National Grocers Association

What National Grocers Association does

National Grocers Association (NGA) is a private nonprofit national trade association founded in 1982 that represents independent grocers, wholesalers, and related suppliers in the United States. Its operating proposition combines federal and state advocacy, regulatory and operational education, compliance resources, peer networks, leadership development, and industry events.

Service delivery is distributed through a member website and portal, The NGA Show, virtual programming, Share Groups comprising 12-15 non-competing members, the NGA Traceability Center and Toolkit, the NGA SNAP Waiver Tracker, the Grocer Solutions Center, executive leadership programs, the NGA Leadership Institute, and Women Grocers of America. NGA does not offer a unified software product; its digital components consist mainly of compliance templates, online trackers, educational resources, an event platform, and the BR Data-powered Independent Insights resource.

NGA generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues for retailer, wholesaler, and associate tiers, supplemented by event and leadership-program registration fees and one-time toolkit sales. The traceability toolkit is $899 for nonmembers and included for members; listed programs cost $3,750 and $2,595-$6,000 depending on program or membership category. Acquisition occurs through direct outreach, industry events, and referrals, while advocacy outcomes, industry research, education, and networking support member retention and recruitment.

Name

National Grocers Association

Legal name

National Grocers Association

Website

https://nationalgrocers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Grocers Association is a nonprofit trade association serving independent grocers, wholesalers, and suppliers across the United States through advocacy, compliance education, peer networks, leadership programs, resources, and industry events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Retail-Grocery Stores (5411), Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Supermarkets & Neighborhood Grocers (CRAHAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Independent Natural & Organic Grocers (CRAHAEAB), Compliance Technology, GRC Platforms & Controls Automation Advisory (BPAHAFAO)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Grocery industry advocacy
• Independent retailer support
• FDA compliance resources
• Leadership development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NGA generates revenue through annual membership dues from independent grocers (retailers), wholesalers, and associate members (manufacturers, suppliers, service providers). Membership provides access to resources, advocacy, education, and industry events.
2. Traceability Toolkit Sales: Non-members can purchase the NGA Traceability Toolkit for $899 for FDA compliance resources. This is a one-time purchase for access to compliance materials.
3. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from registration fees for signature events including The NGA Show, Executive Leadership Development Program ($3,750 per person), NGA Leadership Institute ($2,595-$6,000 depending on membership type), and WGA Symposium.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The National Grocers Association is a national trade association that delivers membership-based advocacy, education, compliance resources, and events for independent grocery retailers, wholesalers, and supplier companies across the United States. Its substantive deliverables include The NGA Show annual conference, the Executive Leadership Development Program (Cornell), the NGA Leadership Institute (Mount Vernon), the NGA Traceability Center for FDA FSMA 204 compliance, Share Groups peer networks, and the Women Grocers of America foundation initiative.

Product overview

The National Grocers Association is a trade association representing independent grocers, wholesalers, and suppliers nationwide. NGA provides advocacy, education, events, and member resources rather than a unified software product. Its portfolio includes The NGA Show (premier annual industry conference), professional development programs (Executive Leadership Development Program at Cornell University, NGA Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon), the NGA Traceability Center for FDA compliance, the Women Grocers of America foundation program, and various member resources including the SNAP Waiver Tracker, Share Groups peer networks, and Grocer Solutions Center. NGA also partners with ReposiTrak for traceability compliance solutions and Ecolab for food safety resources. The organization does not offer a technology platform or software-as-a-service product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NGA Foundation: The charitable arm of NGA that cultivates talent, ignites innovation, and preserves independence across generations
• Women Grocers of America (WGA)
• The NGA Show
• Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP)
• NGA Leadership Institute
• NGA Traceability Center

