FMI – The Food Industry Association is the first trade organization to join the U.S. Food Waste Pact, the national voluntary agreement focused on reducing food waste in the U.S., co-led by nonprofits ReFED and World Wildlife Fund.
FMI joins 20 other companies and organizations that have signed onto the pact, which utilizes the “Target, Measure, Act” framework to promote collaboration and reduce waste across the food system.
According to ReFED, 31 percent of food produced in the U.S. goes uneaten or unsold, with the vast majority becoming waste that gets sent to destinations like landfills, incinerators and sewer systems.
This surplus food – 73.9 million tons each year – is equivalent to 120 billion meals, and valued at $382 billion, giving food businesses an opportunity to help their bottom lines and communities.
“FMI has a long history of working to address food waste,” said Andy Harig, the association’s VP of tax, trade, sustainability and policy development.
“Highlighting the importance of food waste reduction has been a priority for us for over a decade, and we’re pleased to continue that journey by joining the U.S. Food Waste Pact. This will give us an opportunity to collaborate directly with food businesses across the industry and share best practices from our wider lens as an industry association.”
Since 2011, FMI has been part of the Food Waste Reduction Alliance, a partnership that also includes the Consumer Brands Association and the National Restaurant Association. The alliance aims to address the root causes of waste within food business operations and secure pathways to donate or recycle it.
FMI’s work has included educating consumers about date labels and developing The FoodKeeper, a mobile app and online database containing information about storage and food safety.
“As an industry association with a large and diverse membership base, FMI brings a vital and unique perspective to food waste prevention and reduction,” said Jackie Suggitt, VP of business initiatives and community engagement at ReFED.
“FMI has been such an important leader on a number of key issues, and we look forward to their collaboration with other Pact signatories as they share their unique industry-wide expertise and best practices.”
FMI is the 21st business to join the U.S. Food Waste Pact. Other signatories include retailers Ahold Delhaize USA, Aldi U.S., Amazon Fresh, Raley’s, Walmart Inc. and Whole Foods Market; manufacturers Bob’s Red Mill, Del Monte Fresh Produce Co. and Lamb Weston; coalition signatories Health Care Without Harm and R&DE Stanford Food Institute; foodservice signatories Aramark, Compass Group USA, ISS Guckenheimer and Sodexo USA; quick-service restaurants Chick-fil-A and Starbucks; and hospitality signatory Hilton.