ARLINGTON, Va. — The new Food Marketing Institute document, “Sustainability on the Shelves: A Guide for Category Managers & Buyers,” includes a “cheat sheet” intended to help jumpstart a dialogue between the supermarket executives and suppliers on the sustainability component of products.
“It’s a challenge getting the attention of category managers,” said Harriet Hentges, vice president, corporate social responsibility, Ahold USA, and chair of FMI’s Sustainability Education and Communication Work Group, during a workshop Wednesday at the FMI/GMA Sustainability Summit here. “They want to [address sustainability] but they’re busy and overloaded.”
In addition to the cheat sheet, the guide has more detailed information and hot links to other sources. It is designed to help buyers include sustainability as an element in their evaluation of a product, along with price, availability and service. The guide is free for FMI members and $300 for non-members.
“Category managers and buyers are on the front lines of making shelves more sustainable,” said Hentges in a statement. “This guide is a great tool to strengthen their capability to make more informed and confident choices.”
Webinars on the guide, focusing on specific categories, will be held as follows: fresh, Jan. 12; beverages, Jan. 26; general merchandise, Feb. 9; and seafood, March 2. All webinars will begin at 1 p.m. EST. To register, contact jvonzastrow@fmi.org.