Apr 15, 2015

Grocers Gather in Nation’s Capital to Advocate on Supermarket Industry Issues

 

APRIL 15, 2015 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 200 supermarket retailers, wholesalers, and food industry state association executives from across the nation convened in Washington, DC today for the annual "Day in Washington" Supermarket Industry fly-in.

 

From Wednesday, April 15 – Thursday, April 16, members from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the National Grocers Association (NGA), and the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE) will participate in an estimated 230 meetings with Members of Congress and key legislative staff to advocate on fundamental policy issues, such as health care reform; tax policy; chain restaurant menu labeling; data security; swipe fees; and labor policy.

 

“From tax reform to data security to menu labeling, there are a host of important public policy issues facing the supermarket industry, making it critical that we speak with one collective voice to inform and educate Members of Congress and their staff about our industry,” said Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of NGA. “Day in Washington provides our members with the opportunity to engage directly with their lawmakers and to illustrate the vast impact their businesses have on the national and their local economies.”

 

“On the day when we’re all mindful of our taxes, grocers are on Capitol Hill to remind lawmakers that supermarkets operate – on average – on a one-percent profit margin. We rely upon investment in our communities to preserve the viability of our businesses and our ability to provide consumers with safe, nutritious, affordable food,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO for FMI. “Therefore, the food retail industry has much to gain from broad-based, balanced and comprehensive tax reform that lowers effective rates and simplifies the tax code.”

 

Among Day in Washington issue priorities, FMI and NGA will focus on tax reform, inclusive of tax extenders, the estate tax, marketplace fairness and Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) accounting method.

 

In addition to congressional meetings, this year’s fly-in will feature House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) at the industry luncheon, held on Wednesday, April 15.

 

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The Food Industry Association Executives [FIAE] is a national professional association representing local, state and regional food association executives since 1927, who in turn represent over 95 percent of the grocery retail industry. FIAE's mission is to provide a forum for professional growth of the members' employees and to serve as a vehicle for the interchange of ideas and advancement of the food industry agenda.

 

 

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Food Marketing Institute proudly advocates on behalf of the food retail industry. FMI’s U.S. members operate nearly 40,000 retail food stores and 25,000 pharmacies, representing a combined annual sales volume of almost $770 billion. Through programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations, FMI offers resources and provides valuable benefits to more than 1,225 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI membership covers the spectrum of diverse venues where food is sold, including single owner grocery stores, large multi-store supermarket chains and mixed retail stores. For more information, visit www.fmi.org and for information regarding the FMI foundation, visit www.fmifoundation.org. - See more at: http://www.fmi.org/about-us#sthash.bdmCXL1i.dpuf

 

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The National Grocers Association (NGA) is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for close to one percent of the nation's overall economy and is responsible for generating $131 billion in sales, 944,000 jobs, $30 billion in wages, and $27 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers.  For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org.