FMI Statement on Financial Rescue Package

Arlington, VA — October 3, 2008 — Tim Hammonds, president and CEO of the Food Marketing Institute, issued this statement after President Bush signed the economic rescue package into law this afternoon.

“FMI congratulates all those who worked so hard to pass the financial rescue package today and the President who signed it so quickly. This was absolutely necessary to prevent our financial institutions from grinding to a halt. Every business, large and small, in communities all across America were seeing lines of credit dry up and their costs of borrowing begin to spiral out of control. These businesses and the consumers they serve can breathe a welcome sigh of relief thanks to this big step toward restoring confidence in our financial institutions.”

About FMI

As the food industry association, FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier and more efficient consumer food supply chain. FMI brings together a wide range of members across the value chain — from retailers that sell to consumers, to producers that supply food and other products, as well as the wide variety of companies providing critical services — to amplify the collective work of the industry. www.FMI.org