Food Industry Groups Launch Partnership To Ensure Sufficient Food Supply Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Partnership Speeds Up the Process to Get Products to Consumers

Today, the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) and FMI-Food Industry Association announced an ad-hoc partnership motivated by widespread consumer needs fueled by the coronavirus pandemic. The partnership is a matching program that connects foodservice distributors that have excess capacity (products, transportation services, warehousing services) to assist food retailers and wholesalers that require additional resources to fulfill needs at grocery stores, which are experiencing skyrocketing demand.

Food industry experts have indicated the demand for food, water and cleaning products over the course of recent weeks has exceeded any previous shopping holiday season, which has caused retailers to experience delays between replenishment.

However, many local and state governments have recommended or mandated closing restaurants, schools and other businesses that are supported by the foodservice distribution industry. While food industry resources are stretched to capacity, foodservice distribution resources are in need of economic sustainability. This partnership will not only fill a crucial gap, but will also serve the American population from one end of the country to the other.

“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.”

“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.”

About The International Foodservice Distributors Association
The International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) is the premier trade organization representing the $280 billion foodservice distribution industry. This industry ensures a safe and efficient supply of food and products to more than one million restaurants and foodservice outlets in the U.S. every day. For more information, visit www.ifdaonline.org.

About The Food Industry Association
As the food industry association, FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier and more efficient consumer food supply chain. FMI brings together a wide range of members across the value chain — from retailers that sell to consumers, to producers that supply food and other products, as well as the wide variety of companies providing critical services — to amplify the collective work of the industry. For more information, visit www.FMI.org.