Sustainability

Taking AIM at Hydrofluorocarbons

Supermarket refrigeration systems are on the cusp of major change following passage of the the AIM (American Innovation & Manufacturing) Act. The AIM act directs EPA to spearhead phasedown of HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) production and use by 85% by ...

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 ...

What’s Next for Sustainable Packaging

When you think of innovation, what comes to mind? It’s not often we think about the innovation that goes into creating a more efficient design for the packaging that protects the goods and products we buy and use every ...

The Need for Grocery to Focus on Sustainable Packaging

Customers are passionate about sustainability and expect industry to lead the way in developing more efficient, responsible, and circular packaging. To assist companies in developing their own strategy for sustainable packaging, FMI developed the ...

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 ...

Eyeing Greater Urgency on Key Issues

As we near what we hope is the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, FMI and Oliver Wyman have reconvened and published Volume 7 of our annual journal to provide a future-focused roadmap for the food industry that harnesses the wisdom and insights learned ...

Reassessing Problematic and Unnecessary Materials in the Supply Chain

Over the last year, stirrers that are non-reusable, non-recyclable and non-compostable were deemed as one of 11 items in a list of “problematic and unnecessary materials” by the U.S. Plastics Pact. FMI and more than 100 other organizations on the U....

What is Operational Sustainability Anyway?

FMI recently hosted a discussion featuring the Ratio Institute, a nonprofit focused on achieving sustainable food retailing through expert collaboration, industry resources and practical tools. The discuss was designed to provide members of our ...

Food Scraps - The Ultimate (Re)Gifts?

Last year, I put a kitchen compost bin on my wish list for the holidays. I was surprised and elated to unwrap it on Christmas morning and have used it every day since. Returning inedible food scraps back to Mother Earth throughout the year has been ...

Equal Opportunity Through Supplier Diversity

E pluribus unum, meaning “Out of many, one.” This iconic Latin motto speaks to the heart of the American ethos. Put another way, one could interpret the phrase as “We’re all in this together,” which is not only an apt description of democracy, but ...

Seizing the ROI of Social Responsibility

Give and you shall receive. This age-old adage is not only fitting for this charitable time of year, but it also provides concise guidance for food retailers looking to maximize customer loyalty and satisfaction. Now more than ever, consumers want ...

Celebrating Sustainability and Trucking the Smart Way

FMI is a proud affiliate of the EPA SmartWay program, a collaboration with freight carriers, shippers and logistics providers to accelerate the adoption of advanced fuel-saving technologies and strategies. We wanted to share highlights from a recent ...

Can We Get to Zero Food Waste?

Last night at dinner, a family friend asked if it was true that around one-third of the food in this country is wasted. It was sobering to say yes. Estimates vary, but approximately 25-40% of food grown, processed and transported in the U.S. will ...

An Update on Our Work Towards Sustainable Packaging in the Food Supply Chain

The U.S. Plastics Pact Roadmap, released today, was created by this collaborative, solutions-driven consortium to enable participants to collectively reach ambitious goals by 2025 that couldn’t otherwise be met on their ...

Solar Energy Has Bright Outlook in Food Retail

As more companies have looked to reduce their electricity consumption and carbon footprints in recent years, exploring renewable energy has become a logical next step. Leading chains such as Kroger, Publix, Aldi, H-E-B, Giant Eagle, Stop & Shop, ...