December 8, 2020

The Honorable Mitch McConnell The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Majority Leader Speaker of the House United States Senate United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Chuck Schumer The Honorable Kevin McCarthy Minority Leader Minority Leader United States Senate United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Minority Leader McCarthy: On behalf of the National Grocers Association (NGA) and the undersigned member companies, we commend your leadership throughout the past several months in working towards tangible solutions to address the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic crisis. As end-of-year discussions advance in regards to a FY21 spending package or COVID-19 relief legislation, we request that you strongly consider the priorities of the independent industry, whose employees have been tirelessly serving at the frontlines of the pandemic since March to feed our communities across the nation. We write today to request the inclusion of the following policies in an end-of-year spending package or COVID-19 relief legislation: tax relief to reward essential frontline grocery workers; limit liability exposure for essential businesses; and strengthen federal nutrition programs to feed hungry Americans—specifically expanding access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) online purchasing. NGA represents family-owned and privately-held grocery retailers and wholesalers that are located in every state and Congressional district. Together, our members employ nearly a million Americans on a full-time or part-time basis and provide grocery and pharmacy services to millions of Americans every day. First, the industry’s ability to meet customers’ needs would not be possible without the dedicated and talented frontline workers who show up to work every day to move product and keep store shelves stocked. These workers serve even as they face serious challenges, including childcare, transportation interruptions and health concerns. While most grocers have increased pay and provided bonuses to their employees, the federal government should also recognize these individuals’ sacrifices by including legislation in the end-of-year spending package or COVID-19 relief legislation that rewards frontline grocery workers for serving the public. NGA supports the bipartisan AG CHAIN Act (H.R. 6841), introduced by Reps. Thompson (R-PA) and Evans (D-PA), a bill that provides an exclusion from gross income taxes and temporary payroll tax relief to essential food and agriculture workers. Second, independent grocers were proud to be designated as critical infrastructure by the U.S. Department of Security at the beginning of the crisis. NGA members take their responsibility to feed the American public very seriously, but unfortunately many grocers are under threat of frivolous litigation simply for remaining open during the pandemic. NGA requests that Congress protect essential infrastructure business from unnecessary liability exposure, provided these businesses have taken reasonable steps to comply with guidance from the CDC or other health authorities. The SAFE TO WORK Act (S. 4317), introduced by Sen. Cornyn (R-TX), would help ensure grocers are protected if they made their best efforts to comply with federal, state, and local guidance. NGA urges you to include this commonsense language in an end-of-year spending package or COVID-19 legislation. Finally, the limits of federal nutrition programs, such as SNAP, are being tested as large numbers of Americans enroll in nutritional assistance during this difficult economic time. The pandemic has also accelerated consumer demand for online grocery orders, especially amongst vulnerable populations who fear exposure to COVID-19 during a brick and mortar store visit. Independent grocers are working tirelessly to provide customers with online shopping options, but unfortunately only a limited number of grocery retailers are currently authorized to accommodate SNAP orders online because of several barriers preventing small retailers from participating in the SNAP Online Purchasing Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expanded this pilot program at the onset of the pandemic to allow additional retailers and states to offer online shopping and delivery to their customers using SNAP benefits, but the lengthy and expensive process associated with launching continues to prevent many independent grocers from providing this service to their communities in need. NGA requests that Congress include language expanding access to SNAP online purchasing for independent grocers, such as providing technical and financial assistance to small retailers that lack the capacity and resources necessary to get online. The independent grocery community appreciates your ongoing leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we stand ready to continue our work in ensuring that Americans’ most basic needs are met during this unprecedented time. We greatly appreciate your attention to the above priorities as you consider end-of-year and COVID-19 relief legislation. Please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] if there is anything myself, or NGA, can do to be helpful.

