Twitter chats have their pros and cons. They can be an incredibly effective tactic for generating awareness and engagement about a certain topic or resource, but they aren’t as simple as sitting down for an hour and posting some tweets. With the right formula, a Twitter chat for a food retailer can be a great communications tactic, as I heard recently from Amy Bailey, social media manager for Skogen’s Festival Foods, as she recapped the Twitter chat the company hosted with its team of registered dietitians and KIND Snacks. Here are some insights Bailey shared with me.

Dietitians in the supermarket industry will tell you the best part of working in food retail is the multitude of opportunities for dietetic practice. Dietitians with clinical expertise are providing nutrition counseling in supermarket pharmacies and in-store clinics. Dietitians with a food technology focus are heading up quality assurance and food safety departments. Dietitians with communications skills are serving as nutrition and health spokespersons for the company. Dietitians with a culinary background are teaming up with supermarket chefs to design delicious, healthy prepared meals for customers to enjoy at home with their family. And the list goes on.

FMI will be hosting its annual Day in Washington fly-in next month, and the timing to make the trip to the nation’s capital could not be better. Our industry has several important legislative initiatives this year, and nothing is more important for our efforts than lawmakers hearing your stories first hand. We look forward to seeing many of you next month. We’re pleased to again partner with the National Grocers Association (NGA) and Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE) for our Day in Washington meetings April 19 – 21 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

When a Class 1 recall happens, most retailers remove product from shelves within two hours after learning about a recall. Many also notify customers through e-mail, phone, websites, social media and other communications tools. In order for recall information to be delivered in a timely manner, this process takes coordination, advanced planning and quick response by all members of the supply chain. It’s a process the entire food industry takes very seriously and now there is a resource to help the recall process be even faster.