Products and services

• The NGA Show The NGA Show is NGA's flagship annual conference for the independent grocery industry, bringing together retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and suppliers for three days of learning, networking, and product discovery. It attracts nearly 4,000 grocery professionals and features 350+ exhibitors representing diverse product categories.
• Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) ELDP is a four-day intensive executive leadership program delivered at Cornell University's Ithaca, NY campus, designed for grocery retailers and wholesalers developing leaders for 21st-century business challenges. Includes interactive instruction, leadership assessments, networking with industry peers, lodging, meals, and class materials at a cost of $3,750 per person. Sponsored by PepsiCo with scholarships available.
• NGA Leadership Institute NGA Leadership Institute is a transformational leadership program delivered at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, designed for grocery leaders ready to elevate their organizational impact. Blends executive leadership development with principles from America's first president. Pricing is $2,595 for Retailer/Wholesaler members and $6,000 for Associate Members, including accommodations, trainings, materials, facilitated sessions, a private tour, wreath-laying ceremony, evening reception, and most meals.
• NGA Traceability Center The NGA Traceability Center is a comprehensive resource providing independent grocers with tools, guides, and best practices for FDA food traceability compliance under FSMA 204. It includes step-by-step guides, customizable templates (sortable spreadsheet templates, food traceability list templates, distributor responsibility letter templates, DSD responsibility letter templates, lot code explanation templates, pick sheet templates, batch sheet templates, mock traceability event exercises, and mass balance sheet templates). Free for NGA members; the NGA Traceability Toolkit is sold for $899 to non-members.
• ReposiTrak Traceability Resource Center ReposiTrak Traceability Resource Center is a partnership resource providing NGA members with access to ReposiTrak's food traceability and regulatory compliance solutions. ReposiTrak operates the world's largest food traceability and regulatory compliance network with over 110,000 facility connections in more than 100 countries.
• Women Grocers of America (WGA) Women Grocers of America is an initiative of the NGA Foundation focused on empowering, connecting, and developing women leaders at every level of the independent grocery industry. It offers networking events (WGA Symposium, WGA Sync Up), professional development, the annual WGA Woman of the Year Award (established 1996), and scholarships. WGA has 500+ national members and 35+ corporate sponsors.
• NGA Foundation Student Programs NGA Foundation Student Programs include scholarships, student case study competitions, and the Food Industry University Coalition, designed to attract new talent to the independent grocery industry. Sponsors include Fairlife (Student Case Study Competition) and UNFI.
• NGA SNAP Waiver Tracker The NGA SNAP Waiver Tracker is an online advocacy tool helping members stay informed about state-level SNAP policy changes, monitoring which states are testing new limits on foods purchasable with SNAP benefits.
• Share Groups Share Groups are peer-to-peer networks of 12–15 non-competing NGA member companies that give independent grocery professionals a space to meet, problem-solve, and exchange ideas, building trusted relationships for advice, feedback, and mutual support.
• NGA Grocer Solutions Center The Grocer Solutions Center is a resource center offering personalized support for business innovation, including nutrition incentives (GusNIP), SNAP EBT modernization, and funds to increase food access.
• NGA Executive Conference The NGA Executive Conference is NGA's flagship annual event for independent channel leadership, featuring in-depth forecasts on the grocery industry, the economy, and the consumer; sessions on technology and policy forces; and structured networking with wholesalers, suppliers, and CPG partners.
• NGA Fly-In for Fair Competition The NGA Fly-In for Fair Competition is an annual advocacy event held in Washington D.C. for member meetings with congressional representatives on issues affecting independent grocers.
• NGA Food Safety Program with Ecolab The NGA Food Safety Program, delivered through NGA's official partnership with Ecolab, provides members with food safety resources including articles, webinars, courses, and the Ecolab Science Certified program.
• Independent Insights (Powered by BR Data) Independent Insights is a data analytics partnership resource with BR Data that helps NGA members understand industry trends and performance metrics.
• Healthy Benefit Card Toolkit (Fincretive) The Healthy Benefit Card Toolkit is a partnership resource with Fincretive that helps NGA members implement customer benefit programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Independent grocers represent nearly 40% of U.S. food retail sector sales
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• ReposiTrakcoreTechnology or Integration · 29 January 2026ReposiTrak is NGA's official strategic partner for traceability compliance management for independent grocers. The expanded partnership delivers education, training, and tools to help grocers free up working capital, improve cash flow, and lower compliance risk without adding labor or disrupting store operations. ReposiTrak operates the world's largest food traceability and regulatory compliance network with over 110,000 facility connections in more than 100 countries.
• FairlifeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 December 2025Fairlife sponsors the NGAF Student Case Study Competition, challenging students to develop strategies for integrating direct-to-consumer trends into in-store experiences at Nugget Markets.
• EcolabcoreTechnology or IntegrationEcolab is NGA's official food safety partner, providing resources to help teams stay safe and compliant including articles, webinars, courses, and the Ecolab Science Certified program. Ecolab headquarters in Minneapolis hosts the WGA Symposium.
• UNFI (United Natural Foods, Inc.)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerUNFI is a sponsor of the NGA Traceability Center and the NGA Foundation's Student Case Study Competition. UNFI also serves as a Checkout Champion sponsor and hosts events for NGA members.
• Cornell UniversitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCornell University designs and facilitates the Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) at their Ithaca, NY campus. The program includes four days of interactive, intensive instruction with faculty from respected academic and grocery industry leaders.
• PepsiComajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPepsiCo sponsors the Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) and offers the PepsiCo Leadership Scholarship for high-potential individuals committed to inclusive leadership.
• George Washington Leadership InstitutecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe George Washington Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon partners with NGA to deliver the NGA Leadership Institute program. The program offers immersive leadership development experiences at George Washington's estate, including private tours, wreath-laying ceremonies, and experiential learning sessions.
• DysonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDyson is listed as a facilitator partner for the Executive Leadership Development Program, providing business simulations and analytical tools for leadership training.
• Coca-Cola CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoca-Cola Company is a Checkout Champion sponsor of NGA, supporting the organization's initiatives and events.
• Kraft HeinzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKraft Heinz is a Checkout Champion sponsor of NGA, supporting the organization's initiatives and events.
• PepsiCo (Checkout Champion)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPepsiCo is a Checkout Champion sponsor of NGA, supporting the organization's initiatives and events.
• Wakefern Food CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWakefern is a Checkout Champion sponsor of NGA, supporting the organization's initiatives and events.
• Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAWG is a Checkout Champion sponsor of NGA, supporting the organization's initiatives and events.
• KellanovaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKellanova co-presents the Creative Choice Awards with Unilever, celebrating innovative marketing and merchandising programs in the grocery industry at The NGA Show.
• UnileverminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnilever co-presents the Creative Choice Awards with Kellanova, celebrating innovative marketing and merchandising programs in the grocery industry at The NGA Show.
• Shelby PublishingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShelby Publishing sponsors the WGA Woman of the Year Award presented annually at The NGA Show.
• ECRSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerECRS is a WGA corporate sponsor supporting women in the independent grocery industry.
• InstacartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInstacart is a WGA corporate sponsor supporting women in the independent grocery industry.
• Citrus AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCitrus America is a WGA corporate sponsor supporting women in the independent grocery industry.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA): RILA represents large retail chains on policy, operations, and technology. While its membership skews larger than NGA's, it competes with NGA in federal advocacy on supply chain, labor, and antitrust issues affecting grocery.
• National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS): NACS represents the convenience store industry, including food retail elements. It is a broad incumbent in adjacent food retail advocacy that competes with NGA for member attention on regulatory issues like SNAP and FDA compliance.
• Consumer Brands Association: Consumer Brands Association (formerly GMA) represents CPG manufacturers and is a peer in the food/consumer products policy ecosystem. While not a direct competitor, it intersects with NGA on supply chain and SNAP policy advocacy.
• National Retail Federation (NRF): NRF is the largest U.S. retail trade association, advocating for retailers across all categories including grocery. It is a broad incumbent that competes with NGA on federal advocacy and policy influence, though NGA specializes in independent grocers.

