More Than $1 Million in Scholarships Disbursed for 2026-27
The CGA Educational Foundation is thrilled to celebrate the completion of its 2026-27 Scholarship Program, marking the most successful scholarship program in its history. This year, CGAEF, in partnership with member companies, awarded a record-breaking 444 scholarships totaling an unprecedented $1,153,320, representing the largest scholarship disbursement in the Foundation’s history.
This milestone brings CGAEF’s total lifetime disbursement to more than $12.5 million, translating to nearly 7,500 scholarships awarded to grocery industry employees and their families.
“Thank you to the more than 60 donors who made this year a historic one for the CGAEF scholarship program. Your partnership and investment in the grocery industry will transform the lives of hundreds of students and their families, and secure a bright future for our industry,” said Chair of the CGAEF Board of Trustees Adam Salgado, Heritage Grocers Group.
“In my last year at the helm of CGA and the Educational Foundation, I’m honored to help the Foundation reach this disbursement milestone by dedicating a legacy scholarship to my parents, Wesley and Gladys Fong. It’s a gift to be able to support students at my alma mater, Sacramento State, throughout their higher education journey,” said CGA President and CEO and CGAEF President Ron Fong.
This year’s disbursement total includes the Foundation’s signature $10,000 Legends of the Industry scholarship, awarded to Cristina Guerrero, bakery supervisor at Vallarta Supermarkets. Guerrero is currently a student at Cerritos College.
“It’s remarkable to see how much the Foundation has grown over these past few years. In 2024, the Foundation hit its $10 million milestone, and today in 2026, we’re proud to say that we’ve surpassed that landmark by another $2 million,” said CGAEF Senior Director Brianne Page.
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. If your company is not already benefitting from the CGAEF’s college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs, reach out to Jamie Cowden to get involved.