Sep 28, 2022

Arlington, VA – As stakeholders from across the food industry convene this week for the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, FMI – The Food Industry Association today announced ambitious commitments the sector has made for 2023 and beyond to help identify solutions for ending hunger, improving nutrition, and reducing diet-related diseases in communities across America.

In the months preceding the conference, FMI members worked diligently to identify a set of bold yet achievable commitments which outline steps the food industry can take to help reduce food and nutrition insecurity in the United States. FMI’s commitments align with the pillars the White House identified as priorities for the Conference to improve food access, reduce diet-related disease, and empower consumers to make healthy choices now and in the future.

  • Commitment 1: Food Donations: FMI members will donate more than 2 billion meals in 2023, with the goal of increasing food donations to food banks and other organizations that support nourishing communities.

  • Commitment 2: Improving Food Access to Underserved Communities: FMI members will commit to robust investment in programs, initiatives, infrastructure enhancements and partnerships to improve food availability in areas of limited food access. FMI members commit to 2023 benchmarking and annual reporting on these numbers.

  • Commitment 3: Leveraging Federal Feeding and Food as Medicine Programs: FMI members will expand access to and leverage federal feeding programs and Food as Medicine programs in the food retail setting that include nutrient-dense foods. FMI members commit to 2023 benchmarking and annual reporting on these numbers. 

  • Commitment 4: Promoting Consumer Education and Transparency: FMI members across the food industry will share evidence-based messages and educational tools for consumers in 2023 to support healthy eating patterns that align with the Dietary Guidelines and federal nutrition guidance.  FMI members commit to 100 million impressions/consumers in 2023. 

FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin, who was invited to participate in today’s in-person White House gathering, stated, “The food industry has a critical role to play in addressing hunger and helping to improve the nutrition and health of all Americans. Grocery stores serve as accessible, convenient, community-based destinations for feeding assistance, preventive care, nutrition guidance, and nourishing, practical meal solutions. It will take all of us working together to achieve these goals; I have full confidence in the food industry’s spirit of innovation and collaboration to not only reach these goals, but far exceed them. We look forward to continuing to work with the White House, members of Congress, our industry partners and other stakeholders to ensure all Americans have access to healthy, nourishing foods.”

For more information on FMI’s involvement in the White House Conference process and our newly announced commitments, visit www.FMI.org/WHConference.