FMI - OMEGA - West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association

Under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires biennial registration of all domestic and foreign food facilities engaged in manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding food for consumption in the United States (originally established under the Bioterrorism Act). Re-registration occurs every even numbered year from October 1 through December 31. New facilities must also register with the FDA. Farms and retail operations, such as grocery stores, do not have to register, while retailer-owned distribution centers must register as “holding” facilities, and retailer-owned commissaries and central kitchens that are not part of a retail location must also register.

The timing could not be more fortuitous. After a particularly contentious and vicious political season that exposed the depth and severity of every divide and difference across the American civic landscape, the nation is hungry – in body and spirit - for the healing diplomacy of a good Thanksgiving meal.

Joe Bivona, Time, Inc., hosted FMI staff to an all-day culinary experience at the Time, Inc. Food Studios in Birmingham Alabama. Here is Chef Robby Melvin preparing a quick and healthy meal in one of their many demonstration kitchens.

I grew up with my head buried in books. Authors like Dr. Seuss, C.S. Lewis and Shel Silverstein were my guides extolling the merits of curiosity, hard work and goodwill. I can still recall Dr. Seuss’s words in The Lorax, “Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” The meaning of these two short sentences has expanded. The ability to make a difference goes beyond one person. It’s a community striving to be good to their neighbors. We see grocery stores everyday put these ideas into actions.

With the 2016 election results and commercials now (mostly) behind us, it is the perfect time to develop and build relationships with the winners of this election in order to get them to understand your perspective on votes they will take in the city council, county commission, state legislature or Congress. Many newly elected or reelected officials will begin putting together offices and priorities and learning which committees and caucuses they will join. A little outreach now can have a big impact.