Food Group’s New Online Community Gives Leg Up to New Brands

A major grocery-industry trade group is giving a boost to the next generation of food innovators.

On Wednesday, the Food Marketing Institute announced the launch of a new online community called Emerge  (opens in a new tab), which will give emerging suppliers focused on food and beverages a place to learn, communicate, and find mentors and funding opportunities. It also offers an assessment tool  (opens in a new tab) to help those companies get a handle on what they’re doing right and what more they can do to get their products on more grocery store shelves.

The subscription-based community also provides an opportunity for industry experts, investors, and retailers to get involved.

FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin noted in a news release  (opens in a new tab) that the Emerge community will help the association’s emerging retail members “become better equipped to meet increased consumer demand for products focused on a variety of attributes, such as local sourcing, health and wellness, [and] artisanal and global cuisine.”

FMI is charging $999 for an annual subscription to Emerge, and $1,495 for a two years.

Beyond giving smaller-scale members a leg up, Emerge could help all FMI members keep on top of trends in the retail space, including consumer interest in natural and sustainable foods.

“Food retail connects the consumer with the supplier,” Sarasin added. “Shoppers are demanding new sensory experiences, and the health of our industry depends on our ability to satisfy consumers’ desire for new tastes by providing exciting new products.”

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