Sincerely,

Greg Ferrara President and CEO National Grocers Association

NGA Members:

Adam's IGA Supermarket Lincoln IGA Alabama Grocers Association Little's Village IGA Alabama Holley Farm IGA Livingston Liberty Market

Albright's One Stop Livingston's IGA Allendale IGA Local Grocery Allen's IGA Lockwood IGA Amagansett IGA Super Saver Long Beach IGA Andy's IGA Foodliner Loris IGA Archie's IGA Ludowici IGA Armata's IGA Luzerne IGA Express Arthur IGA Lyons IGA Ashland Shop'n Kart Mackenthuns Fine Foods Ashtabula & Geneva Mackinaw IGA Ashville IGA Madison Food Corp Associated Grocers of New England Main Street Grocery Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. Manchester IGA Athens IGA Manning IGA Augusta IGA Manzanita Fresh Foods IGA Aurora IGA Fresh Market Marion IGA Bailey's IGA Market Basket of Johnstown Baker's IGA Market Center Baltimore IGA Express Market on Broadway Avenue IGA Barbourville IGA Marona's IGA Market Barnwell IGA Marrazzo's Market IGA Beartooth IGA Hill IGA Belloni Foods, Inc Martin IGA Bellport Super Saver IGA Martin's Country Markets Bell's Gourmet Market Martin's IGA Bellwood Hometown Market IGA Mar-Val Food Stores Bend Food-4-Less Maryland Retailers Association Berkot Foods Massachusetts Food Association Berridge IGA Maurer's Market Better Val-U Supermarket IGA McAneny Betty's Country Store McDowell IGA Big Al's Market Express McKay's Market Big E's Supermarket McKim's IGA Big T IGA McLane Co. Bill's IGA McMaken's IGA Bishops Market IGA Meat Depot Blackford Foods Meridian Food Market Blanton's IGA Metamora IGA Blue Marlin IGA Metcalfe's Market Blue Ridge Grocery Metro Discount Foods IGA Blythewood IGA Foodliner Mickey's Food Store Bob and Jeff's IGA Midei IGA Bob's IGA Store Midway IGA Boiceville Market IGA Midway Market IGA Boonville Sav U Mor IGA Miller Foods, Inc. Borowiak's IGA Millstadt IGA Boulineau's Foods Plus IGA Millville IGA Express Brackett's Market IGA Minford IGA Braido Foods-Oberlin IGA Minnesota Grocers Association Brewer IGA Mississippi Retail & Grocers Association Broadus IGA & Pharmacy Mitchell Grocery Corp. Brookshire Grocery Company Molsberry Market IGA Brookville IGA Monnat's Country IGA Express Brushy Mountain IGA Monroe IGA Express Bryn Mar IGA Montauk IGA Bryson City IGA Monticello IGA Buddies Groceries IGA Morgantown IGA Buddy's IGA Mount Vernon Red Apple Buehler's Fresh Foods Mr. B's IGA Buffalo Shoals IGA Mt Plymouth IGA Fresh Market Buntings Cedar IGA Mt. Sterling IGA Burkesville IGA Mt. Vernon IGA Burkholder's Country Market IGA Mullins IGA Busch's Fresh Food Market Mundfordville IGA C. M. Treppendahl and Sons Inc. Nabali Friendly IGA Cairo IGA Nam Dae Mun Farmers Market Cal Mart IGA National Supermarket IGA Calais IGA Neighbors Food Market Caldwell Food Center Neiman's Family Market Calhoun WFO IGA Nemenz IGA California Fresh Market New Baden Market IGA Camano Plaza Market IGA New Carlisle IGA Camden IGA New Haven IGA Carolinas Food Industry Council New Jersey Food Council Capri IGA Foodliner Newton Falls IGA Foodliner Carlie C's IGA NH Grocers Association Carl's Food Center IGA Nicholas Inc Carlyle IGA Noble's IGA Foodliner Carnation Market IGA Noel's IGA Supermarket Carroll's IGA Norm's IGA Cascade Management Services, Inc. North Albany IGA Casel's Marketplace IGA North Main IGA Casey's IGA North State Grocery Inc Cashsaver IGA Northwoods IGA

