Student Experience at the Annual FMI Midwinter Conference

On January 21st, one of our lab members, Shirel Ponnudurai, headed to San Diego for the Food Industry Association’s Midwinter Conference. This annual gathering brings together industry leaders from all along the supply chain, including food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Shirel was one of four students nationwide to participate as a FMI Foundation Midwinter Student Scholar.

Over the course of the conference, there were keynote speeches, panel discussions, and lots of time for casual networking with the brightest minds in the food industry. Not only were there opportunities to learn about the latest trends in the food industry among both consumers and producers, but also the chance to hear experts discuss various solutions and innovative ways to move forward.

Reflecting back on her experience, Shirel said “It was a really enjoyable conference, and I am grateful to have had this opportunity. Not only did my time at the conference provide me with valuable professional development experiences, but it also inspired me regarding the different careers of the food industry I would love to pursue in the future.”

Dr. Vincenzina Caputo, Professor and Homer Nowlin Endowed Chair in Consumer and Food Economics and Director of the Food Choice & Policy Lab at Michigan State University, emphasized the importance of these opportunities for student development. She noted that “our collaboration with FMI has been instrumental in strengthening both the research and educational programs of our lab. Opportunities such as the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference allow students to connect academic training with real-world industry challenges while building professional networks early in their careers.”  

Read more about Shirel’s experience here: MSU News