68 • September | October 2026 • abasto.com Through the Hallways of the NSA Show 2026 Among the attendees, María José Ortiz of Ja- ved USA Strategy toured the exhibition floor in search of opportunities for the Hispanic brands she represents. The NSA brings to- gether more than 700 supermarkets in the Northeast, which piqued her interest. For the first time, the brand Salsa Hui- chol participated in the event. Luis Alfon- so García, its representative, explained that the company seeks to expand its pre- sence in New York, New Jersey, and su- rrounding areas. Other companies are already regulars at the show, including Global Trade Bridge Corp., which has attended for 15 years. Its CEO, Lorenzo Piña, highlighted the steady growth in the number of buyers and the arrival of new generations in the industry. NSA Strengthens Ties with INDEX Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the NSA signed a memorandum of unders- tanding with the Institute of Dominicans Abroad (INDEX). The agreement aims to promote scholarships, educational pro- grams, and exchanges for the benefit of the Dominican community in the United States. Ambassador Celinés Toribio, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Dominican Communities Abroad, signed the agree- ment alongside Anthony Peña. The part- nership will connect INDEX’s programs with the network of more than 1,000 inde- pendent supermarkets represented by the NSA on the East Coast, the Mid-Atlantic, and in Florida. Toribio explained that the agreement is part of President Luis Abinader’s policy to stren- gthen ties with the diaspora. Peña, in turn, emphasized that the partnership reflects the NSA’s commitment to the Dominican com- munity, of which he is a second-generation descendant. Both entities are already working on a joint agenda to translate the memoran- dum into concrete programs. A Partnership with a History Founded in 1989, the NSA represents more than 600 independent supermarkets on the East Coast, in the Mid-Atlantic region, and in Florida. Its members generate more than 100,000 jobs and an annual economic impact exceeding one billion dollars, through chains such as Associated Supermarkets, Bravo Su- permarkets, C-Town, Compare Foods, Food- town, Food Universe, Key Food, Met Super- market, and Price Choice Foodmarket. POR LOS PASILLOS 5. Padilla Import Sales and Marketing. 6. Johnathan Rivero, Francis Rodríguez, Jerry Hernández and Kent Tavera. 7.Jorge Guillén, Director of the NSA Show 2026. 8. Rocío Fonseca from Chaparral. 9. José Guzmán, Joselito Pérez and Samuel Collado. 10. Miguel Villareal from Monarca. 11. María José Ortiz, from Javed USA. 12. Eduardo Arango, de Mo’s Heat and Josh Badía, from United Food Brands. • Continuation of page 66 5 6 7 8 12 11 10 9 • FOOD INDUSTRY