CGA Educational Foundation Fulfills Goal of $1 Million in Annual Scholarships

Posted on April 7, 2026April 7, 2026 by Grace Becker

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More than 80 Companies and Individuals Contributed to CGAEF to Reach This Milestone

SACRAMENTO, CA (April 2026) – The CGA Educational Foundation (CGAEF) has reached an exciting new landmark, receiving commitments for $1 million in available funds for college scholarships and industry development for the 2026-27 academic year.

By late March, the Foundation had raised $978k through its regular channels, consisting of donations from individuals and company partners, but was still $22k away from fulfilling its goal. Seeing that this milestone was close within reach, CEO of OK Produce Brady Matoian called on his fellow CGA Board Directors to work together to close the gap, committing his company to match donations to help CGAEF reach the $1 million landmark.

“It’s no surprise that this industry has once again gone above and beyond to take care of its community. The outstanding show of generosity demonstrated by our industry donors will enrich the next generation of grocery leaders for years to come,” said Chair of the CGAEF Board of Trustees Adam Salgado, Heritage Grocers Giving Foundation.

The CGA Educational Foundation, which has offered industry scholarships since the program’s inception in 1998, began partnering with CGA member companies to fund scholarship opportunities in 2000. Engagement and donations from member companies has grown the Foundation into what it is today: a source of growth, education, and professional development for the grocery industry.

“Seeing competitors come together for the benefit and betterment of its workforce is awe-inspiring. On behalf of the CGAEF Board of Trustees, we are deeply grateful to our donors that are helping make dreams come true and securing the bright future of the grocery industry,” said CGA President and CEO, CGAEF President Ron Fong.

In 2024, CGAEF mounted another significant milestone, awarding $10 million in college scholarships to grocery industry employees and their dependents for nearly 30 years. To date, the Foundation has awarded 6,985 scholarships, totaling more than $11.4 million.

“I am humbled by all of those who have contributed to help the Educational Foundation reach this milestone to award $1 million this academic year, from generous industry veterans to altruistic company partners. It is an incredible testament to the collaboration and generosity this industry is known for,” 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. For more information on the CGAEF scholarship program, click here.

Thank you to our generous donors:

Adam Salgado
Albertsons, LLC
Anheuser-Busch
Anthony Escobar
Baker Tilly
Bertha Luna
Big Saver Foods, Inc.
Brad Thomas
Brady Matoian
Bristol Farms
C&S Wholesale Grocers
Casey Scharteg
Certified Federal Credit Union
Chang So
Chris Dehoff
Dale Stern
Dave & Julie Hirz
Dennis & the late Ruth Darling
Dennis J. Belcastro
Donna Tyndall & Mike Ketcham
Elaina Budge
Eric Pearlman
Gelson’s Markets
George & Debbi Frahm
Heritage Grocers Group/Cardenas Markets
Illuminators Educational Foundation
Instacart
Jeremy Cullifer
Jim & Judy Van Gorkom
Joe & Dolly Falvey
Jon Giannini
Judy & the late Bernard Briskin
Kellanova
Kendra & John Doyel
Kevin Young
Kimberly Clark Corp.
Kristen Sherwood
Mar-Val Food Stores
Matthew Dodson & Erin Johnson
Michel LeClerc
Mike & Renee Stigers
Mike & Sharon Stone
Mike Molinar
Nancy Negrette
Nick Malm
Nick Sass
North State Grocery, Inc.
Nutricion Fundamental, Inc.
OK Produce
Oliver’s Market
PAQ Inc. dba Food 4 Less & Rancho San Miguel Markets
PepsiCo Beverages North America
Pete & Tanya Van Helden
Peter & Jody Larkin
Post Consumer Brands
Ralphs/Food 4 Less
RMS, Inc.
Rob & Leah McDougall
Ron Fong
Ryan & Julie Adams
Safeway Northern California Division
Seaside Market Inc.
Sergio Gonzalez
Smart & Final Stores
Stater Bros. Markets
Steve Brancamp
Subriana Pierce
Super A Foods, Inc.
Super King Markets
Superior Foundation
The Hershey Company
the late Ellyn Gelson
The Save Mart Companies
the Villanueva Family
Treasury Wine Estates
Tyler & Kara Kidd Family
UNFI
Vallarta Supermarkets
Whole Foods Market
Willie & Mary Crocker
WK Kellogg Co.
Young’s Payless Market IGA

Ron Fong Named a Most Admired CEO by Sacramento Business Journal

Posted on January 30, 2024March 27, 2024 by Grace Becker

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President and CEO of California Grocers Association Ron Fong was named a Most Admired CEO for 2024 by Sacramento Business Journal. The award celebrates and recognizes local CEOs who have positively impacted their respective industries and contributed to the growth and success of Sacramento’s greater business community.

Honorees are selected by a peer group of CEOs, comprised of last year’s honorees, external nominations, and nominations by Sacramento Business Journal staff, that identifies influential local CEOs.

“Ron is a champion of the grocery industry in California and respected voice in the capitol community,” said CGA COO and Senior Vice President Doug Scholz. “This recognition from the Sacramento Business Journal is well deserved.”

The award comes as Ron begins his 16th year at the helm of CGA. During his tenure at CGA, Ron is credited with overhauling the government relations program, including the appointment of a new veteran lobbying and political team. In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Ron to serve on his bi-partisan Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery to help plan the state’s economic recovery following the financial calamity resulting from COVID-19. Ron also serves as President to the CGA Educational Foundation, which supports education opportunities for grocery industry workers, and oversees the Foundation’s expanding education, research, career development, and college scholarship programs.

