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2 more big names bail on GMA
Story Date: 12/18/2017
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Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 12/15/17
The exodus from the Grocery Manufacturers Association continues: Tyson Foods and Unilever are not renewing their membership, Pro Ag's Helena Bottemiller Evich has learned.
At least six major food companies have now broken with the association as it struggles to navigate deep disagreements within the industry over how to respond to rapidly changing consumer tastes. POLITICO first reported on the internal strife last month. Others who have parted ways with GMA include several food giants that own extensive consumer brands like Campbell Soup Co., Nestlé, Dean Foods and Mars.
Mum's the word: Neither Tyson or Unilever delved too deeply into their reeasons for leaving the association.
- Unilever, which makes a wide variety of products ranging from Ben & Jerry's ice cream to Axe body spray, said: "We review and assess our trade association memberships each year and decided not to renew our membership in 2018 as we increase our focus on advocacy aligned with delivering our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan." (That plan includes corporate goals for reducing water and greenhouse gas emissions. It also commits to making Unilever's products healthier, such as by cutting back on salt, sugar and trans fat.)
- Tyson Foods also confirmed it is leaving GMA, but also didn't say much: " While we respect the work of the organization, our company is moving toward a more global discussion about the future of food."
GMA is working on it: Roger Lowe, executive vice president of strategic communication at GMA, said the association was working to "build the new GMA for the future to meet the needs of long-time and new member companies and of consumers."
He acknowledged the huge shake-ups in consumer preferences, such as the demand for information about the products they buy and the way they buy them. "The food industry is facing significant disruption and is evolving - and so is GMA," he added. "We all will continue to evolve and change at an even faster pace. We are always sorry when a member company decides to leave, and hope to work with them on issues of mutual interest in the future."
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