Are you helping mold the supply chain of the future? Are you an expert in the food industry supply chain? Do you have a new technology or innovation to share that can help both suppliers and retailers enhance their supply chain? Then the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) have an opportunity for you.

When I first heard FMI Future Leaders at FMI Connect speaker Tara Jaye Frank, founder and CEO of TJF Career Modeling LLC explain unconscious bias, a light bulb went off for me. “Unconscious bias is a collection of thoughts and/or beliefs shaped by external influences that impact how we perceive and treat other people and situations,” shared Tara. She explained that because these thoughts are as natural as breathing to many of us, we often do not question them. “We have to pause and think before we speak or act and be willing to challenge our own assumptions,” shared Tara.

Robots are a part of both business and personal lives. Currently, we see robotics primarily in manufacturing in our industry, but what can we look forward to seeing in our offices and grocery stores in the near future? We’re bringing a few of these ideas to FMI Connect this year and plan to keep a close watch on what to expect in the years to come. Here are some technology highlights to be sure to catch.

The following is a transcript from Sarasin’s participation at today’s press conference with the Coalition For Safe Affordable Food stressing urgency of Senate action on national GMO labeling and costs of inaction.