Washington, D.C. – The Nationwide Grocers Affiliation (NGA) at the moment introduced U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) with its prestigious Spirit of America Award in the course of the 2026 Fly-In for Truthful Competitors in Washington, D.C.
Established in 1982, the Spirit of America Award acknowledges people who’ve demonstrated excellent management in neighborhood service and authorities relations on behalf of the meals distribution business. Over the previous 4 a long time, our nation’s leaders have been chosen to obtain this award, together with an esteemed group equivalent to Presidents George H. W. Bush and Gerald Ford, Vice President Dan Quayle, Normal Colin Powell, and former Speaker Tom Foley.
Senator Marshall is being acknowledged for his steadfast assist of impartial grocers in Kansas and throughout the nation, notably his management in advancing insurance policies that promote competitors and equity within the market.
“Senator Marshall has been a tireless champion for impartial grocers and the communities they serve,” mentioned Greg Ferrara, NGA President & CEO. “His management on the Credit score Card Competitors Act is crucial to leveling the taking part in area for impartial grocers who function on razor-thin margins. We’re proud to acknowledge his continued dedication to making sure a good and aggressive market.”
The Credit score Card Competitors Act, a bipartisan measure launched within the U.S. Senate and Home, seeks to extend competitors within the bank card processing market by requiring massive monetary establishments to allow routing transactions throughout no less than two unaffiliated networks. The laws goals to scale back prices for impartial grocers and in the end decrease costs for customers.
“Unbiased grocers are important to conserving Kansas communities alive and rising. I’m honored to obtain the Spirit of America Award from NGA,” mentioned Senator Marshall. “I’ll hold preventing to rein in extreme swipe charges, increase competitors, and ensure small companies get a good shake. After we do this, we’re not simply serving to grocers — we’re decreasing costs for Kansas households on the checkout line.”
Native grocers echoed their appreciation for the Senator’s management.
“Senator Marshall understands firsthand the challenges impartial grocers face as a result of he’s taken the time to go to our shops and pay attention,” mentioned Jenny Osner, proprietor of Employed Man’s Grocery & Grill. “From internet hosting him in Conway Springs to assembly with him in Washington, D.C. throughout NGA Fly-Ins, I’ve seen his dedication up shut. He genuinely cares about small companies and rural communities, and his assist has made an actual distinction for grocers like me.”
The award was introduced throughout NGA’s annual Fly-In for Truthful Competitors, the place impartial grocers, wholesalers, and state affiliation leaders collect in Washington to advocate for insurance policies that promote a degree taking part in area within the grocery business. Key priorities embody enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act, passage of the Credit score Card Competitors Act, and guaranteeing a powerful Farm Invoice that helps diet packages like SNAP.
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