ARLINGTON, VA – The International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) and FMI-Food Industry Association have formed an ad-hoc  partnership aimed at addressing consumer needs for food, water and cleaning products in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.  The partnership will connect foodservice distributors with excess capacity (products, transportation services, warehousing services) with food retailers and wholesalers that need help to keep their stores stocked at a time of skyrocketing demand.

Unlike food retailers and wholesalers, foodservice distributors have excess capacity because the many of the restaurants, schools and other businesses they usually support have been ordered closed.

“These are unprecedented times with unprecedented needs, but if we can think in terms of partnerships and problem solving, we can get through this together,” FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin said.  “We are committed to replenishing supplies, but we know it will take cooperation, patience and consistency to deliver results.”

For foodservice distributors the partnership will offer an opportunity to address a public need while ensuring their own economic viability.

“Our industries are both committed to the safe delivery of food to consumers and we are equipped to provide service during this critical time in our country,” IFDA President and CEO Mark Allen said. “This partnership makes sense and it is in these times of turmoil that we must step up and fill the gaps when we can to help each other where we can.”