Cedar Lodge IGA Numero Uno Markets Cedar Village IGA Oakland IGA Centralia Shop'n Kart Oberlin IGA Certco, Inc. Ocean Shores IGA Charley Family Shop 'N Save Okanogan Market IGA Chelten Market IGA Oklahoma Grocers Association Cheraw IGA Oliver's Supermarket IGA City Market IGA Olsens Market Place IGA Clay City IGA Oregon Dairy Clermont IGA Orion Food Center IGA Clifton Market Orono IGA Clinton Foods IGA Osceola Food Mart IGA Express Colerain IGA Owensboro IGA Columbia IGA Oxley IGA Columbiana Foods Inc Ozark Empire Grocers Association Columbus IGA Plus Pacolet IGA Community Foods Market Pageland IGA Foodliner Consun Food Industries Inc. Palace Food Depot Conway IGA Palmer's Supermarket IGA Cook's Oakland Park IGA Pamplico IGA Copper Valley IGA Park View IGA Corley's Grocery Pasquale's IGA Express Cornerstone Pat's Foods Country Foods IGA Patty's IGA Market Cowen IGA Paxton IGA Foodliner Cox Food Group PC Foods IGA Craigsville IGA Peck's Market IGA Cranbury Market IGA Pennington Quality Market IGA Crook's Marketplace Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association Crop's Fresh Market Perch's IGA Crossroads Pete's Market IGA Petrucci's IGA Cubby's Marketplace Pettit's IGA Express Cypress Holdings Inc Pettit's Market D & R Market IGA Philipsburg Hometown Market IGA Darlington IGA Phillips Everyday IGA Dave's Marketplace Picchioni's IGA Davis Food & Drug Davis IGA Dekalb Supermarket IGA Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company, Del Sol Inc. Delhi Liberty Market Pioneer Village Market IGA Diamond Food Market IGA Pocahontas IGA Dillonvale IGA Pond Cove Foodliner Dill's Food City IGA Port Austin IGA DiOrio's Supermarket IGA Potash Markets Dissmore's IGA Pound IGA Dixie Dandy Fresh Market IGA Price Choice Doc's Food Stores Inc Pride Family Market Don's IGA Princeton Food Mart IGA Doscher's IGA Pruett's Food Doscher's IGA Ptacek's IGA Doug's IGA Market Puckett's Food Stores Drennon's IGA Express Quadro Supermarket Dublin IGA Market Quality Foods IGA E.C. Porter IGA R & J Budde, Inc East Center IGA Market R & M IGA East Hampton IGA Rahillys IGA Economizer IGA Railer's IGA Edgar IGA Food Center RaisinRack Edmonton Foods IGA Rangeley IGA Ed's IGA Rccm IGA Market Edwards IGA Red Bud IGA Egolf's IGA Redlands Ranch Market IGA Eikenberry's IGA Foodliner Red's Hometown Market IGA El Paso IGA Reed's Ranch Market IGA El Rancho Market IGA Reese & Ray's IGA Elgin Fresh Market Regi Universal Supermarket IGA Elkton One Stop IGA Express Rehkopf Enterprises, Inc. Elloree IGA Reliable Self Service Market, Inc. Elmer IGA, Inc. REM Market Elsberry IGA Supermarket Remington IGA Emlenton Iga Retail Grocers Association - Missouri/Kansas Enon IGA Riccardo's Market Eureka IGA Foodliner Richburg IGA Eutawville IGA Rick's IGA Everett IGA Foodliner Rideout's IGA Evergreen Market Ried's Food Barn Everyday IGA Ried's Markets, Inc. Fairplay Foods Rising Sun IGA Fresh Market Fairvalue Rite Price Foods IGA Rittman IGA Family Center IGA Rivertown IGA Farmers IGA Foodliner Roanoke IGA

