The Food Marketing Institute and National Grocers Association are hosting a free one-day seminar by officials from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) — the agency responsible for enforcing the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) regulations.


The officials will describe how COOL inspections will be conducted, what they will look for and how they will evaluate whether stores comply with the rules.


The seminar is open to all retailers and wholesalers. Attendees must RSVP in advance by email, listing their name, title, company, address, phone number and email.


When:          May 21, 2009
                  9:00 a.m.–4 p.m. (Lunch will be available for purchase.)


Where:            Wyndham DFW Airport North Hotel
                  4441 W. John Carpenter Freeway
                  Irving, TX 75063
                  972.929.8181

                  Make your hotel reservation at the special rate of $115 per night by the April 30 cut-off date for the room block secured by USDA.


Event is not open to the media.


RSVP & Questions:


Susan Arena, FMI
202.22.0615            
sarena@fmi.org   

Jennifer Brant, N.G.A.
703.516.0700
jbrant@nationalgrocers.org