ARLINGTON – VA – FMI – The Food Industry Association is pleased that the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are finalizing their Congressional Committees and will soon begin work as the country’s 117th Congress. Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI, offered the following statement on working with the New Congress, the Biden administration and executive branch leadership teams: 

“Whether it’s during a natural disaster or a national emergency, the food industry continues to do what it does best – care for its customers and the communities it serves. Thousands of grocery workers day-in and day-out have paid attention to the details of their work to safeguard their customers’ access to safe and affordable food all across America throughout this nearly year-long pandemic. 

“While 2020 has presented a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, the food industry stands ready as essential partners to not only provide food and household products now, but also to serve as safe, convenient places for customers to receive the COVID-19 vaccines in the weeks and months ahead. Our 12,000 supermarket pharmacies are working fervently to get Americans vaccinated as safely and efficiently as possible while utilizing different types of vaccines. As trusted health care providers to their customers, supermarket pharmacies already provide comprehensive immunization services and counseling to their customers. According to FMI research, supermarket pharmacies currently provide 20% of the nation’s flu vaccines. It is essential that supermarket pharmacies and the broader food industry be part of the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination effort. 

 “We look forward to working with the newly elected president, vice president and Members of Congress on issues impacting the food industry - their customers and communities - and ensuring the voice of the food industry is represented authentically on Capitol Hill, to the White House, and throughout the executive branch.”