The Food Marketing Institute (or FMI) is an organization that conducts food safety, public affairs, education, research, and industry relations programs for food retailers and wholesalers. FMI's membership consists of approximately 1,500 companies in 50 countries, ranging from large multi-chain stores to independent supermarkets. In the U.S., FMI members operate some 26,000 retail food stores and 14,000 pharmacies and account for about three quarters of all domestic retail food sales.
FMI's stated mission is to develop and promote policies and programs that benefit its members (and their customers) in the areas of government relations and advocacy, food safety, consumer protection, research, education and industry cooperation. FMI also conducts conventions, most notably the FMI Show, an annual product exhibition and educational conference, and Future Connect, an industry leadership program, held in May, in rotating years.
FMI's associate members include the supplier partners of its retail and wholesale members. FMI currently sits on the advisory board for International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI).
FMI is based in Arlington, Virginia, with a government affairs office in Washington, D.C. and field offices in Libertyville, Illinois and Moab, Utah.
FMI made $406,277 in contributions in the 2008 election cycle.