Hammonds’ comments follow a White House announcement this morning that President Bush has formed a Board of Inquiry to make an assessment of the economic damage of the port lockout and determine whether the two sides are negotiating in good faith. FMI sent a letter to the President last Friday, urging immediate action.
“The impact on the broader economy of the impasse is of tremendous concern,” Hammonds said. He added, “a prolonged closure of the ports will negatively affect every industry sector and every business in America in one way or another as shortages take hold just before the holiday shopping season. Our already-fragile economy cannot absorb what will be an increasingly heavy cost.
“The nation’s food retailers are pleased that the White House is taking action to reopen west coast ports.”
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) conducts programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations on behalf of its nearly 1,250 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI’s U.S. members operate more than 25,000 retail food stores and almost 22,000 pharmacies with a combined annual sales volume of nearly $650 billion. FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent operators. Its international membership includes 126 companies from more than 65 countries. FMI’s nearly 330 associate members include the supplier partners of its retail and wholesale members.
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