<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss xmlns:a10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title>FMI Updates:  News, Blog, and Events</title><link>https://www.fmi.org/</link><description /><category>Technology</category><category>Foundation Supporter</category><category>NFMM</category><category>Fresh Foods</category><category>Research</category><category>Family Meals</category><category>Asset Protection</category><category>Education</category><category>Government Relations</category><category>Retail Operations</category><category>Private Brands</category><category>Health &amp; Well-being</category><category>Supply Chain</category><category>FreshForward</category><category>Food Safety &amp; Security</category><category>Safemark</category><category>FMItech Pitch Competition</category><category>Midwinter 2027</category><category>Sustainability</category><category>Animal Welfare</category><category>Workforce</category><category>Pharmacy</category><category>Meat &amp; Poultry</category><category>Events</category><category>Future Leaders</category><a10:contributor><a10:name>Morgan  Griffin</a10:name></a10:contributor><a10:contributor><a10:name>Debbie Walyus</a10:name></a10:contributor><a10:contributor><a10:name>Kelli Windsor</a10:name></a10:contributor><a10:contributor><a10:name>Matt McKinney</a10:name></a10:contributor><a10:link rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" href="https://www.fmi.org/feeds/FMI-Updates" /><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:bd43da4e-8427-4b50-bb22-d2ccfedce1f4</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/10/22/when-ai-shapes-the-grocery-basket--what-counts-as-growth</link><a10:author><a10:name>Morgan  Griffin</a10:name></a10:author><category>Technology</category><title>When AI Shapes the Grocery Basket, What Counts as Growth?</title><description>Somewhere, an omnichannel shopper is asking an AI assistant to plan meals for the week, accommodate dietary preferences and suggest products that fit within a household budget. List in hand, the shopper heads to their neighborhood grocery store.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:10 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">Somewhere, an omnichannel shopper is asking an AI assistant to plan meals for the week, accommodate dietary preferences and suggest products that fit within a household budget. List in hand, the shopper heads to their neighborhood grocery store.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:9bc51cea-6931-43b6-a923-e7e3a5874e5a</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/10/21/so--how-did-family-meals-month-do-this-year</link><a10:author><a10:name>Debbie Walyus</a10:name></a10:author><category>Foundation Supporter</category><category>NFMM</category><title>So, How Did Family Meals Month Do This Year?</title><description>The FMI Foundation's 2026 Family Meals Month campaign reached more than one-third of Americans, with 96% of those who saw the promotions taking positive actions such as cooking more at home, making healthier food choices and eating together as a family more often.</description><pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:08 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">The FMI Foundation's 2026 Family Meals Month campaign reached more than one-third of Americans, with 96% of those who saw the promotions taking positive actions such as cooking more at home, making healthier food choices and eating together as a family more often.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:7baa423c-8cf8-4207-9499-d6e2879dcbee</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/10/20/when-do-shoppers-decide-on-their-next-meal</link><a10:author><a10:name>Kelli Windsor</a10:name></a10:author><category>Fresh Foods</category><category>Research</category><title>When Do Shoppers Decide On Their Next Meal?</title><description>FMI’s The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2026 report examines when shoppers decide on different meals and how foodservice in retail departments can be the meal solution for them.</description><pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:07 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">FMI’s The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2026 report examines when shoppers decide on different meals and how foodservice in retail departments can be the meal solution for them.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:746733e4-6ae6-49e0-b7fc-42b95a97987a</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/10/19/understanding-why-food-industry-professional-development-matters-for-success</link><a10:author><a10:name>Kelli Windsor</a10:name></a10:author><category>Asset Protection</category><category>Education</category><category>Fresh Foods</category><category>Government Relations</category><category>Retail Operations</category><category>Private Brands</category><category>Health &amp; Well-being</category><category>Technology</category><category>Supply Chain</category><title>Understanding Why Food Industry Professional Development Matters for Success</title><description>A career in the food industry has nuances to it that make customized professional development especially important. FMI  offers a portfolio of annual events and training programs tailored specifically for food retail professionals, designed to maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.