ARLINGTON, VA, 2017-Feb-25 — /EPR Retail News/ — Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) Senior Director of Tax, Sustainability and Trade, Andrew Harig, spoke to an audience of agriculturists, food enthusiasts, economists and trade experts today at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 93rd Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. Harig joined speakers Annemarie Kuhns, USDA Economist, and Richard Volpe, Professor at California Polytechnic University, on a panel relevant to the theme of this year’s event, A New Horizon: The Future of Agriculture.
Harig spoke about the revolution in food retail as not being hyperbole, in part because the “new consumer” buying groceries today has a direct impact on the entire supply chain – from production to plate. While addressing the panel topics of food price inflation, and the implications these prices have for consumers, Harig also referenced FMI research suggesting that technological advances have reshaped the food shopping experience.
Harig maintained, “The food retail industry is positioned to change so dramatically that we will need to reimagine how we think about competition and how to be a retailer.”
He noted, “As Farm Bill discussions ramp up, FMI is pleased to engage with members of the supply chain to help shape the future of food.”
Food Marketing Institute proudly advocates on behalf of the food retail industry. FMI’s U.S. members operate nearly 40,000 retail food stores and 25,000 pharmacies, representing a combined annual sales volume of almost $770 billion. Through programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations, FMI offers resources and provides valuable benefits to more than 1,225 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI membership covers the spectrum of diverse venues where food is sold, including single owner grocery stores, large multi-store supermarket chains and mixed retail stores. For more information, visit www.fmi.org and for information regarding the FMI foundation, visit www.fmifoundation.org.
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Source: FMI