We are the Food Distribution Research Society, Inc.

In these changing times, it is critical that academia, government, and industry continue to work together in food distribution to foster the industry growth. Food Distribution Research Society (FDRS) is the only body of scholars and practitioners in the United States dedicated to the study, monitoring and sharing of knowledge about the dramatic changes that are taking place in the global food system.

Dear Members and Friends of FDRS,

It is an honor to serve as President of the Food Distribution Research Society. I extend a warm welcome to our long-time members, new members, and visitors to our website. FDRS plays a vital role in advancing knowledge and education within the food distribution sector. By fostering collaboration, facilitating research dissemination, and promoting professional development, we contribute to a more efficient and sustainable food system.

It is with great humility that I express my effervescent gratitude for the successful Food Distribution Research Society (FDRS) Annual Conference in Puerto Rico. The location, the programs, the organization, and all logistics were superbly executed, thanks to the leadership of our outgoing President, Dr. Alba J. Collart, Clemson University, and our dynamic VP of Logistics & Outreach, Dr. Rodney Holcomb, Oklahoma State University. I would also like to seize this opportunity to briefly discuss my vision for the next 12 months, which might help shape the future direction of the Organization with your assistance, contributions, and support.

Our primary focus will be to expand our membership base and diversify our areas of expertise. I encourage each member to actively recruit colleagues and students, extending our reach within academia and the food industry. Let's broaden our scope to encompass emerging areas of importance, such as rural economic development, organic agriculture, and environmental sustainability within the food chain. This will enrich our discussions and ensure that FDRS remains at the forefront of cutting-edge research. To further enhance our global perspective, we will actively seek to increase international membership by exploring options for reduced fees and promoting opportunities for collaboration, such as our virtual student marketing competition spearheaded by Dr. Ariana Torres.

Strengthening member support is another key priority. We will actively pursue sponsorships and implement transparent guidelines for allocating funds to support valuable programs like travel scholarships for student award winners. By investing in our members, we invest in the future of food distribution research.

Finally, we are committed to increasing the volume and impact of our publications. We will streamline the review process, encouraging timely feedback from reviewers and promoting active participation from all members. While maintaining academic rigor, we will actively solicit manuscripts with practical applications and industry relevance. We will also strive to make our research findings accessible and understandable to a broader audience, including stakeholders across the food industry.

I am confident that by working together, we can make this a productive and rewarding year for FDRS. Your dedication and support are crucial to achieving our shared goals. I look forward to collaborating with you all to advance the field of food distribution research.

I look forward to hearing from you and hope you will join us!

Collaborating with a team to solve real marketing problems for a client was one of the most rewarding parts of participating in FDRS.

Collaborating with a team to solve real marketing problems

The FDRS case study competition allowed me to showcase all of the information that I had learned in my classes, while enhancing my understanding of numerous concepts. Being a member of the UK team helped me to grow my professional network, gain experience in solving complex issues, and learn how to work with a team. I can say with full confidence that the FDRS case study competition is the most beneficial academic program I participated in while attending the University of Kentucky.

The FDRS case study competition is the most beneficial academic program

FDRS was one of the most rewarding academic events we could have participated in! Our team was able to use the information we learned in the classroom and apply it to the challenges at hand. Each of our teammates brought forward strengths that we learned inside and outside of the classroom at CSU. FDRS allowed us to build on and learn new skills that will help us going into our future careers-that may be with FDRS members and organizations!

FDRS was one of the most rewarding academic events

FDRS allowed me to step outside of the classroom and work with my fellow students to create something useful for our client. It tested our time management and collaboration skills and was a great opportunity to showcase all the knowledge we gained in class.

FDRS allowed me to step outside of the classroom

Participating in the FDRS case study competition was the highlight of my Senior year. Having a chance to meet students from colleges across the country with similar degree aspirations and interests was a neat experience. The FDRS society did a great job in planning out several field trips for all of the students and staff, making the trip unique to the locale to provide a hands on and visual learning opportunity. On top of that the event incorporates critical thinking, problem solving skills, and presenting in front of an audience, all of which are all crucial skills for life beyond being an undergraduate. The competition also provides something interesting and recent to talk about with future potential employers during interviews after graduation. Overall, participating in the FDRS case study competition was a very positive experience and I would recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to everyone.

The FDRS case study competition was the highlight of my Senior year

The Food Distribution Society Competition was a great experience. We met and hung out with students from other universities and we networked with a few industry professionals who talked with us on an equals instead of feeling like it was a job interview the whole conversation. The competition made us think quick on our feet and create out of the box marketing ideas.

The competition made us create out of the box marketing ideas

We are the Food Distribution Research Society, Inc.

The FDRS Annual Conference

Build your Team!

Get ready for the 2025 Conference

A Message From Our President Esendugue Greg Fonsah

FDRS Food Marketing Challenge Student Reviews

See what students have to say about their Food Marketing Challenge experience at the annual FDRS Conference.
(Swipe left for more reviews.)

We are the Food Distribution Research Society, Inc.

The FDRS Annual Conference

Build your Team!

Get ready for the 2025 Conference

A Message From Our President Esendugue Greg Fonsah

FDRS Food Marketing Challenge Student Reviews

See what students have to say about their Food Marketing Challenge experience at the annual FDRS Conference.(Swipe left for more reviews.)

See what students have to say about their Food Marketing Challenge experience at the annual FDRS Conference.
(Swipe left for more reviews.)