</description><pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:07 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">A career in the food industry has nuances to it that make customized professional development especially important. FMI  offers a portfolio of annual events and training programs tailored specifically for food retail professionals, designed to maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:64f4f941-cf50-480d-8d12-59163bfcbf7f</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/10/16/grocery-loyalty-programs-help-shoppers-save</link><a10:author><a10:name>Matt McKinney</a10:name></a10:author><category>Government Relations</category><category>Retail Operations</category><category>Technology</category><title>Grocery Loyalty Programs Help Shoppers Save</title><description>Grocery loyalty programs are just one way that retailers provide savings and value, offering shoppers access to digital coupons, rewards and personalized incentives based on their shopping preferences.</description><pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:00:28 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">Grocery loyalty programs are just one way that retailers provide savings and value, offering shoppers access to digital coupons, rewards and personalized incentives based on their shopping preferences.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:8a6953a5-b63b-4880-a3c5-633b2c220315</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/10/13/taking-action-to-enhance-fresh-foods-success</link><a10:author><a10:name>Debbie Walyus</a10:name></a10:author><category>FreshForward</category><category>Fresh Foods</category><category>Retail Operations</category><category>Research</category><title>Taking Action to Enhance Fresh Foods Success</title><description>FMI’s FreshForward Action Guide provides practical strategies for technology, consumer engagement and fresh food merchandising.</description><pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:05 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">FMI’s FreshForward Action Guide provides practical strategies for technology, consumer engagement and fresh food merchandising.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:8d85f89b-e021-446c-bb49-1462092ef956</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/10/13/fda-releases-the-2026-food-code--what-food-retailers-need-to-know</link><a10:author><a10:name>Debbie Walyus</a10:name></a10:author><category>Food Safety &amp; Security</category><category>Safemark</category><title>FDA Releases the 2026 Food Code: What Food Retailers Need to Know</title><description>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released the 2026 Food Code, marking the latest update to the model regulations that guide retail food safety practices across the United States.</description><pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:05 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released the 2026 Food Code, marking the latest update to the model regulations that guide retail food safety practices across the United States.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:330b5400-01c3-43af-b8cf-9fdc9c9ca71c</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/10/09/meet-the-fmitech-pitch-class-of-2027</link><a10:author><a10:name>Debbie Walyus</a10:name></a10:author><category>Technology</category><category>FMItech Pitch Competition</category><category>Midwinter 2027</category><title>Meet the FMItech Pitch Class of 2027</title><description>Today, FMI announced the FMItech Pitch Class of 2027, which includes six emerging technology companies from the U.S., the U.K. and Australia, reflecting the increasingly global scope of food retail technology.</description><pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:00:05 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">Today, FMI announced the FMItech Pitch Class of 2027, which includes six emerging technology companies from the U.S., the U.K. and Australia, reflecting the increasingly global scope of food retail technology.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:10d722a5-6792-4fbf-a082-a354f3dccc58</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/10/08/sustainability-through-a-farm-lens</link><a10:author><a10:name>Morgan  Griffin</a10:name></a10:author><category>Sustainability</category><category>Animal Welfare</category><title>Sustainability Through a Farm Lens</title><description>Attending Perdue Farms’ 11th Annual Animal Care &amp; Sustainability Summit offered an opportunity to see how animal care, environmental stewardship, human health and farm viability intersect in a working farm setting.</description><pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:07 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">Attending Perdue Farms’ 11th Annual Animal Care &amp; Sustainability Summit offered an opportunity to see how animal care, environmental stewardship, human health and farm viability intersect in a working farm setting.