Government Relations

Our Voice of The Food Industry blog offers commentary from FMI subject matter experts on timely and important topics to the food industry.

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  • FED up with Credit and Debit Card Swipe Fees

    Jan 10, 2017
    Americans pay the highest card swipe fees in the world every time they use a credit or debit card. The credit and debit card companies collect nearly $79 billion each year in these fees. What’s more, consumers may not even realize they are paying ...

  • 2016 Was More than Just an Election Year

    Dec 20, 2016
    It is safe to say that most people will remember 2016 for tweet policy, hacked emails and then its surprising election results at the federal level, but we wanted to fill you in on what we did on your behalf this ...

  • Not the Group We Wish to be Gifting this Season

    Dec 15, 2016
    Each of us would like to be able to predict what we can expect during the first 100 days of a Trump administration, but in the midst of this speculation, there is one issue food retailers must ensure doesn’t get lost in the media frenzy. When the ...

  • Visa and MasterCard Delay EMV Liability: A Win for Retail

    Dec 6, 2016
    No matter how big or small, when merchants get a victory, we run with it. That is what last week’s announcement from Visa and MasterCard is—a win for retail. The two biggest card brands announced they are delaying EMV implementation from the ...

  • The Timely Diplomacy of Thanksgiving

    Nov 17, 2016
    The timing could not be more fortuitous. After a particularly contentious and vicious political season that exposed the depth and severity of every divide and difference across the American civic landscape, the nation is hungry – in body and spirit -...

  • It Is Time to Re-Register Your FDA Inspected Facilities: Why It’s Important and What You Need to Do

    Nov 17, 2016
    Under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires biennial registration of all domestic and foreign food facilities engaged in manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding food for consumption in the ...

  • Voters have spoken:The Impact of State Ballot Initiatives on the Grocery Industry

    Nov 16, 2016
    The 2016 Election is over, and while the world is still discussing and speculating what the results of the 2016 U.S. presidential election will mean, state ballot outcomes can give us an idea for possible trends looking ...

  • Two Deservedly at the Top

    Nov 14, 2016
    Female leaders from many of FMI's member companies have received the recognition of Top Women in Grocery this year. I salute all of them. I’m especially honored to celebrate two of my exceptional colleagues who were honored this week at the Top ...

  • Looking Ahead: Building a Relationship with Your Elected Officials

    Nov 10, 2016
    With the 2016 election results and commercials now (mostly) behind us, it is the perfect time to develop and build relationships with the winners of this election in order to get them to understand your perspective on votes they will take in the ...

  • Over 150 Initiatives on State Ballots this November – What Grocers Need to Know

    Nov 4, 2016
    On November 8, in addition to choosing the next President, voters in 35 states will consider a variety of ballot initiatives, referendums, or other measures. Over 150 total initiatives qualified to appear on state ballots this ...

  • FMI Helps Guide You Through the 2016 Elections

    Nov 3, 2016
    Believe it or not, but the seemingly decade-long episode of the 2016 elections is coming to an end next week as the nation heads to the ballot box on November 8. Early voting is already under way in several states. While a significant portion of the ...

  • Get Out the Vote

    Nov 1, 2016
    FMI wants to help make it easy for you to be educated about priority election issues, learn more about your candidates, and be able to check the locations of your voting precinct. FMI’s Voting Resources page can help: www.fmi.org/VotingResources....

  • Let’s Get Local

    Oct 25, 2016
    In 14 days, millions of Americans will head to the polls in the most historic election to date. Even if you are still unsure about the top of the ticket, there are many important races happening at the local and state levels. Forty-two states are ...

  • Will a new Congress and Administration bring a new policy agenda?

    Oct 7, 2016
    According to U.S Grocery Shopper Trends 2016, a majority of shoppers visit their local supermarket at least once every week, but how many shoppers stop to think about how policy decisions or elections have an impact on their weekly trips to the ...

  • EMV: The Cost of Confusion

    Sep 30, 2016
    The one-year anniversary of the EMV shift is just around the corner. FMI has heard countless stories about the delay in certification and the increase in cost of business operations, even for retailers who have the chip-card readers installed in ...