NGA Honors Kim Eskew with Industry Service Award

Chicago, IL – The National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade association representing the independent grocery industry, presented its prestigious Industry Service Award to Kim Eskew, chairman and CEO of Harps Food Stores, during NGA’s Executive Conference in Chicago, Illinois.

The NGA Industry Service Award recognizes an individual or company whose years of service to the food industry have helped foster better working relationships and greater understanding among retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers. Through his decades-long career at Harps and his active involvement in NGA, Eskew has demonstrated a deep commitment to the independent grocery industry and the relationships that help it thrive.

Eskew began his career at Harps in 1977 as a part-time checker while attending college. Over the years, he advanced through a variety of roles before becoming chairman and CEO in 2018. Under his leadership, Harps has continued to grow while maintaining its commitment to employees, customers, and the communities it serves.

“Kim’s impact on the independent grocery industry extends far beyond his leadership at Harps Food Stores. Throughout his career, Kim has demonstrated a deep commitment to the people and partnerships that make our industry strong,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA president & CEO. “Often with his wife Karen by his side, his engagement with NGA and advocacy for independent grocers reflects his understanding that a thriving grocery industry depends on strong relationships among retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers. We are proud to recognize Kim with the Industry Service Award and grateful for the leadership, perspective, and dedication he brings to our industry.”

The Industry Service Award adds to Eskew’s record of recognition from NGA. In 2024, he received the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for his vision, persistence, and creative leadership at Harps. He and his wife, Karen Eskew, have also received NGA’s Thomas F. Wenning Pinnacle PAC Award for their contributions to government advocacy on behalf of independent grocers.

About NGA

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.