Congressman Bill Johnson (Ohio-6) this week visited Columbiana Foods Giant Eagle, which operates three supermarkets in Youngstown, Calcutta and East Liverpool, Ohio, and is a member store of the National Grocers Association (NGA) and the Ohio Grocers Association (OGA). Ron Graff Jr., VP of operations for Columbiana Foods, his wife Jennifer Graff, Bob and Pam Graff, Ron Graff Sr. and store manager Buddy Robinson greeted Johnson at the East Liverpool location, where he spent much of the afternoon working in the deli department, preparing pizza and bagging groceries at the checkout lane.
Outfitted in a store apron, hat and name tag, Johnson was there to experience some of the daily duties and tasks of a store associate, as well as to discuss a number of regulatory issues impacting the supermarket industry. Among the policy issues discussed were the definition of a full-time employee, which is set at 30 hours per week per month under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), tax extenders, data security and regulatory overreach.
“I appreciate Congressman Johnson taking the time to work in our store for the day,” said Ron Graff Jr. “He has been a steadfast supporter of the independent supermarket industry and recognizes the important impact small businesses have on job creation in Ohio and nationwide.”
Added Nate Filler, president and CEO of OGA, “We were thrilled to welcome Congressman Johnson at one of our great family-run operated stores. Partnering with NGA to bring our legislators into our stores is a vitally important opportunity to showcase our industry and to discuss how the laws and regulations they pass directly affect our businesses.”
While at the store, NGA presented Johnson with the Champion of Independent Grocers Award in recognition of his efforts to advance pro-growth policies and workable solutions for independent grocers and wholesalers.
“We were pleased to join OGA and the Graff family to host Congressman Johnson in our member store and present him with the Champion of Independent Grocers Award,” said Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of NGA. “It is of great importance that policymakers from Washington have the opportunity to hear first-hand from independent supermarket operators and their employees about the direct impact legislation and regulations have on the industry, their store operations, and ultimately, the communities they serve.”
