FMI—The Food Industry Association and The Seam, a provider of commodities trading and agriculture software solutions, announced the launch of the Food Industry Exchange sponsored by FMI powered by The Seam. The sustainable marketplace was created to immediately address the urgent needs of retailers and wholesalers by showcasing products and services available in a digital space.
 
The primary purpose of the platform is to bring vast efficiencies to the food supply chain, while also serving as a critical tool in times of need. Retailers requiring additional resources to fulfill needs at grocery stores, are connected with sellers that have capacity of products, transportation services, labor, and warehousing services.
 
Not only specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, the platform also fills long-term needs of FMI retailers/wholesalers for product discovery and procurement now, in future times of disruption and in good, blue-sky days.
 
"The tool ensures the food supply chain remains safe and efficient," said Mark W. Baum, chief collaboration officer and senior vice president, industry relations at FMI. "The new effort will make the process of connecting FMI and related product suppliers with capacity, and FMI member companies in need of assistance, quick and more precise through a digitized system. This allows us to assist our FMI food retailers and wholesalers fulfill needs at grocery stores, which are experiencing skyrocketing demand, and at the same time, assist our product supplier members in creating new relationships and providing their needs."
 
The Food Industry Exchange sponsored by FMI powered by The Seam allows sellers to display availability of products (such as fresh meat, masks, labor services, transportation services and traditional foodservice products) available during this pandemic crisis, while taking advantage of the ability to support any disruptions in the supply chain for retailers and provide alternative solutions (including categories such as frozen foods, cereal and beverages).
 
The new buyer-seller platform connects suppliers/wholesalers with retailers, and vice versa, with a secure, verified and subscription-based platform. Added assurance will be provided through online credential display, such as PACA licensing, certifications and more.
 
"As the current world pandemic increases the demand to provide access to suppliers who have capacity for products and services, retailers/wholesalers are challenged with keeping store shelves stocked with essential consumer goods," said Mark Pryor, chief executive officer at The Seam. "Technology drives efficiencies and fuels markets and connecting suppliers with buyers is what we do best at The Seam. We are honored to collaborate with FMI to develop this real-time exchange that will digitize and interconnect a geographically dispersed supply chain."
 
To learn more, please visit foodindustryexchange.com. If you are interested in becoming an affiliate sponsor, contact sponsors@foodindustryexchange.com.