Building Relationships with Your Legislators

Apr 30, 2019

One of the most important missions of the National Grocers Association (NGA) is to ensure the federal policies enacted help independent grocers continue to grow, employ workers in their communities, and better serve their shoppers. Our goal is to help members spend more time running their business and less time attempting to comply with an ever-growing list of onerous regulations.

There are a number of ways to get involved in the political process—reach out to your member of Congress, and invite them to tour your store to help them better understand the important role grocers play in their communities, or contact your representative’s office to let them know where you stand on critical issues.

The purpose of the store tour is to connect with your member of Congress on what issues are most important to you and your company. Often times, members of Congress want to hear about how many people you employ, the customers you serve in your local community, what types of special events or community service projects you’re involved in, and how laws and regulations impact your bottom line. It’s important to remember that most members are not experts on how issues may impact the grocery industry, which is why they look to experienced professionals in the field like you to help them have a better understanding of the significance of their votes in DC. 

NGA will be able to assist with all of the logistics for the visit, including contacting the member’s office and working with you to find a date that works for all sides. Contact Channing Pejic, NGA Coordinator, Political & Legislative Affairs at cpejic@nationalgrocers.org.

While there are a number of grassroots advocacy tactics, it is all part of a process of making sure that the voice of the independent grocer—your voice—gets heard where and when it most counts.

IGA retailers: Click here to learn about one IGA retailer's experience with a congressional store tour last summer, and stay tuned to The IGA Minute to learn more about the policies affecting you and how IGA and NGA worked on your behalf at Day in Washington, held on Capitol Hill this past Wednesday.

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