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:1255a139-b944-4548-9545-affd08b32cfb</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/10/06/the-times-and-families-are-a--changin--with-implications-for-meals-together-at-home</link><a10:author><a10:name>Morgan  Griffin</a10:name></a10:author><category>Family Meals</category><category>Family Meals</category><category>Research</category><title>The Times and Families Are A ‘Changin’ with Implications for Meals Together at Home</title><description>In 1970, 67% of Americans between the ages of 25 to 49 lived with a spouse and at least one child under 18, which made it easy for the typical American family to be characterized in magazines and on TV. Fast forward fifty years and that number has dropped to 37%. There is no one picture of the family meal that speaks for most of the American family’s experience.</description><pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:10 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">In 1970, 67% of Americans between the ages of 25 to 49 lived with a spouse and at least one child under 18, which made it easy for the typical American family to be characterized in magazines and on TV. Fast forward fifty years and that number has dropped to 37%. There is no one picture of the family meal that speaks for most of the American family’s experience.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:d2316176-fbb6-43e9-ac7d-48d8d45773ea</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/10/05/why-are-mid-sized-retailers-poised-to-be-the-food-industry-s-most-interesting-technology-innovators</link><a10:author><a10:name>Morgan  Griffin</a10:name></a10:author><category>Technology</category><category>Workforce</category><category>Research</category><title>Why Are Mid-Sized Retailers Poised To Be the Food Industry’s Most Interesting Technology Innovators?</title><description>FMI’s 2026 State of Technology report reveals that retailers operating between 11 and 100 stores are often outperforming expectations in some of the industry's most important workforce-related technology investments.</description><pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:05 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">FMI’s 2026 State of Technology report reveals that retailers operating between 11 and 100 stores are often outperforming expectations in some of the industry's most important workforce-related technology investments.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:181b4e26-bc69-48d1-a6dc-6e8b58d3befb</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/10/01/food-waste-prevention-is-a-shared-priority</link><a10:author><a10:name>Matt McKinney</a10:name></a10:author><category>Fresh Foods</category><category>Sustainability</category><title>Food Waste Prevention Is a Shared Priority</title><description>Food Waste Prevention Week gives us a chance to recognize the work that food retailers, wholesalers and product suppliers are undertaking to keep good food from going to waste.</description><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:00:14 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">Food Waste Prevention Week gives us a chance to recognize the work that food retailers, wholesalers and product suppliers are undertaking to keep good food from going to waste.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:117c9e1a-5094-49fa-8035-39f0caab6591</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/30/meet-a-grocery-store-pharmacist-with-a-passion-for-community-health</link><a10:author><a10:name>Morgan  Griffin</a10:name></a10:author><category>Health &amp; Well-being</category><category>Pharmacy</category><title>Meet a Grocery Store Pharmacist with a Passion for Community Health</title><description>Join us to learn more about Ujjaval Pathak, PharmD, RPh, MBA, a pharmacist and clinical coordinator at The Giant Company, as he exemplifies how a grocery store pharmacist serves as a trusted community resource. His work helps people stay healthy and ultimately makes preventive care easier to access as part of the larger web of resources the food industry provides to support consumer health and well-being.</description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:12 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">Join us to learn more about Ujjaval Pathak, PharmD, RPh, MBA, a pharmacist and clinical coordinator at The Giant Company, as he exemplifies how a grocery store pharmacist serves as a trusted community resource. His work helps people stay healthy and ultimately makes preventive care easier to access as part of the larger web of resources the food industry provides to support consumer health and well-being.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:e7b184a3-67f9-4e70-b87d-8c47aeb9be2b</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/29/meat-sales-are-outperforming--but-evolving-economic-impacts-are-reshaping-how-shoppers-buy</link><a10:author><a10:name>Debbie Walyus</a10:name></a10:author><category>Meat &amp; Poultry</category><category>Events</category><category>Fresh Foods</category><title>Meat Sales Are Outperforming, But Evolving Economic Impacts Are Reshaping How Shoppers Buy</title><description>The recent “Meat in Motion” webinar explored the forces driving meat demand today, from economic impacts and affordability to the continued appeal of premium proteins.