Others

• Specialty Food Association (SFA): SFA is a trade association for specialty food makers and retailers, including producers selling into independent grocers. It is a peer on the supplier side of NGA's ecosystem and overlaps with members' go-to-market strategies.
• Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA): IGA is a global supermarket chain and distribution network supporting independent grocers through licensing, marketing, and supply services. It is a related incumbent because its members overlap with NGA's independent grocer constituency, though IGA operates a commercial (not advocacy) model.
• United Fresh Produce Association: United Fresh is a trade association serving the fresh produce supply chain, with significant overlap among NGA's wholesaler and retailer members. It is a peer because both advocate on produce-related regulatory and supply chain issues.

Direct peers

• Food Industry Association (FMI): FMI is the largest food industry trade association in the U.S., representing food retailers, wholesalers, and suppliers. It is a direct peer to NGA in advocacy and education, though FMI has a broader (chain + independent) membership scope.
• Food Marketing Institute Foundation: FMI Foundation is the charitable and educational arm of FMI, similar to NGA Foundation. It is a direct peer in developing workforce, leadership, and educational programs for the food retail industry.

Regional players

• National Supermarket Association (NSA): NSA is a New York-based trade association representing independent supermarket operators in the Northeast. It is a regional peer that serves a similar membership profile to NGA but with a concentrated geographic footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nationalgrocers
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@nationalgrocers
• Facebookfacebook.com/NationalGrocersAssn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-grocers-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/nationalgrocers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

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 National Grocers Association