Looking Up, Looking Back and Looking Ahead

The month of January derives its name from the Roman god Janus, the deity whose distinguishing characteristic was having two faces, one looking forward, the other facing backward.  So, even in its etymological roots, January bears the qualities of reflection and anticipation.  Held January 11, 2014 in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Midwinter FMI Board meeting possessed the Janus-like qualities of review of days past and preparation for things to come. 

In looking back on accomplishments in 2013, the FMI Board received a thorough report on how FMI is implementing the strategic plan that was adopted one year ago.   In reporting on this to the food retail executives attending the Midwinter Executive conference FMI Board Chairman, Fred Morganthal said, “I am pleased to tell you that with one year under our belts, FMI has made noteworthy progress in putting the strategic plan into action. (Th)is not just a report languishing in a forgotten email already archived in folders so deep it will never be found, but is a living document shaping how your FMI staff manages their activities.”

The Board previewed a five-minute video recap of FMI’s accomplishments in 2013 and received a copy of the print companion piece, Aisle by Aisle; Reflections on 2013, which provides a department-by-department examination of 2013 endeavors, achievements and new resources developed.  Both the video and the 2013 End of Year report , Aisle by Aisle; Reflections on 2013 can be accessed at www.FMI.org.

In anticipation of continued attention in 2014, the FMI board addressed one of the thorny issues confronting the food retail industry and adopted a new policy statement regarding GMO’s and biotechnology.  As we all know, demand for labeling information regarding genetically modified food continues to grow and is taking some quite public forums including state ballot initiatives, state legislative action, and stores being presented signed petitions requesting GMO labeling.   A Board appointed, executive level task force has been meeting since October to study this issue and this group recommended some changes to FMI’s existing GMO policy statement.  The new GMO policy adopted by the Board:

• Calls for the establishment of one national standard for non-GMO food products; 
• States our belief that any GMO labeling program should focus on providing consumers the ability to clearly identify those products that are not genetically modified. 
• Avoids the inconsistent and confusing pitfalls of a state by state patchwork GMO labeling system - a path we are currently on - by calling for this national standard to be established under the purview of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).