Maximizing the Value of Academic Contributions
to the Food Industry through Collaboration
Historically, our nation’s colleges and universities have prepared students for productive careers in the retail food industry, and have provided industry executives with continuing education programs to enrich their skills and leadership. They have also conducted research aimed at bringing knowledge and perspective to the food industry.
In 2004, with guidance and support from the National Grocers Association, the University Food Industry Coalition (UFIC)was formed when representatives from 9 food and retailing industry university programs met. Today, the UFIC includes members from 13 university programs who meeting semi-annually to advance a collaborative agenda of industry focused academics and research. Its mission is to leverage the combined wealth of its member’s intellectual capital, strategic perspective and third party status to provide thought leadership for the food industry in dealing with its most challenging issues.
Roles of the University Food Industry Coalition include:
- Creating a forum where academic professionals involved in food industry programs can exchange ideas.
- Maintaining/Promoting academic standards.
- Advancing the collective intellectual capital of group.
- Promoting individual academic/research programs of member institutions to the food/retail industry.
- Promoting and advancing career opportunities for students of member institutions.
- Providing continuing education programs to the food/retail industry to advance disciplinary competency levels and cross industry competitiveness.
- Contributing to the industry knowledgebase and depth of academic disciplines related to the food supply chain.
- Partnering with the National Grocers Association in their initiatives, programs and strategic direction.
Membership in the University Food Industry Coalition is limited to programs of accredited academic institutions conducting research on topics related to the food/retail industry on an ongoing basis, and carries the following expectations for participation:
- At least on person from each program attend meetings regularly (at least annually).
- Collaboration on academic/research to advance coalition strategic initiatives.
- Providing opportunities to students for contact with/involvement in industry.
Anyone interested in more information on the University Food Industry Coalition can contact Dennis Degeneffe at The Food Industry Center.
