64 • November / December 2026• abasto.com • Continuation of page 62 • FOOD INDUSTRY JOHN ROSS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE INDEPENDENT GROCERS ALLIANCE (IGA) What was the biggest challenge, and how did you adapt? It’s tough. A confluence of issues is making things increasingly diffi- cult for consumers, driven by poli- cies coming out of Washington on topics ranging from immigration to the SNAP program and tariffs. Everything is compounding to worsen the situation for consu- mers. Low- and middle-income fa- milies are feeling more pressure, and relief is nowhere in sight. Add to that an unrelenting global envi- ronment, with wars in two regions that drive up the cost of fertilizer and other agricultural inputs, ulti- mately raising the price of the final product on the shelf. Inflation is truly catastrophic, and consumers desperately need more value. We must ensure we have the right price on the shelf and leverage our collective scale to capture major CPG manufacturers’ attention. This isn’t optional: major brands must invest in our shoppers. Our customers deserve the same deals, savings, and pricing as sho- ppers in higher-income suburban areas. I believe this is the time for IGA to leverage its scale and ensure manufacturers don’t overlook us. DANTE GALEAZZI, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE TEXAS INTERNATIONAL PRODUCE ASSOCIATION (TIPA) What was the biggest challenge? It was very similar to last year: adap- tation. Changes are happening too fast and too frequently. Look at just a couple of issues we saw over the summer: high fuel prices going into contract negotiations. How do you approach buyers worried about food inflation and trying to keep retail prices down for consumers, who in turn see their dollars buy less and less food? The Hispanic demographic is one of the highest consumers of fresh produce in the United States. Yet that population, along with every other demographic group, is buying fewer fresh fruits and vegetables. Another major challenge has been food safety concerns. How do we balance it all? Adap- tation has certainly been one of our greatest hurdles. What was the biggest opportu- nity? Our messaging and communica- tion strategy. People are buying less produce because of the immense misinformation this summer su- rrounding cyclosporiasis and sal- monella outbreaks. Statistically, you are more likely to get into a car accident than to contract these ill- nesses. Fresh produce is safe and healthy, and families need to buy more of it because it’s essential for their well-being. What change or event will im- pact the Hispanic community the most? The food safety events that occurred this summer. Fresh fruit and vegeta- ble volumes in stores have dropped between 40% and 60%. Would you like me to draft news- letter subject line options or social media summaries for this article as well?