</description><pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:00:04 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">The recent “Meat in Motion” webinar explored the forces driving meat demand today, from economic impacts and affordability to the continued appeal of premium proteins.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:e77df310-d204-473b-b884-0b45d48f56a4</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/25/from-signal-to-action</link><a10:author><a10:name>Morgan  Griffin</a10:name></a10:author><category>Technology</category><category>Research</category><title>From Signal to Action</title><description>Technology adoption across the retail food industry is accelerating. But as this year’s 2026 State of Technology report makes clear, the more important question is no longer whether organizations are investing in technology but rather whether they’re prepared to turn those investments into measurable business value.</description><pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:00:09 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">Technology adoption across the retail food industry is accelerating. But as this year’s 2026 State of Technology report makes clear, the more important question is no longer whether organizations are investing in technology but rather whether they’re prepared to turn those investments into measurable business value.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:623e37bb-c5ca-434e-bfa3-2889601d1e55</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/24/a-golden-opportunity--a-spotlight-on-your-family-meals-programming</link><a10:author><a10:name>Debbie Walyus</a10:name></a10:author><category>Foundation Supporter</category><category>NFMM</category><title>A Golden Opportunity: A Spotlight on Your Family Meals Programming</title><description>FMI’s Gold Plate Awards celebrate organizations making an impact by promoting family meals in their communities.</description><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:00:07 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">FMI’s Gold Plate Awards celebrate organizations making an impact by promoting family meals in their communities.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:329216ad-c185-4013-acc7-bd4c63200b46</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/23/why-private-brand-food-retailers-and-manufacturers-lead-in-artificial-intelligence-adoption</link><a10:author><a10:name>Kelli Windsor</a10:name></a10:author><category>Private Brands</category><category>Research</category><title>Why Private Brand Food Retailers and Manufacturers Lead in Artificial Intelligence Adoption</title><description>Private brand companies, both food retailers and manufacturers, are early adopters of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance research, marketing, and operational efficiency.</description><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:07 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">Private brand companies, both food retailers and manufacturers, are early adopters of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance research, marketing, and operational efficiency.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:85c46b58-8226-4eff-bea1-50020d20c1c4</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/22/what-cpi--ppi--trade-and-corn-are-signaling-about-food-prices</link><a10:author><a10:name>Matt McKinney</a10:name></a10:author><category>Supply Chain</category><category>Government Relations</category><title>What CPI, PPI, Trade and Corn Are Signaling about Food Prices</title><description>Flat August grocery inflation offers consumers near-term relief, but rising energy, transportation and storage costs, trade uncertainty and tighter corn markets could push food-price growth higher in the months ahead.</description><pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:31 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">Flat August grocery inflation offers consumers near-term relief, but rising energy, transportation and storage costs, trade uncertainty and tighter corn markets could push food-price growth higher in the months ahead.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:5f98bd4b-af6b-4ebe-9038-9d4c8531137f</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/21/with-razor-thin-margins--wholesalers-can-reduce-cost-to-serve-and-improve-performance</link><a10:author><a10:name>Debbie Walyus</a10:name></a10:author><title>With Razor Thin Margins, Wholesalers Can Reduce Cost-to-Serve and Improve Performance</title><description>FMI's report The Whole Picture finds that grocery wholesalers operating on thin margins can reduce cost-to-serve and grow revenue by adopting five collaborative strategies with their manufacturer and retailer partners.</description><pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:00:10 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">FMI's report The Whole Picture finds that grocery wholesalers operating on thin margins can reduce cost-to-serve and grow revenue by adopting five collaborative strategies with their manufacturer and retailer partners.