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 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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