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Arlington, VA: The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) announced a comprehensive compendium of strategic resources, consumer research and educational events to help the industry implement sustainability programs.

FMI’s Board of Directors chartered a Sustainability Task Force in 2006 to help food retailers and wholesalers integrate sustainability into their operations wherever possible and practical.

The announcement came during the most recent meeting of the task force. “Our mission is to help companies chart a course to help preserve the planet through initiatives that make sense economically. The task force has already made considerable progress in creating a platform for food retailers and wholesalers,” says Bob Garrity, senior vice president of Construction and Conservation at Giant Eagle, Inc., who chairs the 22-member task force.

At the meeting, the task force reviewed FMI’s accomplishments which include: a Starter Kit resource to help retailers craft a baseline sustainability strategy; a PowerPoint presentation that explains the concept and why it is important; a report that explores shopper practices and attitudes about these topics; research performed by Catalina Marketing exclusively for FMI, showing how consumers practice sustainability in their lifestyles and buying habits.

FMI’s 2008 FMI Midwinter Executive Conference will feature major presentations on sustainability, including PepsiCo, Inc.’s chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi, who will present her broad vision of sustainability as it relates to humans — products that promote the health and wellness; the environment.

Companies seeking more should contact FMI senior director Jeanne von Zastrow at JvonZastrow@fmi.org .