Food companies face competitive challenges from changing consumer lifestyles, protecting and securing the food supply, new food and nutrition sciences, new electronic technologies, and mergers and consolidation. Through research projects that evaluate these changes and their impact on the food industry, The Food Industry Center (TFIC) works to develop leaders for tomorrow's food industry. It is a leading source of knowledge on how food reaches consumers efficiently and contributes to safe and healthy lives.

   TFIC has three strategic initiatives that guide its research. 1) Food Safety and Defense, 2) Healthy Foods; Healthy Business, 3) and Developing Food Industry Leaders for the Future. Major research projects are funded by the federal departments of NIH, USDA and DHS.

Research projects include Consumer Surveys about food terrorism and the food supply, a Benchmarking Supply Chain Survey on the defense practices of food companies, and The Supermarket Panel, a sample of several hundred retail food stores around the country that provides data on structure, practices, and performance. Projects on obesity and healthy school lunches are also part of the Center's research portfolio.

   The Food Industry Center collaborates with three professional boards that provide their expertise to the Center. The Board of Executives is comprised of senior executives of Sponsoring Member Companies; they provide executive level insight and financial support to the Center. The Program Leadership Board is a diverse group of food company professionals who provide advice about programs and projects for the Center's three strategic initiatives. Finally, the Academic Leadership Board provides academic guidance and expertise for research grants, graduate student research and strategic planning for the Center.

   The Center publishes working papers, journal articles, and talks extensively with media. It organizes several conferences/symposia each year to provide industry leaders from all sectors of the supply chain, government agencies and academics to discuss major issues confronting the food industry. Examples include conferences on disaster recovery, obesity challenges, ethical issues with new technologies, and new opportunities for innovation and career development.

   The Center draws upon the Department of Applied Economics, the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, and the Carlson School of Management for faculty and students to conduct research and maintain connections with industry leaders