ARLINGTON, VA – February 23, 2017– Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) Senior Director of Tax, Sustainability and Trade, Andrew Harig, spoke to an audience of agriculturists, food enthusiasts, economists and trade experts today at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 93rd Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. Harig joined speakers Annemarie Kuhns, USDA Economist, and Richard Volpe, Professor at California Polytechnic University, on a panel relevant to the theme of this year’s event, A New Horizon: The Future of Agriculture.  

Harig spoke about the revolution in food retail as not being hyperbole, in part because the “new consumer” buying groceries today has a direct impact on the entire supply chain – from production to plate. While addressing the panel topics of food price inflation, and the implications these prices have for consumers, Harig also referenced FMI research suggesting that technological advances have reshaped the food shopping experience.

Harig maintained, “The food retail industry is positioned to change so dramatically that we will need to reimagine how we think about competition and how to be a retailer.”

He noted, “As Farm Bill discussions ramp up, FMI is pleased to engage with members of the supply chain to help shape the future of food.”