NGA Makes Strategic Move to D.C.

The National Grocers Association has moved its office to the political epicenter of Washington, D.C. Formally located in Arlington, Va., NGA will increase its access to Capitol Hill and the White House with its move to 601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

The move follows steps the association made earlier this year to take its advocacy efforts “to the next level,” President and CEO Greg Ferrara said at the time. The association hired Steptoe & Johnson LLP, a Washington, D.C.-based law and lobbying firm, to help boost the association’s advocacy capabilities, and it promoted Molly Pfaffenroth to senior director of government relations.

NGA is currently working closely with the Biden administration and Congress to advocate for independent grocers on a variety of issues as they continue serving communities across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. It recently spoke against raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour out of concern that it would be harmful to small businesses.

“For nearly 40 years, NGA has been an effective advocate for our member companies before government and the industry. Our move from the Virginia suburbs onto Pennsylvania Avenue in the heart of the nation’s capital will position NGA to have a greater influence in Washington, D.C., while providing a venue to host lawmakers, policy experts and, most importantly, our members,” the association said in a release. “This move allows our organization to operate more efficiently, while being strategically located between the U.S. Capitol, White House and key federal agencies. We look forward to welcoming our members and industry partners to our new offices as soon as we are able."