WASHINGTON — The FMI Supplier Development Committee emphasized the increasing role of artificial intelligence in fostering inclusive supply chains and enhancing operational efficiency during its recent annual retreat, held last week with leaders from 11 member companies.
The meeting concentrated on how AI integration is transforming supplier development by streamlining processes, improving data-driven decision-making, and enhancing daily collaboration. Committee members shared examples of measurable efficiency improvements achieved through AI-enabled tools, highlighting the technology’s growing impact on supplier diversity and development strategies across the food industry.
Supplier development is essential to helping retailers and wholesalers showcase the diversity of their consumer base while adapting to changing marketplace demands. The FMI Supplier Development Committee consists of professionals who assess supplier certifications and support businesses in meeting industry and consumer needs.
Discussions centered on three primary areas where AI is delivering value:
- Driving efficiency across internal processes
- Enhancing data insights to support smarter decisions
- Improving daily workflows and collaboration
The retreat also featured insights from two guest speakers. Justin Nelson, president of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), stressed the importance of collaboration and maintaining consistent standards in supplier certification. Nelson highlighted a new joint initiative with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
“The SME (Small-Medium Enterprise) Certification Collaborative aims to establish and promote a unified set of standards for SME certification—ensuring consistency, transparency, and quality across the certification ecosystem,” Nelson said.
David Fikes, executive director of the FMI Foundation and leader of the FMI Work Culture Council, discussed how FMI research can support supplier development efforts. He referenced data from The Food Retailing Industry Speaks report to illustrate benchmarks relevant to supplier engagement and development.
The committee wrapped up the retreat by establishing key goals for 2026, including aligning FMI imperative issues with committee priorities, enhancing knowledge sharing and content integration, and expanding industry impact through supplier development initiatives.
With these objectives in mind, the FMI Supplier Development Committee seeks to continue guiding industry efforts to foster innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth throughout the food supply chain.
