ARLINGTON, VA - The numbers continue to support that consumer desire is aligned with the fresh industry. The Food Industry Association’s (FMI’s) new "Food Industry Contributions to Health and Well-Being 2024" report gives insights from both retailers and product suppliers on implementing initiatives to support consumers’ health needs and priorities.

"Healthy eating has clearly become a priority for shoppers, and the grocery store continues to evolve as an accessible, community-based destination for health and well-being," said Krystal Register, MS, RDN, LDN, and Senior Director for Health and Well-Being for FMI. "This report illustrates that companies across the food industry are committed throughout their entire organizations to offer products and services to help families make positive food purchasing decisions and support them on their health and well-being journeys."

The survey, conducted in October 2023, details how path-to-purchase marketing, incentive programs, and personalized nutrition education solutions working with prescription programs and medically tailored nutrition are prevalent when it comes to increased awareness and interest in the Food is Medicine movement. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are also playing larger roles in developing and operationalizing health and well-being strategies, with retail numbers up on employing registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and medical doctors.

FMI’s Food Industry Contributions to Health and Well-Being 2024 report the organization shared, also revealed that, among companies responding to the survey:

• 90 percent include nutritional messaging as part of family meal promotions
• 78 percent are reformulating national and private brand products to reduce nutrients of concern like sodium and added sugars
• 67 percent of food retailers operate pharmacies
• 63 percent identify disease prevention and health promotion as a top area of focus for programming in the next two years
• 54 percent plan to partner with allied health organizations, like the American Heart Association
• 46 percent expect to partner with health insurance providers in the near future

The majority (82 percent) of responding food retail and supplier companies employ dietitians throughout their organizations; 71 percent have dietitians in place at the corporate level, integrated with company executives to drive strategic leadership, regulatory affairs, labeling, e-commerce and digital merchandising, and marketing and communications initiatives, according to FMI. The full report is available for purchase here, while further details can be read in the complete release here.

The consumer compass looks to clearly be pointed in the direction of wellness, health, and all the benefits fresh produce can provide!