Congratulations to the 2025-2026 CGA Educational Foundation College Scholarship recipients. This year, 414 scholarships totaling $933,210 were awarded to deserving students attending college this fall.
In honor of the CGAEF’s past and future Hall of Achievement Inductees, the CGA Educational Foundation established the Legends of the Industry Scholarship as part of the Scholarship Endowment. This scholarship is an annual $10,000 scholarship awarded to one applicant who is pursuing a career in the grocery and/or grocery-related manufacturing industries.
Ryan Montez
Legends of the Industry College Scholarship
Boise State University; Business
Employed by Smart & Final in Commerce
Read Ryan’s story in the California Grocer magazine here.
2025-26 Scholarship Recipients
Beginning with a single $2,000 scholarship, the Foundation has grown exponentially over the last 30 years to bestow nearly 7,000 worthy college students with awards totaling in excess of $11.4 million—ensuring that California’s grocery employees and their dependents have the resources necessary to start or complete their higher education. To view this year’s scholarship recipients, click here.