Cap 1 LLC, a shareholder of Ingles Markets, Incorporated, has notified the company of its intent to nominate Rory Held as an opposition director candidate for election at the 2026 Annual Meeting. The board opposes the nomination and unanimously recommends shareholders vote FOR the board's slate of two Class A director nominees on the WHITE proxy card. This is a management-filed preliminary proxy statement (PREC14A) for the annual meeting scheduled for April 30, 2026.