Oct 22, 20243 min read

By: Rick Stein, Vice President, Fresh Foods, FMI

Fresh Foods

You've probably heard the saying, "All Talk, No Action."

Or maybe you've heard a variation, "Less Talk, More Action."

As the leader of FMI's fresh foods activities, I think about how these talk vs. action sentiments apply to retailers, suppliers and other stakeholders. I believe we need both discussion and action to address our industry's biggest challenges. I wouldn't say that "less talk" is desirable, but I do feel that discussions are most productive when they lead to positive action steps.

A case in point is the attendee breakout groups at FMI's annual FreshForward senior leadership conference. Multiple groups of stakeholders — including retailers and suppliers — gather together to discuss the biggest topics featured in the conference's presentations and panels. They share perspectives and identify action steps to seize opportunities and overcome hurdles. The input is chronicled and made available in an Action Guide resource for the fresh industry — and this year's guide was just published.

I want to briefly relay some of the action steps identified at the August FreshForward conference in San Diego. These address opportunities around three crucial topics spotlighted at the conference.  

Emerging Consumer Trends in Fresh

Fresh industry leaders can choose from a wide range of action steps to stay on top of emerging consumer trends. These include focusing on the needs of younger consumers, offering convenience, embracing omnichannel, acing multicultural, enhancing shopper experiences and picking your lane.

Here's what attendees said about picking your lane, as relayed in the Action Guide: "Know what you do well and rock it. There are so many ways to go to market in fresh. Organizations can't be all things to all consumer groups."

Sustainability and Packaging

Fresh leaders should consider action steps for advancing sustainability and packaging. These can include prioritizing collaboration, standardizing processes, addressing food waste and relaying strategies to consumers.

I especially like the action step called "make sustainability a journey." Here's how this is described in the guide: "Don't get paralyzed by a desire for perfection. Sustainability and packaging are highly complex topics, but even incremental improvements make a difference."

Technology and AI

The industry can take strategic approaches to making use of technology and artificial intelligence. FreshForward attendees suggested optimizing technology for fresh, carefully choosing use case priorities, educating workforces and creating guardrails for AI use.

Another on-target strategy suggested is "leveraging AI to improve fresh experiences for shoppers." Attendees said this technology can help develop strategies in areas such as personalization, promotions and merchandising.

Checklist to Ensure Progress
Fresh Forward Action Guide

The Action Guide includes a checklist on how to drive progress with internal teams and external partners. These steps include:

  • Choose at least one action step to consider pursuing in the coming months.
  • Explore what levels of internal and external expertise and collaboration are needed to make progress on each action step.
  • Create timelines and measurement strategies.
  • Evaluate initial results and adapt strategies to optimize outcomes.
One More Checklist Item

I encourage you to download the Action Guide if you haven't already done so. It incorporates many more action steps and top insights from the conference — including from FMI's latest research on The State of Fresh Foods.

FreshForward, presented with our partner Deloitte, is about how the fresh sector comes together to push the industry forward.

FreshForward Action Guide    The State of Fresh Foods