NGA Foundation Announces Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as Winner of Student Case Study Competition

• February 5, 2026

Las Vegas, NV - The National Grocers Association Foundation has announced Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as the winner of the NGA Foundation Student Case Study Competition, following a competitive and inspiring conclusion to this year's program during The NGA Show.

This year's case study, "Keeping Shelves Relevant and Customers Inspired," challenged students to develop innovative, practical solutions for Nugget Markets, a trendsetting independent grocer with 16 locations across Northern California. Known for its European marketplace setting, Nugget Markets offers an expansive assortment of high-quality perishables, chef-prepared foods, organic and specialty grocery items, and conventional products designed to meet a wide range of customer lifestyles, from organic and vegan to premium proteins and freshly prepared meals.

Students were tasked with addressing how Nugget Markets can continue to keep their shelves engaging and relevant while inspiring customers in an increasingly dynamic grocery environment.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo prevailed against an outstanding group of competing universities, including:

- University of Findlay
- Niagara University
- Kansas State University
- Fresno State University
- Saint Joseph's University
- Auburn University
- University of Kansas
- Arizona State University
- Central Michigan University
- Cornell University
- Michigan State University
- Cal Poly Pomona

"The NGA Foundation Student Case Study Competition showcases the exceptional talent and future leadership within our industry," said Kelly Hanson, Director of Education & Insights. "The solutions presented this year demonstrated a strong grasp of innovation, customer experience, and the evolving role of independent grocers like Nugget Markets. I congratulate Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on their impressive performance and look forward to seeing their impact on our industry in the years to come."

The NGA Foundation student case study competition brings students from across the country to the NGA Show where they present solutions to an issue currently impacting the independent grocery industry. The program allows student teams to interact with an independent grocer and ground their education with real-life experience. Participants move through three rounds of judging from food industry professionals. The winners and their schools receive a cash prize. Each year, an independent retailer is selected as the subject of the competition, providing a budget and relevant details to aid in students' presentation. You can learn more about the competition here.

###

About the National Grocers Association

NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale community grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for about 1.2 percent of the nation's overall economy and is responsible for generating more than $250 billion in sales, 1.1 million jobs, $39 billion in wages and $36 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers located in every congressional district across the country, as well as state grocers' associations, manufacturers and service suppliers.

About The NGA Show

As the premier event for the independent grocery industry, The NGA Show brings together grocery retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and suppliers from across the country for three days of learning, networking, and product discovery in Las Vegas. For 2026, we're excited to host the event at the MGM Grand Conference Center - allowing all attendees to gather under one roof for a more connected and convenient experience. Whether you're launching your first store or leading a multi-generational grocery business, The NGA Show offers the insights, innovations, and relationships that help independent grocers thrive.