FMI’s collaboration through the U.S. Food Waste Pact highlights how shared measurement, industry partnerships and operational practices like food donation are helping retailers and foodservice companies reduce waste while strengthening community impact and business performance.
By: Julie Savoie, Senior Director, Work Force, Talent & Sustainability, Industry Relations, FMI
Addressing food waste is an issue that cuts across every sector of the food supply chain and aligns with consumer values in mitigating the impact on the environment and ensuring nutritious food goes to feeding people instead of a landfill. While food waste is eminently solvable, meaningful progress requires a coordinated effort among stakeholders to marshal the resources and will to achieve. At FMI, collaboration isn’t just a slogan, it’s how we move the industry forward in ways that promote innovation, growth and a more efficient, resilient food system. That belief drives our engagement in the U.S. Food Waste Pact and shapes how we support retailers, wholesalers and product suppliers as they work to reduce waste across the food system.
The U.S. Food Waste Pact brings together food companies in a non-competitive space to measure waste, share insights and test solutions. Its newly released 2025 Impact Report underscores why this model matters. For the second year, the Pact published national retail and foodservice data that shows meaningful improvements in efficiency and donation outcomes, reinforcing that shared measurement and learning accelerate results.
At FMI, we see our role as both a connector and a catalyst. We help bring industry stakeholders together, elevate effective practices and create opportunities for companies to learn from one another. That commitment is at the core of FMI’s ethos and extends beyond reports and pilots into how we operate our own industry events. Across FMI conferences and meetings, we work directly with each venue to donate surplus food to local food banks whenever possible. This approach keeps food out of landfills and supports communities where our events take place. It also demonstrates that food waste reduction is operational, measurable and achievable when it is built into planning from the start.
The 2025 U.S. Food Waste Pact Impact Report highlights the power of this kind of intentional action. The report details progress across retail and foodservice, including expanded food donation efforts and successful pilots focused on employee engagement, whole‑chain collaboration and low‑waste events. Together, these efforts show how aligning data, people and processes can reduce waste while strengthening business performance and community impact.
Food waste is not a challenge any single company or sector can solve alone. It requires trust, transparency and a willingness to learn from peers. FMI remains committed to supporting the U.S. Food Waste Pact and to helping our members turn insight into action.
Industry Topics address your specific area of expertise with resources, reports, events and more.
Our Research covers consumer behavior and retail operation benchmarks so you can make informed business decisions.
Events and Education including online and in-person help you advance your food retail career.
Food Safety training, resources and guidance that help you create a company food safety culture.
Government Affairs work — federal and state — on the latest food industry policy, regulatory and legislative issues.
Get Involved. From industry awards to newsletters and committees, these resources help you take advantage of your membership.
Best practices, guidance documents, infographics, signage and more for the food industry on the COVID-19 pandemic.
