Phil Kafarakis, President and CEO of the Food Away from Home Association, shares insights from his extensive food industry career. He discusses the strategic rebranding of IFMA, emphasizing its mission to enhance collaboration in food service. Kafarakis reflects on the resilience required post-COVID-19 and introduces the ambitious 'Level Up 2027' plan to reposition the association as an industry leader. He also highlights crucial lessons from McDonald's in managing food safety, particularly during outbreaks, showcasing the need for adaptability and effective communication.
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IFMA Rebranding
IFMA rebranded to reflect a broader food away from home ecosystem.
This change includes expanded membership and content for various industry segments.
insights INSIGHT
Resilience and Persistence
Resilience is the ability to adapt and recover from setbacks, learning from the feedback.
Persistence involves continuous leveraging of learned lessons while maintaining focus on goals.
insights INSIGHT
IFMA's Level Up Plan
IFMA's Level Up 2027 plan empowers, nurtures, and connects the food away from home ecosystem.
It offers tiered memberships with tailored benefits and programming for diverse industry segments.
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Phil Kafarakis is the President and CEO of IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, formerly known as the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association. He is responsible for overseeing IFMA's day-to-day operations and directing the activities of the association in support of its policies, goals, and objectives. Phil is a highly accomplished senior executive with broad experience leading major food industry companies and associations. He began his industry career in the manufacturing sector, successfully leading and managing businesses at Kraft, Jones Dairy Farm, Cargill, and McCormick & Co., where he also served on IFMA's Board of Directors. He also previously served as President of the Specialty Food Association (SFA) and as the Chief Innovation and Member Advancement Officer at the National Restaurant Association (NRA).
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Phil [21:13] about:
The decision to rebrand the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association as IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, and how the new branding reflects IFMA’s strategy and mission
What resilience and persistence means in the foodservice industry after the COVID-19 pandemic
How the "Level Up 2027: A Path Forward for IFMA” strategic plan will help reposition IFMA as a leader for the foodservice industry and enhance value for its members
Lessons that quick-service food establishments can learn from how McDonald’s handled the autumn 2024 multistate Escherichia coli outbreak linked to onions supplied to its restaurants by Taylor Farms
Ways in which IFMA reinforces the importance of food safety and sanitation to its members through collaboration with industry peers along the foodservice supply chain
Actions that the foodservice industry should take to ensure compliance with the Food Traceability Final Rule, and how collaboration with regulators plays a role
The need for hands-on food safety and traceability training for those working in the foodservice sector
Potential impacts of regulatory policies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) “healthy” designation and the Food Traceability Final Rule.
Food Safety Matters