California Grocers Association

We're thrilled to announce Michel LeClerc, North State Grocery, Inc., has been elected Chair of the CGA Board of Directors for 2024-2025. As Chair, Michel will lead the Board’s strategy regarding CGA’s numerous legislative, educational, and industry-related programs. Congratulations to our new Chair and thank you Immediate Past Chair Lynn Melillo for your service! https://lnkd.in/eGuekUiQ

Exciting update from 2023 CGA Emerging Brands Pitch Contest winner, CHUZA!

Proud to be a part of raising awareness around the great work that the CGA Educational Foundation does for our industry. The scholarships that it provides for employees and their families is remarkable! 10 years ago I was given the opportunity to help cover educational costs and I attribute so much of my growth to my education and the open mindedness it creates for growth through mentorship as well. While we are in the final hours of Giving Tuesday, please find a way to donate, and if not today, look for ways to help this great organization that gives back to so many. https://lnkd.in/gM7-xAAB

This #GivingTuesday, give $10 to help the CGA Educational Foundation reach the next $10 million in college scholarships! 📚🎓🍎   Together, let’s deepen our commitment to industry education and help the next generation of grocery leaders achieve their dreams. Click here to pledge your support and read 10 inspiring stories to celebrate $10 million in college scholarships: https://lnkd.in/gRSeUsCe   #10StoriesFor10Million 

Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday! Help us reach the next $10 million in college scholarships by donating $10 to the CGA Educational Foundation. 📚🎓   Your support helps mold the next generation of grocery leaders like the scholarship recipients highlighted below. Visit https://lnkd.in/gW-NBgmb to donate. #10storiesfor10million   🎓 After putting his education on hold early in his grocery career, Ryan Adams earned his bachelor’s degree in 2014 with help from CGAEF scholarships. A combination of education, learning on the job, and mentoring has helped him get to where he is today. After 25 years with Vons and Albertsons, Ryan currently serves as President and CEO of Gelson's Markets.   🎓 Elizabeth Donate started working at Super A Foods, Inc. as a box helper while pursuing her accounting degree. The skills she developed over the course of her education helped her advance to Assistant Manager and Bookkeeper. Going forward, Elizabeth would like to pursue an additional certification to advance to more senior financial roles in the industry. GivingTuesday  

Grocers on the move 🛒 Suzy Monford joins Heritage Grocers Group as Chairman and CEO.

Celebrate #GivingTuesday with CGA Educational Foundation 📖🍎 #10storiesfor10million   In this season of giving, mark your calendar for next Tuesday, Dec. 3 to help CGAEF reach the next $10 million in college scholarships. A donation to CGAEF on #GivingTuesday will help support the next generation of grocery leaders like the scholarship recipients highlighted below.   🎓Lyova Hayrapetyan’s pathway to the grocery industry began working in retail and distribution in Armenia. After moving to the U.S. in 2010, he joined Super King Markets as courtesy clerk. He quickly realized a formal education would help him advance and went on to earn his degree in Professional Accounting from CSU Northridge in 2018. Fourteen years later, he has grown with Super King Markets and now serves as Director of Analytics.   🎓When Alison Petitt received her first CGAEF scholarship, she was working as a cashier at Cardiff Seaside Market. With encouragement from her department manager and store leaders, Alison went back to school pursue her business degree and deepen her understanding of the grocery business. Now Front-End Supervisor, Alison looks forward to earning her degree and furthering her career at Cardiff.   GivingTuesday   Learn more here: https://www.cgaef.org/

CGA Chair Lynn Melillo and Foundation Director Brianne Page traveled to Cal Poly Agribusiness Department for an annual class visit to share insights into the grocery business and discuss key policy priorities shaping the industry. 📚

Help CGA Educational Foundation reach the next $10 million 📚🍎   We’re celebrating 10 industry stories for $10 million in college scholarships. Mark your calendars for GivingTuesday on December 3 to help CGAEF reach the next scholarship milestone to support future grocery leaders.   🎓 When she began her grocery career, Carol Adams enjoyed the flexibility the industry offered while raising a family. 35 years later, Carol’s work ethic and commitment to higher education have helped her advance to National Replenishment Buyer at Albertsons Vons Pavilions. As of February 2024, Carol holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from California Coast University.   🎓 For the first 15 years of his grocery career, Issac Granados learned from on-the-job experience. Since gaining exposure to the academic side of the industry and earning his AA degree, Isaac has gained confidence in his role as Store Manager at Stater Bros. Markets and developed as a leader.   #10storiesfor10million #GivingTuesday   Learn more here: https://www.cgaef.org/

Grocers gathered in LA to wrap up 2024 and plan for the year ahead at the Capitol. 👉 Former director of CalRecyle Rachel Machi Wagoner joined us for a deep dive on SB 54. 👉 Mod Caucus Chair Asm. Blanca Rubio California State Assembly, Asm. Heath Flora, and Sen. Catherine Blakespear joined us for a panel discussion to talk California politics. Thank you to our guest speakers and the CGA Government Relations Committee!