<p>By: Laura Judy, Manager, Web & Digital Communications, FMI</p><a class="-align-right" style="float:right;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:10px;" href="https://www.fmi.org/get-involved/community-uplift/nominees"><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/community-awards-nomination-images/cua-nominees-eat-a-rainbow.tmb-large-350-.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=a8de4945_1" style="float:right;" alt="Community Uplift Awards" sf-size="100" /></a><p>One of my valued principles is to "pay it forward," an act of performing good deeds for others without expecting anything in return. The concept is ancient, but the phrase gained popularity in 2000 based on a movie of the same name about a boy who comes up with the idea of paying forward acts of kindness to others. The impact of spreading kindness and positivity can extend far beyond the initial recipient. Each person who benefits from a good deed may, in turn, pay it forward to others, creating a ripple effect of positive actions resulting in more compassionate and caring communities. </p><p>Being new to the food industry, I’m delighted to see a focus on values of sustainability, health and well-being, education and social impact. It is also amazing to see so many different companies paying it forward in their local communities. </p><p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/get-involved/community-uplift">FMI’s Community Uplift Awards</a> annually recognizes the good work the food industry does to uplift their local communities addressing important topics like food insecurity, diversity and more.
</p><div style="width:80%;margin:1.5em auto;background-color:#f7f7f7;padding:1.5em 2.0em;"><p><strong>This year’s award criteria categories are:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Social Impact:</strong> focusing on diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI), supplier diversity, food waste reduction, responsible sourcing, package waste reduction, animal welfare, water use or carbon emissions reduction.</li><li><strong>Food Insecurity:</strong> including food drives, food bank donations and commitments to increase access to fresh food in underserved areas.</li><li><strong>Neighborhood Health Improvement:</strong> such as nutrition education, blood drives, health related runs/walks, sustainability education and community involvement.</li></ul></div><p>The 18 <a href="https://www.fmi.org/get-involved/community-uplift/nominees">nominations</a> we received this year are committed to giving back to the communities they serve in meaningful ways such as partnering with food banks and other community organizations. They provide food access programs, emergency relief, education and resources. They empower diversity and inclusion, host fun family activities and help reduce food waste. Simply put, they are greatly enriching and positively impacting their communities and are certainly paying it forward. </p><p>This year we are pleased to welcome <a href="https://www.theshelbyreport.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Shelby Report</em></a> as a strategic partner to the Community Uplift Awards program. They will advise on the awards process, serve on a panel of judges and amplify the stories of the 2023 recipients. Winners will be announced in the coming weeks when FMI pays it forward to our valued retailers and suppliers. </p><p>For now, I urge you to take time to read about the creative and innovative ways the food industry is paying it forward. The stories of our Community Uplift Award 2023 nominees are sure to inspire. </p><p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/get-involved/community-uplift/nominees" class="button">See the 2023 Nominee Stories</a></p>
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