Grocers on the Hill: A Successful Day in Washington

By Steven Harris, Director, Policy Development and Regulatory Compliance, Food Marketing Institute

Last week, over 200 grocers traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in FMI’s annual Day in Washington fly-in on Capitol Hill, held in partnership with the National Grocers Association and the Food Industry Association Executives.  Participants met with their elected officials to discuss several priority industry issues, such as data security, tax policy, menu labeling and health care, and to raise awareness and interest in related legislative efforts.  We had a productive week of meetings and sessions and look forward to hearing more feedback from participants about their Hill visits over the next few days, particularly in any areas that require follow-up with congressional offices.

Our industry reaches across every congressional district across the country, and lawmakers and policymakers want to hear your story.  Each of our member companies have a unique perspective, catering to different regions, varying socioeconomic backgrounds and companies both large and small.  This affirms why it continues to be so important that food retailers share their achievements, challenges and concerns with lawmakers to identify areas where we can work productively together to find common ground.  We can help tell your story; at fly-in events like Day in Washington and throughout the year back in your operating districts as well.

FMI ran the below ad on the back cover of the Wednesday, April 15 print edition of POLITICO to highlight the contributions of the supermarket industry and to coincide with the Day in Washington fly-in.