Members of the 2026 New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) Leadership Development Class recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for a comprehensive two-day immersive experience focused on federal advocacy and national food industry leadership.
The early May trip introduced the state’s rising food industry professionals to the inner workings of Capitol Hill and connected them directly with federal partners from the National Grocers Association (NGA).
The trip highlighted the critical connection between everyday food industry operations and federal decision-making, emphasizing how strategic communication from industry leaders shapes national policy.
-
Federal Partner Insights: The class met with Greg Ferrara, President & CEO of NGA, who shared his personal leadership journey and outlined the essential role national trade associations play in protecting and advancing the industry’s interests.
-
Historical Context: In addition to policy briefings, the future leaders toured the U.S. Capitol to learn about the history of the Congressional branch, followed by an evening tour of the iconic monuments and memorials at the National Mall.
“In today’s environment, national trade associations working on the ground in Washington, D.C., are more essential than ever, providing critical support that helps the food industry foster innovation, ensure food safety, and drive economic growth — not only in New Jersey, but across the country,” said NJFC President & CEO Linda Doherty. “As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary, this trip served as a reminder to our future leaders that the food industry has long been, and will continue to be, a vital part of our nation and its vision.”
The excursion to the nation’s capital represents the latest chapter in a robust curriculum designed to prepare the next generation of food industry executives.
Prior to their Washington trip, the class traveled to Trenton in March for a foundational crash course in New Jersey state government and the localized political process. More recently, the group participated in an NJFC Board of Directors meeting, where they huddled with NJFC Chairman Jason Read, Director of Store Operations for Wawa, to discuss executive responsibilities and active advocacy engagement.
