Associated Grocers

Associated Grocers (AG) of Florida is a full line supplier to independent retailers and is a major factor in the southeastern US food distribution system. In August 2006, Associated Grocers moved their headquarters from Miami Dade County to Broward County’s Fort Lauderdale Uptown District (approximately 37 miles away). As one of the fastest growing companies in the food industry, and with over 400 in its employ, Associated Grocers went above and beyond to facilitate many of their employees’ ability to commute to the new location, taking into consideration the difference in distance.  

SFCS and the SFRTA (Tri-Rail) assisted AG by hosting several commuter forums and presentations over the course of two weeks, to educate employees on efficient and cost effective commuting options.  Employees were surveyed by SFCS to help them determine their best commute options.  As a result, 57 employees found that commuting by Tri-Rail was the most viable option. 

That high demand prompted Associated Grocers to subsidize in full the first two months of their employees commuting cost on Tri-Rail, and later purchased and fully subsidized a fifteen passenger van which is being used as a dedicated shuttle for employees to get to and from the Tri-Rail station. AG is currently working on implementing the tax benefit program, so eligible employees who commute by transit can take advantage of the tax savings in addition to the 25% discount that employees who commute by Tri-rail currently receive.  Associated Grocers is enrolled in Tri-Rail’s Employer Discount Program.