WASHINGTON, DC — September 19, 2000 — Greater consumer awareness of safe food-handling practices received a giant boost today when contributions to the FMI Foundation’s Safeguarding Our Last Link campaign surpassed its initial goal of $10 million. Affiliated with Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation seeking to ensure quality and efficiency in the food system through charitable, educational and scientific initiatives.

Delhaize America and Kellogg's at $250,000, A&P at $150,000, and Georgia-Pacific at $100,000 joined nearly 100 companies contributing to the initiative at various levels.

“These gifts continue to support the industry’s ongoing effort to educate those for whom we advocate most ¯ the consumer,” said Tim Hammonds, FMI president and CEO. “These companies affirm our commitment to charting the course for food safety education and bring significant momentum to the campaign.”

Safeguarding Our Last Link is the FMI Foundation’s multi-phased, national fundraising campaign for funding to educate consumers on basic safe food-handling practices. The campaign seeks levels of support that may be paid over a three-to-five-year period. Food retailers and wholesalers, food producers, processors and manufacturers are some of the contributors.

In 1999, the FMI Foundation announced an inaugural grant to the Partnership for Food Safety Education, a public-private partnership of industry, government and consumer groups dedicated to reducing the incidence of foodborne illness. The grant funds FightBAC!, a food safety education program being used at schools nationwide.

For more information about the FMI Foundation, please call (202) 452-8444 or click below.