Ron was honored alongside 20 other honorees at the Most Admired CEOs awards ceremony on March 7, 2024 in Sacramento. Honorees include: Kenn Altine, Sacramento SPCA; Derek Chase, OnSight Technology Inc.; Ethan Conrad, Ethan Conrad Properties; Brad DesJardin, DesCor Builders; Dawnté Early, United Way California Capital Region; Linda Farley, Girl Scouts Heart of Central California; Ronald Fong, California Grocers Association; Ginger Elizabeth Hahn, Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates; Lisa Hausmann, Mercy Hospital Folsom, Dignity Health; Preet Kuar, Pacific Staffing; Shobha Mallarapu, Anvaya Solutions Inc.; Heather Mauel, Dutch Bros Coffee Gold Country; Tony Moayed, Tricorp Group; Mymy Nguyen, Saigon Alley Kitchen & Bar; Michael Strech, North State Building Industry Association; Darrell Teat Jr., The Safety Center; Kim Tucker, Impact Foundry; Ali Wing, Oobli Inc.; and Rachel Zillner, Clutch.

View the Sacramento Business Journal press release here.

CGA President Inducted Into Hall of Fame

Posted on April 19, 2018March 4, 2019 by Lynn Melillo

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California Grocers Association President & Chief Executive Officer Ron Fong was one of five grocery executives to be inducted into the Food Industry Sales Association (FISA) Hall of Fame on April 12, 2018, during a gala dinner in Danville, Calif.

Also inducted were Joe Falvey, SuperValu/Market Centre; Kevin Konkel, Raley’s; Steve Junqueiro, Save Mart Companies (retired) and Bob Wilson (posthumously), Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream.

Nearly 300 family, friends and associates attended the event at the prestigious Blackhawk Museum. A family member or work associate introduced each inductee. Introducing CGA President Ron Fong was his son Jaden, a senior at Jesuit High School in Carmichael, Calif.

In accepting the award, Fong recognized the tremendous contributions all four inductees have made to California’s grocery industry and their involvement with CGA. Both Konkel and Falvey served as chair of the CGA Board of Directors. Junqueiro and Wilson, who passed away in 2016, were also previously inducted into the CGA Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement.

Fong is the first non-retailer to be inducted into the FISA Hall of Fame, since its first inductee, Tom Raley, Raley’s, received the award in 1979. Members of the CGA, CGA Educational Foundation and Retail Marketing Service boards were in attendance. “I can’t thank our board members enough for coming out to support this worthy association and the inductees for tonight’s Hall of Fame,” said Fong. “They all made the night special.”

“This is a very prestigious honor, and I’m very humbled to be selected along with Bob Wilson as the first non-retailers to enter this elite group of grocery icons,” said Fong. “I congratulate my fellow inductees. They are all very deserving of this award.”

Proceeds from the dinner fund the FISA’s Scholarship Program, which annually provides scholarships to deserving students from retailer and FISA member families who exhibit leadership in school and community activities and demonstrate superior scholastic achievement.

FISA is a not-for-profit organization of Northern California retail food industry sales managers and brokers. Its mission is to encourage positive working relationships in the grocery community while providing annual scholarships.

Click here for event photos.

Fong Receives National Award

Posted on April 11, 2018March 4, 2019 by Lynn Melillo

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Ronald Fong Honored with NGA Association Leadership Award

April 11, 2018 – Arlington, VA – The National Grocers Association (NGA) today presented Ronald Fong, California Grocers Association (CGA) President and CEO with its Association Leadership Award for his commitment and service to the independent supermarket industry.

“On behalf of the independent supermarket industry, I am pleased to honor and recognize Ron for his talent and dedication for the independent supermarket industry. Ron has been a passionate and enthusiastic industry leader throughout his career in his government relations work and successfully helping CGA to grow its membership,” said Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO, NGA.

Fong assumed the reigns of CGA as President and Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2008. CGA serves a large and diverse membership comprised of 400 retail members, which includes national and regional grocery chains, independent operators, convenience stores and grocery wholesalers, and over 150 manufacturers and suppliers. As CGA’s president and CEO he is responsible the association’s strategic direction and staff which includes departments in government relations, communications and business conferences. He is also President to the CGA Educational Foundation, which funds college scholarships and tuition reimbursement to member employees and their family members.

During his tenure at CGA, Fong worked to defeat California’s Proposition 37, the mandatory GMO labeling for grocery retail, the passage of SB 270, the first statewide plastic bag ban, and most notably, he successfully navigated the merger of the California Independent Grocers Association into CGA while ensuring that a strong voice for the state’s independent operators would be maintained.

Fong joined the association 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, he 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 in 1941, the first grocery market in his home town of Carmichael.

NGA initiated this award over a decade ago to honor and recognize state association executives who work tirelessly in their states on behalf of the independent supermarket industry.

Past recipients of this special recognition include Kathy Kuzava, President of the Georgia Food Industry Association, Tom Woodmansee, former president of the North Dakota Grocers Association, Brandon Scholz, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association; Jan Gee, president and CEO of the Washington Food Industry Association; Kathy Siefken, executive director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association; Jim Olsen, president of the Food Industry Association Executives; Tom Jackson, former president/CEO of the Ohio Grocers Association; Dan Shaul, state director of the Missouri Grocers Association; Jim Rogers, retired president and CEO of the Food Industry Alliance of New York; Pat Hicks, retired executive director Kentucky Grocers Association; and Jerry Fleagle, former president and CEO Iowa Grocery Industry Association.

Photo (l to r): Aaron Moreno, CGA; Kevin Davis, Bristol Farms; Leslie Sarasin, FMI, Ron Fong, CGA; Peter Larkin, NGA; Stacia Levenfeld, Save Mart Supermarkets; Kate Stille, Nugget Markets