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:f27a7509-622a-432e-98d3-887cd3a7042b</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/18/everyone's-table-starts-with-food-safety</link><a10:author><a10:name>Kelli Windsor</a10:name></a10:author><title>Everyone's Table Starts with Food Safety</title><description>National Food Safety Education Month promotes simple food safety practices that help keep food safe at everyone's table.</description><pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:00:02 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">National Food Safety Education Month promotes simple food safety practices that help keep food safe at everyone's table.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:3b6a6138-0c8b-404b-a86a-6d15d7a7e78a</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/17/extending-food-safety-across-every-link-in-the-supply-chain</link><a10:author><a10:name>Kelli Windsor</a10:name></a10:author><category>Food Safety &amp; Security</category><title>Extending Food Safety Across Every Link in the Supply Chain</title><description>The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI)  has introduced two new certification standards: the SQF Code: Agents and Brokers, Edition 9, and the SQF Code: Food Safety Services, Edition 9, that extend SQF’s reach to parts of the supply chain that can significantly impact food safety.</description><pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:00:07 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI)  has introduced two new certification standards: the SQF Code: Agents and Brokers, Edition 9, and the SQF Code: Food Safety Services, Edition 9, that extend SQF’s reach to parts of the supply chain that can significantly impact food safety.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:bef914bf-c4ab-4241-81fe-a3120920a9e7</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/16/family-meals--the-best-lever-to-lower-shopper-concern-about-food-prices</link><a10:author><a10:name>Debbie Walyus</a10:name></a10:author><category>Research</category><category>Family Meals</category><title>Family Meals: The Best Lever to Lower Shopper Concern about Food Prices</title><description>As grocery prices remain top of mind, family meals are helping shoppers gain greater control over food spending while delivering meaningful value at home.</description><pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:04 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">As grocery prices remain top of mind, family meals are helping shoppers gain greater control over food spending while delivering meaningful value at home.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:cd534ec0-121e-45cc-a8d3-8100db5cc9e2</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/11/grocery-shopper-generational-splits-in-beverages-purchases</link><a10:author><a10:name>Morgan  Griffin</a10:name></a10:author><category>Research</category><title>Grocery Shopper Generational Splits in Beverages Purchases</title><description>Walk down the beverage aisle with a Gen Z shopper, a millennial parent, a Gen X professional and a baby boomer, and chances are you will watch four very different shopping journeys unfold.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:00:03 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">Walk down the beverage aisle with a Gen Z shopper, a millennial parent, a Gen X professional and a baby boomer, and chances are you will watch four very different shopping journeys unfold.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:ea7cdbad-ff00-434c-bfa3-78e9233e30b3</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/10/celebrating-the-next-generation-of-food-retail-leaders</link><a10:author><a10:name>Morgan  Griffin</a10:name></a10:author><category>Future Leaders</category><category>Education</category><title>Celebrating the Next Generation of Food Retail Leaders</title><description>This year, 281 food industry professionals from 19 companies came together to strengthen their leadership skills, learn from one another and put new ideas into practice. 257 participants earned their Food Retail Leader Certificate: a 91.5% completion rate.</description><pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:00:03 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">This year, 281 food industry professionals from 19 companies came together to strengthen their leadership skills, learn from one another and put new ideas into practice. 257 participants earned their Food Retail Leader Certificate: a 91.5% completion rate.</a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:4007ed68-ac97-4bf2-a791-80552a4fcb38</guid><link>https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2026/09/09/fresh-still-wins--three-signals-shaping-the-future-of-grocery</link><a10:author><a10:name>Debbie Walyus</a10:name></a10:author><category>Research</category><category>Fresh Foods</category><title>Fresh Foods Still Win: Three Signals Shaping the Future of Grocery</title><description>Fresh has always been the heartbeat of the store. It drives traffic, builds loyalty and increasingly shapes how shoppers define value.</description><pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 12:00:09 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">Fresh has always been the heartbeat of the store. It drives traffic, builds loyalty and increasingly shapes how shoppers define value.</a10:content></item></channel></rss>