This U.S. Census Bureau NAICS-based industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of a general line of groceries and sponsoring (or affiliated with sponsors of) a voluntary organization of food retailers that distributes a general line of groceries to these voluntary groups. These also include any voluntary group grocery wholesalers commonly engaged in joint advertising or other sales promotions under a group name or identification. Wholesale establishments sponsoring such voluntary groups are included here regardless of the portion of their sales made to the retail organization's members.