Larry Higdon, president of Ira Higdon Grocery Company (an IGA Licensed Distribution Center), was recently honored at the Georgia Food Industry Association (GFIA) convention with the distinguished 2023 Legacy Award. The Legacy Award is bestowed upon a person who has made a lasting impact on the GFIA and Georgia’s grocery industry.
When accepting the award, Larry said he was, “surprised and humbled to have been chosen by his peers to receive this honor.”
Larry is the third generation to run the family wholesale grocery business, which his grandfather started in 1909. The company, headquartered in the small town of Cairo, Georgia, began with five employees, one mule, and a wagon. Larry’s father, Ira Higdon Jr., ran the company until 1972, when Larry became president.
A long-time GFIA board member and former chairman, Larry is certainly deserving of this honor.
“Larry has followed his father’s footsteps in leading industry associations," GFIA President Kathy Kuzava said. "We are lucky to have his legacy of leadership.”
Before Larry joined the family business, he was already showing his leadership potential. He graduated from Emory University and went on to serve as an Air Force fighter pilot through two tours of Vietnam, flying the F-4 Phantom. Captain Lawrence Higdon received the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for Extraordinary Achievement While Participating in an Aerial Flight.
Over the years, Larry has been honored for his professional achievements. In 2016, he was awarded the J. Frank Grimes Award from IGA, which is the highest honor IGA bestows upon an individual. This year, Ira Higdon Grocery Company won IGA’s 2023 Licensed Distribution Center of the Year Award, presented at the IGA Awards of Excellence Ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“We’ve hung in there for a good while. And it goes to show one thing: you keep trying, you’ll win something sometime,” Larry said during his award speech. “We thank everyone…the only reason we’re still around is because my dad had the foresight to join IGA and it’s worked for us and it’s still working.”
Larry has been an active board member and strong supporter of the GFIA for many years. During the GFIA Legacy Award presentation, GFIA members showed their respect. Joel Veatch, owner of Ellaville Piggly Wiggly described Larry as, “honorable and classy."
GFIA Trustee and Higdon customer John West said, “Larry is just like family to me. He has watched me grow up in the grocery business.”
Jim Dunn, Higdon Grocery Company’s sales director, described Larry as “one of the last true Southern gentlemen you will ever meet. He is a true man of his word and the definition of integrity.”
Speaking of southern, his wife Cindy Higdon is the perfect complement to Larry. They represent true Southern hospitality and charm. Cindy also showed their sense of humor, sharing the story of how they recently found his flight suit in the attic, and she convinced him to try it on. Pretty impressive that it still fit, right?
Cindy joked, “Well, I told him, suck in, hold your breath, and for goodness sake, don’t bend over!”
Congratulations to the GFIA 2023 Legacy Award Winner Mr. Larry Higdon!
A version of this story was originally published for the Georgia Food Industry Association and can be found online for GFIA members at gfia.org.
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