ARLINGTON, Va. — FMI— The Food Industry Association — on Thursday announced its fresh foods insights and programming agenda for the year.

“The grocery industry is well-positioned to compete for the food dollar and we are committed to helping our members navigate consumer preferences,” said Rick Stein, vice president of fresh foods for FMI. “Our fresh foods agenda for 2021 supports the food industry with consumer-focused research, thought leadership discussions and networking opportunities designed to help professionals make informed decisions regarding their grocery business.”

Throughout the year, FMI will release a series of reports that provide insights into the minds of fresh food shoppers. The Power of Seafood report, to be released in February, will provide insights into the seafood shopper’s nutrition and sustainability preferences. In late March, released at the Annual Meat Conference and in collaboration with North American Meat Institute, the Power of Meat report will look at shoppers’ changing meat purchasing behaviors and how retailers and suppliers can respond. In April, the Power of Produce will examine shoppers’ cooking habits with produce and health and well-being implications. Finally, in September, The Power of Foodservice at Retail will pinpoint shoppers’ habits in this growing department.

To accompany the fresh foods research agenda, FMI will host thought leadership and networking opportunities throughout the year. In addition to educational webinars about research findings, we’ll host regular FreshForward Conversations designed to continue discussions related to the annual event all year long.

“With the rapid pace of change we’re experiencing, our regular FreshForward Conversations are a chance to continue discussions from 2020, share insights in real time and connect with new and potential supply chain partners,” shared Stein. “In addition, these ongoing discussions will help shape the agenda for FMI’s 2021 FreshForward event held in August.”

Information about upcoming fresh foods events, research reports and more can be found at www.FMI.org/FreshFoods. Members can tune in January 13 for FMI’s next fresh foods discussion, A FreshForward Conversation: Interview with Susan Schwallie of The NPD Group.