May 31, 2016

Trade Group Helps Members Strengthen Roles in Fresh Prepared Foods

MAY 31, 2016 – ARLINGTON, VA – Fifty food retail culinary-focused professionals from more than 25 retail banners have registered already for Supermarket Chefs, the first-ever thought leadership program specifically designed by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) to help its members harness the power of fresh prepared departments. The Supermarket Chefs event will take place Tuesday – Wednesday, June 21 and 22 within FMI Connect at McCormick Place in Chicago.

“Fresh prepared has become one of the fastest evolving and sales -centric areas of food retailing,” said Rick Stein, vice president of fresh foods for FMI. “But this changing environment is filled with unchartered challenges, especially as it relates to better managing people, finances and ensuring food safety.” To help navigate these challenges, FMI created Supermarket Chefs – a two-day educational program within FMI Connect tailored to leaders of fresh prepared departments. Specifically, the program is designed to help attendees bridge the divide between the culinary arts and business brass tacks needed to turn fresh prepared departments into consistent profit generators. 

“We could not be more delighted with the immediate response from retailers,” Stein continued. “Dozens of retailers  have signed up to attend including Acme, Ahold, Albertsons, Giant Eagle, H-E-B, Hy-Vee, Macy's, Meijer, Publix, Sam's Club, Target, and Wakefern to name a few. Even more impressive is the caliber of leadership from each retailer. We have an excellent mix of professionals with titles such as corporate chef, culinary director, SVP, VP and director of fresh prepared foods & deli, foodservice director, restaurant training specialist, director of food innovation, as well as senior buyers. We also have representation from other culinary outlets that will add insights to all areas where consumers are acquiring fresh prepared meal solutions.”

Seating is limited but still available for this intensely valuable two-day program.  Participants must register for this event separately from FMI Connect. Registration is free. “If your banner doesn’t normally send fresh prepared or culinary team members to FMI Connect, this event would be an excellent reason to do so,” Stein concluded. 

Supermarket Chefs registration page can be found at http://www.cvent.com/d/ffqf24.  It includes the full schedule of events and more details. 

The Supermarket Chefs event has been made possible by sponsor funding from Dot Foods, Federated Group, The Kraft Heinz Company, The National Turkey Federation and in media partnership with Supermarket News and Nation's Restaurant News.