The Korean American Grocers Association of Washington (KAGRO-WA) is a statewide trade association that represents Korean-American grocery, convenience and liquor store owners in Washington State. Its mission is to support immigrant-owned small food retailers through business education, cooperative purchasing and vendor programs, trade shows and community outreach, and to amplify members' interests with regulators and local government.
Advocacy for small business regulatory relief and licensing (including liquor and food permits), policies that reduce operating costs for independent grocers (tax, procurement and procurement preference), workforce and immigrant-safety supports, language access and outreach, local economic development and small-business grant programs, and public health and food-safety compliance assistance
Primarily funded by membership dues and fees, vendor sponsorships and trade-show revenue, cooperative purchasing or rebate programs, occasional grants and donations
Affiliated with the national KAGRO / KAGRO International network and multiple local KAGRO chapters across Washington (Seattle, Everett, South King County, Tacoma, Kitsap, Olympia and others); works in partnership with Korean-American chambers of commerce and local Korean community organizations
Nonprofit trade association / mutual-benefit organization (operates as a 501(c)(6)-style business association)
