Committees
About Committees
IFDA supports a number of committees that provide thought leadership on issues of critical importance to our foodservice distributor members and to the foodservice industry in general.
Members of committees are volunteers with expertise in the stated mission area. In an ongoing process, the groups identify issues that are priorities to IFDA members and develop appropriate work products that can provide insights to the broader IFDA membership. Participation provides a number of benefits including interaction with other leaders in your discipline area and hearing from experts such as IFDA legal counsel.
Food Safety Leadership Committee
Human Resources Leadership Committee
Safety & Risk Management Committee
Food Safety Leadership Committee
Committee Mission:
The committee advises IFDA on matters related to food safety and provides a forum for members to share insights and best practices. It is responsible for identifying industry food safety issues and developing resources to assist IFDA member companies and enhance food safety practices. Committee members are quality assurance and regulatory compliance experts from member companies.
Human Resources Leadership Committee
The Human Resources Leadership Committee serves as the primary advisory board to assist IFDA in identifying critical industry needs in attracting, training, and retaining a strong workforce. It works with IFDA to develop industry solutions designed to address these issues and provides a forum to share information and collaborate with human resource leaders. The committee also identifies topics for industry meetings and other educational or research opportunities. It meets twice a year and communicates among members frequently.
Safety & Risk Management Committee
Committee Mission:
Provide an active forum in all areas of Safety and Risk Management for IFDA members by sharing expertise, participating in online and face-to-face discussions and mentoring those that are new to the field; review and set common KPIs and benchmarking metrics; lead the membership in advocating and promoting safe and effective methods and tools in all aspects of foodservice distribution operations.
The IFDA Safety & Risk Management Committee functions primarily as a peer-learning and networking group. It also advises IFDA on ad hoc topics that may pop up in the safety/risk space. The committee typically meets once a year in person for a full meeting, as well as an abbreviated meeting in conjunction with IFDA’s Solutions Conference in September. In addition, it meets via video-conference in between.
Requirements for individuals to join the committee is to be employed by a foodservice distribution company that’s an IFDA member and job responsibilities include safety and risk management.
SMart Planning Council
Council Mission: The SMart Planning Council serves as the advisory body for IFDA’s SMart Conference, providing guidance on conference content, format, and speakers. Comprised of a diverse cross-section of IFDA member companies, the council ensures the conference addresses current industry challenges and emerging trends facing the sales and marketing functions within the foodservice distribution sector. Council members collaborate to develop programming that delivers maximum value to attendees and creates meaningful networking opportunities.
The council meets regularly throughout the year to evaluate previous conference feedback, identify key industry topics, and shape the overall conference experience. Members are selected for their industry expertise and commitment to advancing professional development within the foodservice distribution community.
Solutions Planning Council
Council Mission: The Solutions Planning Council guides the development and execution of IFDA’s Solutions Conference, focusing on delivering practical, actionable content for the industry. Drawing from a diverse representation of IFDA member companies, the council identifies critical industry challenges and opportunities that should be addressed through conference programming.
The council works collaboratively to curate relevant speakers, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities that provide attendees with valuable insights and applicable solutions. Meeting throughout the year, council members evaluate industry trends, previous conference metrics, and member feedback to continuously improve the conference experience. Participation in the council offers members the opportunity to shape industry conversations and contribute to the advancement of the foodservice distribution sector.