ARLINGTON, Va. — The Food Industry Association (FMI) said Monday that four regional grocery distributors — Affiliated Foods, AG Northeast, Certco, and Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distribution Company — have joined the trade group through its affiliation with the Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates (ROFDA), the latest step in an effort to tighten ties between wholesalers and the independent grocers they supply.
The new members join six ROFDA distributors already affiliated with FMI: Associated Food Stores, Associated Grocers (LA), Associated Wholesale Grocers, Brookshire Bros. and URM Stores.
The expansion comes as FMI has been working with wholesale leaders on what it describes as five strategies to improve transparency, collaborative planning, manufacturer return on investment, product innovation and technology investment across the grocery supply chain. Independent operators, who make up nearly 60% of FMI's membership, have a direct stake in the outcome.
"Independent operators represent nearly 60% of our membership base, and their success depends on strong partnerships throughout the supply chain," said Leslie G. Sarasin, FMI's president and CEO. "As we examined leading wholesale models across multiple industries, one theme was clear: the most successful wholesalers go beyond distribution to become strategic growth partners. They work alongside retailers to align investments, share insights, leverage technology and create mutual value."
ROFDA President and CEO Mark Deuschle framed the move as a response to mounting pressure on independent grocers. "The challenges and opportunities facing independent operators today require stronger industry alignment than ever before," he said. "By joining FMI, ROFDA's members are expanding their ability to connect around common goals — from improving supply chain visibility and planning to accelerating innovation and technology adoption."
Amy Niemetscheck, president and CEO of Certco and chair of ROFDA's board, said the group's members see broader engagement with FMI as a way to strengthen their individual organizations. "Greater industry engagement and collaboration are essential to helping independent retailers remain competitive and relevant," she said, adding that closer ties to FMI give members access to "broader industry perspectives, resources and relationships."
The announcement follows the recent release of a joint report, The Whole Picture: What's Next for Wholesalers and Their Retailer and Manufacturer Partners, produced by FMI with The Dialogic Group, Oliver Wyman and Dunnhumby. The report draws on nine months of research and interviews with more than 120 wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers and technology providers, and outlines opportunities to strengthen performance and partnership across the wholesale value chain.
FMI represents the food industry across the value chain, from retailers to producers and service providers, with a stated focus on supporting a competitive, viable independent retail sector.
