Fresh Foods

Fresh food departments, including meat, seafood, produce, foodservice, bakery and more, are important differentiators for food retailers and product suppliers.

FMI is committed to the growth and success of fresh food retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, and industry partners by providing research, education, policy guidance and networking opportunities that support the interests of member companies throughout the global fresh produce supply chain.

Fresh Food Policy Statements and Industry Guidance

The following policy statements relate to fresh foods and are approved by FMI's Board of Directors to provide clear direction for the food industry.

FMI Fresh Foods Webinars: Trends, Research and Best Practices

Our on-demand webinars support grocery retailers and suppliers in making informed decisions with the latest trends, insights and business strategies. 

FMI Fresh Food Resources, Consumer Trends and Industry Reports

Annually, FMI produces consumer reports on grocery shopper habits by fresh food departments, as well as industry insight reports specific to fresh foods. We also provide several white papers that offer business strategy best practices for fresh food departments. 

Illustration of a baker in-store with green and blue accents.

The Power of In-Store Bakery 2026

The Power of In-Store Bakery 2026 is the fifth annual report, exploring shopper perceptions, attitudes and behaviors regarding in-store bakery in grocery stores.
2026 Holidays

U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2026: Holidays

This report takes a closer look at grocery shoppers' plans for the 2026 holiday season, exploring attitudes and behaviors regarding food prices, loyalty programs, general shopping strategies and grocery shopper sentiment.
Hispanic Grocery Shopper 2026 Report Cover

The Hispanic Grocery Shopper 2026

This 2026 report looks at Hispanic shoppers’ influence on spending, store choice, culture, wellness, digital planning and private brands.
Power of Foodservice at Retail Cover 2026

The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2026

The report explores shopper perceptions, attitudes and behaviors regarding deli-prepared foods in grocery stores.
The State of Fresh Foods 2026 cover

The State of Fresh Foods 2026

Fresh food is central to achieving the food industry’s goals of excelling as a shopping destination, attracting customers and building competitive advantage.
Illustrations of people with different beverages.

Power of Beverage 2026

This report provides insights into how changing consumer expectations are transforming beverage purchasing and creating opportunities for growth across the food industry.
The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2026 Cover

The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2026

In its 77th year, The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2026 examines how the food industry is intensifying its support for consumers, employees and businesses.
U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2026 The Evolving Physical Store

U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2026: The Evolving Physical Store

Shoppers value the in‑store grocery experience more than ever and now expect stores to deliver many of the conveniences they’ve grown accustomed to online.
Power of Seafood report cover

The Power of Seafood 2026

The eighth annual Power of Seafood explores shoppers’ attitudes and behaviors regarding the seafood category, which attracts affluent shoppers with above-average basket values.
Power of Meat 2026 Cover

The Power of Meat 2026

The Power of Meat provides an annual update of shopper habits regarding meat and poultry pre-trip, in-store and at home.
Power of Produce 2026 Cover

Power of Produce 2026

The Power of Produce identifies the biggest trends in consumer purchasing and consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Grocery Shopper Snapshot January 2026 cover

Grocery Shopper Snapshot: January 2026

This brief report provides an update on shoppers' sentiment, evolving grocery habits and the role of technology in grocery shopping.
FreshForward logo with an illustration of a woman using a computer and writing notes.

2025 FreshForward Action Guide

This 2025 Action Guide spotlights key takeaways from the FreshForward Conference recommended by attendees for each of the presentation tracks — Labor Challenges, Health & Well-being, and Capturing Meal Occasions.
Man holding a grocery basket looks through an illustrated foodservice department at a grocery store.

Framework for Retail Foodservice Success

FMI and Kearney, the global professional services organization, have pooled efforts to describe the robust rewards available to retailers who can successfully tap into the foodservice at retail market.
PoHWB 2024 Revised Cover

The Power of Health and Well-Being in the Food Industry 2024

FMI's sixth edition of The Power of Health and Well-being in the Food Industry relays new angles on consumer health and well-being perspectives, national nutrition-related priorities and compelling opportunities for the food industry.
People sitting at a table

Leadership

FMI's fresh food communities bring together thought leaders from across our industry to identify, discuss and share perspectives on current issues and trends.

Fresh Foods Leadership Council 

The Fresh Foods Leadership Council includes senior fresh food executives who work to identify areas of collaboration across all fresh foods operations and sectors.

Fresh Foods Leadership Council

Seafood Strategy Leadership Council

The Seafood Strategy Leadership Council includes seafood executives who work to identify areas of collaboration across all seafood operations.

Seafood Strategy Leadership Council

Foodservice at Retail Leadership Council

The Foodservice at Retail Council includes senior executives in retail foodservice from across the value chain, working to strengthen retail foodservice departments. 

Foodservice at Retail Leadership Council

FAQs About FMI's Fresh Food Practice Group

The FMI Fresh Foods practice covers key perishable retail and wholesale categories, including meat, seafood, produce, in-store bakery, and retail foodservice. FMI supports these sectors through industry research, education, policy guidance, leadership councils, and networking events like FreshForward.

 

FMI publishes several annual and periodic consumer and industry reports tracking fresh food trends, including The State of Fresh Foods, The Power of Meat, Power of Produce, The Power of Seafood, The Power of In-Store Bakery, and The Power of Foodservice at Retail.

 

Food industry leaders and senior executives in fresh food merchandising specializing in produce, meat, seafood, in-store bakery and retail foodservice will benefit from being involved in FMI’s fresh food practice group.