Fausto's Food Palace Rock Cave IGA Ferri Supermarket Rockville IGA Fiesta Foods Rodhe's IGA Marketplace Fircrest Market IGA Roebling Town Market IGA Fischer's IGA Everyday Ron's IGA Fishers Island IGA Supermarket Ross/Hamilton IGA Express Fitchs IGA Ross's Granville Market Fitzgerald's Foods IGA Rowe's IGA Foley's Family Market IGA S & R Quisberg Inc. Food Basket IGA Sabor Tropical Food Cellar & Company Market Salem IGA Food Champ IGA Salyersville IGA Food Giant, Inc. Sandersville IGA Food Ranch IGA Sandy's IGA Food Town IGA Sanibel Packing Company Food Towne of North Chili Santee IGA Food World IGA Santisi Wholesale Foods Foodland IGA Saubel's Markets Foods Etc. IGA Save More Market Place Foothills IGA Market SaveCo Forest Park WFO IGA Sav-Mor Foodliner IGA Express Fort Salonga IGA Saxton IGA Fowler IGA Foodliner Saylors Market Frederick IGA Scaff's IGA Frenchburg IGA Schaefer's IGA Frenchtown Market IGA Schecks IGA Foodliner Fresh & Save Market Schiavoni's IGA Fresh Encounter Inc. Schild's IGA Fresh Foods IGA Schlegel's IGA Fresh Grocer Schulz Market IGA Frobose IGA Market Selma IGA Fruchey Family Market IGA Sendik's Food Market Fuller's Market IGA Shaheen's IGA G & R IGA Shelby IGA G&J Brooks Enterprises, Inc. Shelter Island IGA Gabriel's Scotia Foods IGA Sheridan Select Market Garrett's IGA Supermarket Shoemaker IGA Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods Shop n save Gaston IGA Foodliner Shop 'N Save Express Gateway IGA Shope's IGA Gavin's IGA Shopwise GE Foodland, Inc Shumpert's IGA Geissler's Supermarket Inc. Simon's Supermarket IGA Gels' St. Henry IGA Sistersville IGA General Food Store IGA Sitka Seamart Georges Market at Dresherstown Sky Plaza IGA Georgia Food Industry Association Sliced Bread Market GF Buche Co Somerset IGA Gilbert IGA Southold IGA Glasgow IGA Southwest Food Mart IGA Gnazzo's IGA Sparks & Sons Island Grocery Godwin's IGA SpartanNash Goggin's IGA SPD IGA Gong Ventures Inc. Spencer's Market Grabeel's IGA Spires IGA Supermarket Grandview Market IGA Sponey's IGA Foodliner Granite Falls IGA Sprankle's Neighborhood Market Grant's Supermarket St. Joseph IGA Gray's Foods St. Stephen IGA Great Falls IGA Stake's IGA Great Lakes Fresh Market Star City IGA Greene's IGA Supermarket State Foods Greenport IGA Steve DeYoungs Big Top Markets Greenup IGA Steve's Country Market IGA Griffin's IGA Stodola IGA Grimm's IGA Stoodt's Fresh Market Groceryland Stormans Inc. Grolmus Enterprises Stuaqpak Store Gulfside IGA Plus Su Mercado IGA H & G IGA Express Sullivan IGA Haddens IGA Sumter IGA Plus Hagerstown Food Mart IGA Sunman IGA Hammer & Wikan Sunrise Market IGA Hansen's IGA Inc Super A Happy IGA Super Bear IGA Harbor Beach Market IGA Express Super G IGA Harbor Springs Market IGA Surf City Super Market IGA Harold's IGA Susanville Supermarket IGA , Inc. Swafford & Sons IGA Harris IGA T & J IGA Food Market Harry's Supermarket IGA T. A. Solberg Co., Inc. Hartsville IGA Foodstore Tabor City IGA Hartzell's IGA Tarlton IGA Express Harvest Market Taylor Market IGA Express

