors for making this day out of the office possible!

Check out highlights from the tournament below.

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Keynote Rich Bracken on Emotional Intelligence

We are thrilled to unveil our first speaker for the upcoming Independent Operators Symposium, Rich Bracken, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Foundry.

Rich will lead a discussion on “Effective Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence” to uncover game-changing tools to improve job performance, develop resilience, and benefit your business. A keynote speaker, author, and professor of leadership, Rich influences leaders and global companies, ranging from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, through his dynamic keynote speeches.

Symposium allows for a necessary break from the screen to power off and renew your creativity. We hope you will join us from January 9-16, 2022 at the Four Seasons Resort, O’ahu at Ko Olina to unplug, connect with industry peers and partners, and get inspired to bring the best to your business in the new year.

Registration is open. Download your form here.

For questions, please email Beth Wright, Sr. Director, Events & Sponsorship, or call (916) 228-4424.

EMERGING BETTER TOGETHER

Following a safe and successful Strategic Conference in Palm Springs where members discovered how to emerge from the past year’s challenges together and stronger than ever, Issue 3 of California Grocer celebrates central themes from Conference and showcases the best and brightest of the industry.

CGAEF’s 2021 Legends of the Industry scholarship winner, Michael Weir, Assistant Manager of Smart & Final in Bakersfield, reveals his approach to balance under pressure. Keynote speaker Bruce Kirkby shares his perspective on grit versus grind and how to use purpose, practice, and process to improve an organization’s performance.  CGA Chair Hee-Sook Nelson recaps our recent Leadership Summit in Santa Barbara where attendees looked ahead to the Association’s 5-year strategic vision. As the Independent Operators Symposium approaches this January, NGA President and CEO, Greg Ferrara, sheds light on the strength and impact of independent operators in grocery today.

Read Issue 3 here.

Registration is now open for the 2022 Symposium

The 2022 Independent Operators Symposium allows for a much needed break from the screen to power off and renew your creativity. 

The past year has emphasized how adaptable and resilient our industry is in the face of uncertain supply chains and rising prices. We have learned to not take past predictability for granted as we consistently show up as an industry. While our industry continues to provide essential support to our communities through an ever-changing landscape, Symposium gives us the opportunity to take a pause and get inspired to kickstart 2022.

We invite you to join us January 9-16, 2022, at the Four Seasons Resort, O’ahu at Ko Olina to unplug, connect with industry peers and partners, and boot up for the year ahead. Give yourself the space to make the next year a great one.

The Symposium offers a restorative week chock full of enlightening speakers and moderated share group discussions in a transformative setting to reset your mind, invigorate your spirit and bring the best to your business in the new year.

Registration is open. Download your form below.

For questions, please email Beth Wright, Sr. Director, Events & Sponsorship, or call (916) 228-4424.