California Grocers Association

What California Grocers Association does

The California Grocers Association (CGA) is a nonprofit, statewide trade association founded in 1898 and headquartered in Sacramento, California, that serves as the unified advocacy voice for the state's grocery industry. CGA represents more than 400 member companies, including over 300 retailers operating 6,000+ brick-and-mortar stores, approximately 150 grocery suppliers, and wholesale distributors such as UNFI and C&S Wholesale Grocers. Major retailer members include Albertsons Companies (Ralphs, Food 4 Less, Safeway), Save Mart, WinCo Foods, Stater Bros., Gelson's, Bristol Farms, Cardenas Markets, Vallarta Supermarkets, and Northgate Gonzalez Markets. CGA's core service lines are state and local government advocacy, regulatory compliance support (covering Prop 65, SB 54, SB 343, SB 1013, food safety, labor laws), industry publications (California Grocer magazine, Checkout newsletter, Annual Buyers' Guide), signature events (Gather California convention with 800+ executives, Independent Operators Symposium, Grocers Day at the Capitol, Hall of Achievement Dinner), member-exclusive insurance programs (medical via United Ag/CoreMark, dental via Delta Dental, vision via VSP), training (Workplace Harassment Prevention, Store Leader Training Seminars), and scholarship administration through the CGA Educational Foundation (reaching $1M annually and $11.4M+ lifetime since 1998).

CGA generates revenue primarily through tiered annual membership dues (retailer dues scale from $445 up to a $103,000 maximum by California sales volume; supplier dues range $850–$6,750 plus optional Supplier Executive Council upgrades; wholesaler dues scale up to ~$21K base), supplemented by event sponsorships (including the Chair's Circle at a $60,000 minimum), advertising sales in CGA publications reaching 80%+ of California grocery retail decision makers, commissions on member insurance programs, and contributions to the CGA Educational Foundation and GROPAC PAC. The organization maintains operational partnerships with regulatory bodies (CalRecycle, CalOES, FEMA), retail service providers (RMS subsidiary offering carTrac, ProFx, CartWorks, RPG), insurance administrators (United Ag, CoreMark, Delta Dental, VSP), and emergency-response organizations (American Red Cross, LA Regional Food Bank). As a mutual-benefit nonprofit governed by a 53-member Board of Directors drawn from member companies, CGA is not owned by any parent company, VC, or PE group and reinvests all revenue into member services, advocacy, and education.

Name

California Grocers Association

Legal name

California Grocers Association

Website

https://cagrocers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The California Grocers Association is a 125-year-old nonprofit trade association representing 400+ member companies and 6,000+ grocery stores across California, delivering advocacy, regulatory compliance, networking events, publications, training, and insurance benefits to retailers, suppliers, and wholesalers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: CGA generates revenue through annual membership dues from retailers, suppliers, and wholesalers. Dues are structured based on company size and California sales volume, ranging from $445 for small retailers up to $103,000 maximum for large operations. Supplier dues range from $850 to $6,750 based on California grocery sales volume.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The California Grocers Association is a nonprofit statewide trade association that serves as the unified voice of California's food industry. It provides membership-based advocacy, government relations, regulatory compliance resources, networking events, publications, training programs, and group insurance benefits to grocery retailers, suppliers, and wholesalers operating in California.

Product overview

The California Grocers Association is a nonprofit statewide trade association offering a comprehensive suite of membership services, advocacy programs, and member benefits. The organization's core offerings include California Grocer Magazine and the Checkout E-Newsletter for industry communications; the Annual Buyers' Guide for business development; and the Compliance Toolkit covering regulatory areas like Proposition 65 and Food Safety Modernization Act. Educational services span Webinars and Seminars, Workplace Harassment Prevention Training, Store Leader Training Seminars, and the CGA Educational Foundation which provides scholarships and tuition reimbursement. The association hosts signature events including Gather California (annual convention), Independent Operators Symposium, Grocers Day at the Capitol, Hall of Achievement Dinner, and the Chair's Circle executive network. Member insurance benefits include medical (through United Ag and CoreMark), dental (Delta Dental PPO and HMO), and vision (VSP) coverage. Retail support services through RMS include carTrac (cart recovery), ProFx (maintenance), CartWorks (manufacturing), and RPG (retail media). The Enterprise Risk Protection committee supports loss prevention and safety professionals, while the Emergency Operations program provides disaster response coordination. Political advocacy is delivered through GROPAC (political action committee), State and Local Advocacy, Regulatory Advocacy, and the Local Ordinance Database.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CGA Membership Annual membership program for grocery retailers, suppliers, and wholesalers with tiered dues based on California sales volume, providing access to advocacy, networking, publications, compliance resources, and member benefits.
• California Grocer Magazine

