Rising Tides 2020 Summit

On Wednesday, CGA CEO and President Ron Fong was a featured panelist during the Rising Tides 2020 summit at the state capitol. The two-day policy discussion was put together by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) and focused on economic security issues.

Fong was one of four panelists selected to participate in a session titled, “What do Workers Need? Critical Roles for Unions and Companies in the New Economy.” The panel was moderated by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) and also include Rana Sarkar, Consul General of Canada; Jeni Chih, Senior Director of Global Benefits for Gap, Inc.; and Tia Orr, Director of Government Affairs at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

With multiple legislators in attendance, alongside many other policy influencers, the summit was the perfect venue to place California’s grocery community and its unique qualities front-and-center for lawmakers.

In one particular highlight from the discussion, the CGA CEO shared how thinking around how to help workers adapt should start with the state’s housing crisis.

“I think affordable housing has become an issue,” Fong said. “We’re still building new stores in our communities. When we open a new store, we tend to hire within. The issue lately that has been identified is: Can we draw from our own community because they can afford to live there?”

Watch the full livestream.