Gateway to Fresh: National Grocers Association Fresh Summit Heads to St. Louis this June; David Cutler Comments

WASHINGTON, DC - Fresh departments have become the front line for independent grocers looking to grow, differentiate, and strengthen their connection to shoppers. Several years ago, the National Grocers Association (NGA) launched its Fresh Summit to highlight fresh as a core business strategy, bringing together retailers, suppliers, and industry experts to explore how the perimeter can drive performance across the entire store. This year, the NGA Fresh Summit heads to St. Louis, Missouri, June 15–17.

“At this one-of-a-kind event, independent operators share practical insights on merchandising, labor, sourcing, and execution,” David Cutler, Vice President of Media Relations and Public Affairs, stated. “Rather than treating fresh as a collection of isolated categories, conversations about fresh foods are framed as an integrated system. Produce, meat, seafood, deli, and bakery are discussed alongside staffing models, store design, and operational efficiency. The takeaways are simple: Fresh works best when it is intentional, well-managed, and closely aligned with customer expectations.”

At last year’s Fresh Summit in Milwaukee, the conversation expanded to include innovation and adaptability. Independent grocers are navigating rising costs, shifting consumer habits, and growing competition, while still being expected to deliver quality and value. Sessions focused on how data-driven decision making, smarter technology adoption, and creative merchandising can help level the playing field. Store tours and peer exchanges reinforced that while no two independents operate exactly alike, the most successful retailers share a willingness to learn, experiment, and refine.

These themes set the stage for the 2026 NGA Fresh Summit, which will build on the momentum of previous years. The upcoming Summit will offer a deeper dive into the strategies and tools independent grocers need to win in fresh, with programming designed to deliver real-world takeaways rather than theory.

“As shoppers continue to prioritize freshness, transparency, and locally sourced products, independent grocers remain uniquely positioned to meet those demands. Their agility, community ties, and firsthand understanding of customer preferences give them an edge that cannot be easily replicated,” David continued. “The 2026 NGA Fresh Summit will serve as a space to sharpen that advantage, bringing the industry together to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and chart a course for the future. For independent grocers, fresh is no longer just a department. It is a defining element of who they are and how they compete.”

Industry partners looking to become more involved in this unique event can contact Anita Nunez Cepollaro at [email protected].

For more event updates as the show approaches, keep coming back to AndNowUKnow.