Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the Food Distribution Research Society.

Today, the food distribution system is adapting to unprecedented influences that include sustainability, labeling, changing consumer perceptions, and efficiency to name a few. I welcome you in joining the society’s efforts to address the numerous issues that impact food distribution today and to identify the emerging challenges of tomorrow. 

On behalf of the officers and directors of FDRS, I invite you to join us this year in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 13-17, 2012 for our annual meeting.  Our program theme is "Diverse and Emerging Market and Supply Chain Challenges".  Following this over-arching goal the conference will feature four topic-focused sessions.  Our outlined sessions are:

•Sustainability in Food Distribution (Session 1)

•Food Security (Session 2)

•Ethnic Food Marketing (Session 3)

•Fair Trade (Session 4)

A special thank you is extended for Jorge A. Gonzalez-Soto and his colleagues at University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez for their dedicated assistance to the program’s development. 

My FDRS story is familiar among those who have attended these conferences.  At my first FDRS conference in 2003, I discovered a place where academia, industry, and government come together in a lively forum discussing the most current challenges to food marketing and distribution. Other forums exist, but FDRS thrives on offering a welcoming environment regardless of geographic location, academic reputation, or formal training.  The society’s environment provides engagement in a manner that builds lasting relationships that grow into formal collaborations.

The officers and directors of FDRS continue to seek ways to enhance the value of your membership.  We hope that the society has continued to be worth your investment of time and dollars.  FDRS strives to maintain a tradition of great conferences, a unique Journal, and support of education through the Applebaum Memorial Fund. I welcome your ideas on ways to enhance the society and encourage you to get involved in FDRS by simply dropping me a line.  

We hope to see you in Puerto Rico!

Regards,

Ron Rainey, President

Dr. Ronald L. Rainey

Associate Professor

University of Arkansas

2301 South University Ave.

Little Rock, AR  72204

rrainey@uaex.edu