Quantifiable outcome

• $105 billion in economic value, $11 billion in tax revenue, and 820,000 jobs created by California's grocery industry represented by CGA
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RMS (Retail Marketing Services)coreOthersRMS is CGA's for-profit subsidiary partnership that provides essential operational services to grocers including carTrac (shopping cart asset recovery), ProFx (retail maintenance), CartWorks (cart manufacturing), and RPG (retail media and digital promotions). RMS helps California grocers lower cart costs, reduce loss, streamline maintenance, and unlock new revenue through retail media.
• CalRecyclecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGA maintains an active relationship with CalRecycle, California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, to help members navigate bottle bill (CRV) changes under SB 1013. The association meets frequently with CalRecycle Director Rachel Wagoner to develop optimal recycling frameworks.
• California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGA works with CalOES as part of California's Standardized Emergency Management System, integrated into the Business Operations Center of the State Operations Center during disasters. The 2008 MOU enables real-time situation reports to members during emergencies.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGA has established relationships with FEMA to provide members real-time information during natural or man-made disasters and assist with disaster relief coordination.
• American Red CrossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGA partners with the American Red Cross to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide support to affected communities during California emergencies.
• Los Angeles Regional Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGA coordinates with the LA Regional Food Bank for food and water donations during Southern California wildfire relief efforts.
• United AgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Ag administers CGA's member-only health benefits program in partnership with CoreMark Insurance Services, providing Blue Shield PPO network access, wellness clinics, and dental/vision insurance products exclusively for CGA members.
• CoreMark Insurance ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-administrator of CGA's member-only health benefits program, providing competitive group health, dental, and vision insurance products designed for grocery operators.
• Delta DentalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelta Dental provides premier PPO and HMO dental plans exclusively to CGA members through the DeltaCare USA HMO and Delta Dental PPO programs.
• Vision Service Plan (VSP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSP administers vision insurance products exclusively for CGA members and their employees, offering comprehensive eye care coverage.
• Grocers Day at the Capitol Participating LegislatorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCGA's annual Grocers Day at the Capitol connects grocery industry executives with state legislators for face-to-face advocacy meetings, positioning the industry on key legislative priorities.
• Downey BrandminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDowney Brand law firm hosted the 2026 CGA Legal Counsel Summit, providing legal education on SB 54, Prop 65, self-checkout regulations, and other industry legal matters.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Grocers Association (NGA): National trade association representing the independent grocery industry in the United States. Most direct functional peer to CGA's mission of advocating for grocery retailers and wholesalers, scaled to national rather than state scope.
• Food Industry Association (FMI): National trade association for food retailers and wholesalers, formerly the Food Marketing Institute. Comparable in advocacy, education, and event programming, operating across all U.S. states and overlapping membership bases with CGA.

Broad incumbents

• Consumer Brands Association: National trade association representing CPG manufacturers, formerly the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Comparable as a major grocery supply-chain advocacy organization and a relevant counterpart for CGA's 150 supplier members.
• National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS): National trade association for the convenience and fuel retailing industry. Operates an analogous member-funded model of advocacy, education, and events for a related but broader retail segment than CGA's grocery focus.

Regional players

• Oregon Grocers Association: State-level trade association representing Oregon's grocery retail and supply industry. Same functional role as CGA but confined to Oregon — a high-comparable regional peer given overlapping Pacific Northwest regulatory dynamics.
• Washington Food Industry Association: Washington state's food industry trade association. State-scope peer to CGA with similar advocacy, education, and member-service offerings for grocery retailers and suppliers.
• New Jersey Food Council: State trade association representing New Jersey's food retail industry. Functions as CGA's regional counterpart on the East Coast, engaging in government relations, events, and member benefits for grocery operators.
• Food Industry Association of New York: State-level trade association for food retailers in New York. Comparable peer in scope and function to CGA, focused on grocery-specific advocacy and member services for another high-regulation state market.

Emerging players

• Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA): Global cooperative platform supporting independent grocers through branding, distribution, and operational services. Overlaps with CGA's independent operator segment but operates a commercial wholesale-retail model rather than advocacy.

Others

• American Bakers Association: National trade association for the baking industry. Operates a similar advocacy + education + events model for a different but adjacent food manufacturing segment, useful as a structural comparator for nonprofit association economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/calgrocers
• Facebookfacebook.com/CAGrocers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-grocers-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Grocers Association