Helenwood Foods IGA Techau's Inc. Henderson's IGA Ted's IGA Supermarket Hendrick's & Hays IGA Teeple's IGA Heritage IGA Terry's IGA Hewitt IGA Texas Food & Fuel Association Heyworth IGA Texas Retailers Association (TRA) Hickmans IGA The Butcher & The Farmer Marketplace IGA Highland Park Market of Coventry The Convenience Group, LLC Hillsdale Market IGA The Country Store IGA Hillside IGA Foodliner The Goose Community Grocer Hilltop Acres Farm Market IGA Hogue's IGA The Myers Group LLC Hollidaysburg Hometown Market IGA The Richmond Shops.com IGA Hollister Super The Village Store IGA Holly Hill IGA Thoman's IGA Holt's Food Center IGA Thompson's IGA Holt's IGA Thomson IGA Hometown Foods IGA Thutch Inc. Hometown IGA Timmonsville IGA Honey's IGA Vale Tobey's Grocery Hoopeston IGA Todd's IGA Express Horizon Management, Inc. Toft Dairy Horse Cave IGA Tonto Basin Marketplace, LLC Howsers Supermarket IGA Top's Marketplace IGA Hunter IGA Express Town & Country IGA Market Hurley Supermarket IGA Townsend IGA Hurley's Fresh Market IGA Trading Union IGA Hyden IGA Trenton IGA Foodliner Idaho Retailers Association Tri-Town Foods IGA IGA Tropicana Supermarket J. B. Sullivan Inc Tryon IGA Jack's IGA Turbeville IGA Jackson IGA Tuscola IGA Plus James IGA Country Store Tuten's Bi-Rite IGA Jamestown Market Twain Harte Market Janes Group TWF Holding Jarrett Brothers IGA Tybee Market IGA Jay's IGA Tysens Country Grocery Jeff's IGA Urbanna Market IGA Jenkins IGA URM Stores, Inc. Jerry's IGA Jerry's Supermarket IGA Valley Foods IGA Jim's Foods IGA Valley Fresh Market John Herr's Village Market Inc. Valu Discount Inc DBA ValuMarket Johns IGA Foodliner Van's Thriftway Johnston IGA Vashon Market IGA Jubilee Foods IGA Versailles IGA Jungle Jim's International Market Vicente Foods Karns Food Viking Village Foods Kaune's Neighborhood Market Village IGA Keith's Foods W Lee Flowers & Company Inc Kennie's Market Waddell's IGA Kenny's IGA Wadesboro IGA Food Store Ken's IGA Wagner's IGA Kent's IGA Foodliner Wakefern Food Corp Kershaw IGA Wall's IGA Foodliner Kidron Town and Country Store Walnut Creek Country Market Kingsland IGA Express Walsh's Quality Market IGA Kingstree IGA Walter's IGA Kinsman IGA Warfield Shoprite Kirby Foods IGA Plus Warren Plaza IGA Super Kishman's IGA Washington Food Industry Association KJ's IGA Market Weiland's Market Kobacker's IGA Wells Food Mart IGA Kris Mart West Foods IGA K's IGA West Liberty IGA KT Everyday IGA West Milton IGA K-VA-T Food Stores / Food City West Norriton Farmers Market IGA LaBonne's Salisbury IGA West Salem IGA Ladysmith Fresh Market West Side Marketplace IGA LaFargeville Market West Vigo IGA LaFollette IGA Westport Shop'n Kart LaGrange IGA Westside IGA Lake City IGA Plus Whitaker's Food World IGA Lake Region IGA Willamina Select Market Lakeway IGA Williamsburg IGA Lambs Fresh Market Williston IGA Lame Deer Trading IGA Windham IGA Laniers IGA Windmill Market Lansing IGA Wisconsin Grocers Association LaPerle's IGA Woodbine Groceries Inc. Larkfield IGA Woodburn Mega Foods Latta IGA Woodland Food Mart IGA Lavigne's IGA Worton's Foresthill IGA

Leask's Market Wrangell City Market Lebanon IGA Express Wrangell IGA Lee's Bestway IGA Wray's Marketfresh IGA Leesburg IGA Wright's Market Leitchfield IGA Wurtsboro G-Mart IGA Lemmon IGA Wyatt's Supermarket Leonard's Market Wylie's IGA LeRoy IGA Yoder's Country Markets Leyo's Supermarket Young's Payless IGA Liberty IGA Zanotto's Sunnyvale IGA Express

Zweiers Food Kart

cc: All Members of the U.S. Congress