FMI recently named that Susan Borra, RD, as Chief Health and Wellness Officer and Executive Director of the FMI Foundation. I took some time to hear from Sue about her plans for the new role and what the FMI Foundation was up to.

The FDA Food Code is the go-to resource for retail food safety professionals. The Food Code is a model guidance that includes science-based food safety principles for the retail and food service industry to protect public health and ensure the food sold to consumers is safe. The Food Code is commonly adopted by state, local and tribal agencies responsible for regulating the U.S. retail food and food service industry, including grocery stores, restaurants, cafeterias, vending machines, schools, and correctional facilities.

We see a great opportunity to increase collaboration across all fresh foods departments at FMI Connect by taking the energy from the previous year’s competitions and transitioning that into a comprehensive learning experience where Supermarket Chefs learn the business side of managing fresh foods departments and executives learn the ins-and-outs of meal planning and culinary trends. Our goals is that these Supermarket Chefs teams leave with a better understanding of each other’s goals, a closer connection and inspiration to take their store’s culinary departments to the next level.

Since 2013, the FMI Foundation has sponsored scholarships to students currently enrolled in food and agricultural science majors who have a true interest in the field of accredited food safety auditing. Applications are now being accepted for the 2016/2017 academic year.