4 • July | August 2026 • abasto.com • Continuation of page 2 Costs Putting Pressure on the Sector As the organization grows, so do the challenges. During his conversation with Abasto, Peña expres- sed concern about poli- cies promoted by the New York City administration to create government-run supermarkets. “Many of our members have served these neigh- borhoods for years without asking for anything in re- turn. That’s why it’s demo- ralizing to be portrayed as if we were responsible for the problem,” he commented. For Peña, the real cha- llenge lies not in the wi- llingness of business owners but in the rising operating costs they face. “The main problem is costs, which are becoming unsustainable,” he explai- ned. Unlike residential te- nants, business owners have few protections when they must renegotiate lease agreements. This situation can result in sig- nificant rent increases that ultimately affect the entire operation. According to Peña, the NSA has presented concre- te proposals to help reduce costs and improve prices for consumers. Still, he asserts that the authorities have not yet shown suffi- cient willingness to listen to the sector. Safety: An Ongoing Struggle Safety is also a top priority on the association’s agenda. Although the state has toughened penalties against those who attack essential workers, Peña believes there is still a gap between the law and its effective enforcement. “Our job is to ensure that these laws are enforced,” he stated. In response to this situa- tion, the NSA has stren- gthened its collaboration with the New York Police Department. One of the most promi- sing projects is the pilot program called Adopt a Store, initially implemen- ted in the Bronx. The NSA Show: Much More Than a Trade Show All the expertise the NSA has accumulated is reflected each year at its trade show. The 2026 NSA Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Se- caucus. The day before, on July 15, attendees will participate in the opening ceremony, which will fea- ture Peter Unanue, co-pre- sident of Goya Foods, as the keynote speaker. In addition, industry lea- ders will discuss the trends transforming the food and beverage industry. One of the most anticipa- ted features will be the B2B platform, designed to help international brands enter the U.S. market through direct meetings with dis- tributors and retailers. “Companies will be able to speak directly with tho- se who know the market and, in many cases, even finalize purchase orders during the event,” explai- ned Peña. The trade show will also recognize Atún Real de Ecuador as International Company of the Year and highlight strategic part- nerships such as the one developed with Porky in the protein category. Furthermore, the NSA will pay tribute to William Rodríguez, former presi- dent of the organization and one of the original dri- ving forces behind the trade show, by naming the award the William Rodríguez Com- pany of the Year Award. “We’re very proud of our show because it represents everything we stand for as an organization,” Peña concluded. SPECIAL INSERT NSA SHOW 2026