Fresh Foods

Illustrating the Evolving Grocery Experience

We used to debate whether our industry was going through an evolution or a revolution. Depending on your viewpoint regarding the pace of change and the catalysts for it, there has been one constant: Our industry continues to invest heavily in ...

How Did That Seafood Get On Your Plate?

To start off National Seafood Month, FMI’s Seafood Strategy Leadership Council held our Fall meeting in Seattle. The weekend started early on a sunny Sunday morning (not the norm in Seattle) as Trident Seafoods, our host, took us on a tour of their ...

Protein Made Personal: Discoveries for a New AMC Brand

When it comes to protein, meat continues to lead perishable areas in grocery in terms of store sales by fresh department, and for well over two decades, we’ve partnered with the North American Meat Institute on a high-impact forum – The Annual Meat ...

Where Do Shoppers Look for Plant-based Foods and Beverages In-Store?

A few years ago, several meat alternative companies made headlines with one small change—placing their products alongside traditional meat counterparts in the meat section. A debate ensued that continues today—where should plant-based foods and ...

Going the Extra Mile for Fresh Foods Success

Holding a conference at a high-altitude location can help everyone see the big picture. FMI’s recent FreshForward conference in Denver, the Mile High City, sparked high-level insights from speakers to foster industry success. I recently wrote that ...

Senior Retail Leaders Champion Fresh Foods Progress

Succeeding with fresh foods strategies is a lot easier if you have senior leaders championing efforts. That is one of my key takeaways from FMI’s recently completed FreshForward conference in Denver. Top leaders from three major retail organizations ...

Keeping Fresh in Focus While Navigating an Obstacle Course

As part of this year’s Speaks survey, FMI took a deep dive into what is happening in the fresh perimeter departments, and there was so much to report, that we created a separate deep dive into The State of Fresh Foods. Here are a few of the key ...

Who is The Animal-Alternative Product Shopper?

In the inaugural Power of Plant-based Foods and Beverages 2022 report, which is FMI’s first-ever comprehensive review of the plant-based topic broadly, we looked at naturally plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains and ...

Engaging with Shoppers on Animal Welfare

Shoppers say they seek out product claims that showcase ethical practices, and this activity has been consistent over the last two years, even during the pandemic. Having transparent standards and best practices in place allows for more meaningful ...

New Infographic: July 4th Barbecue Breakdown

To help support our members’ communications with customers this holiday weekend regarding food price inflation, FMI has created a new July 4th Barbeque Breakdown infographic that highlights common ingredients people consume during their holiday ...

What Does It Mean to Eat More “Plant-Based” Foods and Beverages?

The connection between eating more plants and better health is undeniable. But what exactly does it mean to eat more “plant-based?...

An Energized Fresh Industry Gets Back In Person

The level of excitement felt like it was off the charts. FMI recently marked an important milestone in the return to normalcy by hosting our in-person Midwinter Executive Conference in Florida, preceded by our Fresh Foods Leadership Council ...

A Walk Through the Supermarket: Store Operations on Fresh Foods

I’m new to FMI and learning a lot about the ins and outs of the food industry. In preparation for our Store Operations Series: Fresh Focal Point, I took a virtual walk through the supermarkets with FMI’s in-house expert, Rick Stein, vice president ...

How Does FMI Know the Current State of the Food Industry?

The answer is from YOU. We know because the industry tells us each year when we ask, as we have been doing every year for more than 70 years. The first ever The Food Retailing Industry Speaks (Speaks) report appeared in 1949. Seventy-three years ...

All Hail Locally Grown: The King of Product Attributions

The farmer from down the street skillfully cultivating a lettuce patch, community field workers carefully inspecting the ripeness of strawberries and clean water from a local reservoir hydrating a nearby apple orchard – these are just some of the ...