to view the 30th Anniversary Magazine - National Grocers Association

“The Level Playing Field” Hitting AHome Run With NGACAROLE BITTER2006-2007 NGA ChairwomanAS AN INDEPENDENT GROCER who has been deeply involved in leadershippositions at NGA since its inception (actually before its founding when my father, HaroldFriedman, and I were active members of NARGUS), I have seen amazing changes. Yet,what has never wavered is the association’s commitment to a “level playing field” forindependent grocers and the wholesalers who support them. An outstanding example isNGA’s leadership in preserving the right for members to continue to use EDLP when Walmart attemptedto trademark the term. Another NGA success was our action in helping to preserve the Robinson-PatmanAct when it was threatened by the Antitrust Modernization Commission.Another important issue is Leadership Development.The Cornell Executive LeadershipDevelopment Program, initiated under my chairmanship,has led to a second program at USC,which my son (4th generation grocer) had theopportunity to attend this summer. NGA needsto continue to help us develop leadership in thegrocery industry. And, I’m pleased that a newNGA Economic Impact Study is being formalizedthat will help prove the worth and impact ofthe independent grocer and supporting wholesalersas a whole, as well as on the U.S. economy.In all of this, I cite the important value ofNGA in its work behind the scenes that allowsus to do what we do best – serving our communitieswith wholesome, convenient foodin a marketplace that allows our customersincredible variety, great service and competitiveprices.“Proud to Be Associated With NGA”MARK BATENICNGA Ex-Offico Member and CEO of IGA, Inc.I FIRST BECAME ASSOCIATED WITH NGA IN 1988 while working withFleming, which at the time supplied many independent retailers across the country.From the onset, I was impressed with NGA’s focus on championing those independentgrocery retailers, and providing them with the information they needed to maketheir family-owned businesses strong. Little did I know at the time that my careerpath would lead me to IGA and its long-standing history of independent entrepreneurialism,nor did I know that NGA would become such an important touchstone for our progresswith IGA and its brand.IGA has been linked with NGA for more than10 years now, and for good reason. IGA, likeNGA, was established to help the independentsucceed in the face of ever-growing chain competition.IGA, like NGA, is built on the idea of interdependence,or more simply, that independentretailers are stronger when they join together toshare their experiences and learn from each other.Today, we at IGA work closely with NGA,sharing our knowledge in ways that help bothparties benefit the independent retailers weserve. And because many of IGA’s progressiveindependent retailers are also members of NGA,we have a firsthand glimpse of the impact NGA’stimely information, resources and networkingopportunities have on its retail members.We at IGA are proud to be associatedwith NGA, and we look forward to workingtogether in the future to protect and preservethe entrepreneurial spirit and the independentfamily-owned businesses it creates.8 | NATIONAL GROCERS ASSOCIATION WWW.NATIONALGROCERS.ORG