4 Reasons To Be Thankful for the FMI Foundation

By: Cathy Polley, RPh, Vice President, Health & Wellness, FMI & Executive Director, FMI Foundation 

1. We throw a good party, every year.

   Did you know that the Foundation hosts its annual fundraiser each year in conjunction with FMI’s Midwinter Executive Conference? This winter we’re taking the party to Miami Beach, Florida where on January 24, 2015 food industry executives will gather together at the FMI Foundation Gala in celebration of Foundation accomplishments. For more information, you can reach out to our in-house party planner, Jessica Reynolds at jreynolds@fmi.org.

2. We help keep your food safe and your delis clean.

   Did you know the Foundation supports food safety education and research? Each year the Foundation hosts the Retail Food Safety Forum in conjunction with FMI Connect. The Foundation also supports the Partnership for Food Safety Education and Purdue University’s research into practical prevention and control strategies for Listeria in retail delis. Check out FMI’s Listeria Action Plan for Retail Delis.

   Do you know a food science student interested in food safety auditing who is hungry for professional experience and would appreciate some tuition assistance? The Foundation can help! Each year, the Foundation awards scholarships to deserving undergraduate and graduate students interested in the food safety auditing profession.  Scholarship recipients receive hands-on audit training and financial incentives.

3. We sing your praises at the family dinner table.

   Did you know the Foundation is committed to helping you help your customers make family meals happen? The Foundation’s Let’s Put Our Plates Together program provides FMI members with tools, information and inspiration in support of their family meals initiatives. Each year the Foundation highlights the outstanding family meals programs offered by FMI members through the Gold Plate Awards, an award program designed to recognize and honor retailer contributions to family mealtime experiences. 

4. We fund collaborations that lead to your innovations. Did you know the Foundation is helping retailers become health and wellness destinations? Through the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, the Foundation awards grants to pharmacy school faculty members that enable them to collaborate with food retailers on practice models involving pharmacists and dietitians. Through these grants, pharmacists and dietitians are learning how to most effectively reach your consumers and meet their healthcare needs.

Why are you thankful for the FMI Foundation? Tell us in-person when you attend the 4^th annual FMI Foundation Gala at FMI’s Midwinter Executive Conference or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FMIFoundation.