Jul 18, 2022
The Collective Report Puts Forth the Food Industry’s Commitments and Policy Recommendations  

Arlington, VA – Today, FMI – The Food Industry Association, the leading trade group representing food retailers and their supply chain partners, released its 2022 Collective Report to White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.

More than 50 years after the first White House Conference, the Biden administration will host a Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health this Fall. The food industry plays an important role in addressing hunger and improving nutrition and health, with the grocery store serving as an accessible, convenient community-based destination for feeding assistance, preventive care, nutrition guidance, and nourishing, practical meal solutions. 

FMI has collaborated with its members— food retailers, wholesalers and food manufacturers—to gather insights regarding their ongoing health initiatives that support the White House’s goals. Through this process, FMI has crafted a detailed report that puts forth preliminary food industry commitments and recommendations for government actions, and showcases examples from members’ health and well-being initiatives and community outreach and engagement programs that demonstrate some of the ways the food industry can help build a healthier future for all Americans. 

“The time is right to address the critical challenges faced by millions of Americans in accessing and affording food,” said Leslie Sarasin, FMI President and CEO. “The Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health provides an historic opportunity for all stakeholders to join in the goal of ending hunger and food insecurity, reducing diet-related diseases, and improving nutrition. To that end, FMI’s 2022 Collective Report sets feasible, actionable, and measurable goals for our members to commit to improving food access and affordability, prioritizing the role of nutrition and food security in overall health, and enabling communities to make informed, healthy choices.” 

As the centerpiece in regional food systems and local communities, and as partners in the health care ecosystem, the food industry is uniquely aligned with the first three White House Conference Pillars which focus on improving food access and affordability, integrating nutrition and health, and empowering all consumers to make and have access to healthy choices — whether that is in the grocery store, online, or in the community. To support these commitments, FMI collected insights, stories, and recommendations from member companies about their nutrition, health, and well-being initiatives and community partnerships. 

In alignment with the White House’s goals, FMI’s members have committed to several health and well-being initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to, committing to expanding meal donations, consistent with the dietary guidelines for all Americans (DGAs), to food banks and other non-profits that feed people in under resourced areas; ensuring access to the expertise and services of registered dietitians, nutritionists and Food as Medicine initiatives across the food industry to prevent, manage and treat diet-related disease; and increasing the number, scope and clarity of positive, actionable, consumer-facing educational messages that align with the DGAs and are delivered to consumers in partnership with federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food Drug Administration.

To further these goals, FMI hosted a convening that brought together association food industry members to discuss FMI’s feedback and policy recommendations for the White House Conference. FMI members were pleased to be joined by Chairman James P. McGovern (D-MA), a champion in the fight against hunger and a strong advocate for the Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. 

“Grocers serve as convenient destinations for food access – and they can help policymakers bridge the gap between food and nutrition insecurity to build healthier, hunger-free communities across the country,” said Chairman Jim McGovern (D-MA). “I am encouraged by FMI’s commitment to partnering with the federal government to find permanent solutions to this issue – let’s come together and develop a road map to finally end hunger in this country.” 

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