Jun 24, 2009
More than 100 Companies Registered to Attend

ARLINGTON, VA — June 24, 2009 — More than 100 companies already are registered to attend the Food Industry Sustainability Summit, to be held August 17-19, 2009, in San Francisco, CA. Designed by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the Summit is bringing together leaders and visionaries — retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), academia and government — to explore emerging issues, innovative solutions and best practices.

     “The Summit transcends the economic down times we are experiencing,” said FMI president and chief executive officer Leslie G. Sarasin. “The growing concern about the impact of climate change and population growth on our natural resources serves as a reminder to us all that we must have sustainable business practices in place to preserve what we have for future generations. The Summit presents an opportunity to help companies be more proactive and develop new ways to measure, manage and drive sustainability within their companies.”

The program, developed in cooperation with California Grocers Association Educational Foundation, will feature more than 80 speakers who will discuss strategies, provide information and resources and reveal new research to help companies create and refine sustainability programs. It is custom designed to improve the triple bottom line — people, the planet and profits.

To view the final program and to register for the Sustainability Summit visit http://www.fmi.org/forms/meeting/MeetingFormPublic/view?id=4325F00000097.

Keynote Session on How to Prevent, Survive or Prosper From Global Crises

Future 500 president and CEO Bill Shireman will be the opening keynote speaker. He will discuss solutions to crises affecting the environment when business, government and NGOs partner to embrace smart growth and sustainability. Immediately following the session, Shireman will moderate an industry panel that will explore how companies are developing policies and talent to respond to global challenges.

Learn Strategies for Moving to the Next Level

     The sessions will address strategic issues and solutions for businesses as they move forward with sustainability programs. Industry leaders and sustainability experts will focus on many important issues, including:


  • WATER: Blue Is the New Green

    The world’s population has doubled since 1950 but water use has tripled. This session will focus on the water footprint, future water supply and demand and how businesses are conserving water with new technology.

  • Sustainability and the Fusion of Personal and Planetary Health

    A panel discussion about the results of the latest consumer and industry trends research focusing on emerging green consumers and the industry response to sustainability.

  • From the Checkout to the C-Suite to the Consumer: How Leading-Edge Companies Are Embedding Sustainability Into Their Cultures

    Learn about companies that have incorporated sustainable business practices into all aspects of their operations. Hear how it helps attract, train and develop new leadership and other benefits.

  • Navigating the Sustainable Seafood Waters — Future Trends and How to Prepare

    This workshop will explore the key issues and opportunities on the horizon for the seafood industry and how environmental changes, NGO activities and industry commitments will impact the sustainability of wild fisheries and fish farms.

  • Socially Responsible Sourcing — What, Why and How It’s Adding to the Triple Bottom Line for Visionary Companies

    Consumers are purchasing more products they feel are made, sourced or sold by socially responsible companies. Hear how some companies have implemented creative and sometimes risky social responsibility initiatives, which yield many different rewards, including increased net profits.

   

Companies are sending their sustainability teams to take advantage of specialized concurrent sessions and take home new ideas. For example, they will learn how to:


  • Recognize the benefits of green strategies.

  • Prepare for the future.

  • Establish a successful waste reduction program.

  • Reduce global warming by making improvements in the refrigeration section.

  • Identify which NGOs are important to their company.

   


Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to learn more about sustainable packaging at the Essentials of Sustainable Packaging workshop. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) designed the workshop to share insights and innovative examples from the packaging industry. It will start prior to the opening session of the Food Industry Sustainability Summit on Monday, August 17, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The cost is $50 for SPC members and $100 for nonmembers. To register, visit http://www.fmi.org/forms/meeting/MeetingFormPublic/view?id=4325F00000097.