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.
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Build your Team!
Start building your team for the 2025 Student Food Marketing Challenge! #SquadGoals
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Get ready for the 2025 Conference
Stay tuned for more information about our 2025 conference!
A Message From Our President Dr. Samuel D. Zapata
Dear Members and Friends of FDRS,
As the current president, I would like to welcome you to the Food Distribution Research Society (FDRS). If you are already a member, we are grateful for your contributions to advancing the understanding of challenges and opportunities related to the production, processing, distribution, marketing, and consumption of food products. If you are not yet a member, I encourage you to join our vibrant and multidisciplinary society.
For over 56 years, through strong collaboration among academia, industry, and government, FDRS has been at the forefront of innovation in the food sector. A future marked by environmental, resource, political, economic, social, and technological uncertainties requires us to work together to adapt to adverse conditions and seize new opportunities. The diverse skills and expertise of our members will be in high demand to address complex issues such as evolving food policies, rising production costs, depleting resources, new trade regulations, supply chain challenges, and shifting consumer preferences.
At our recent annual conference in San Diego, California, we witnessed the richness of relevant food-related topics presented by faculty, students, and industry partners. Our conference continues to serve as a platform for generating new ideas and addressing emerging issues with direct implications for the long-term sustainability of our food system. None of this would be possible without the dedicated leadership of our board of officers and directors. Their countless hours of planning make our annual conference (and our society) a reality. Please join me in thanking them for their selfless service.
My role as president is to continue strengthening the noble and unique mission of FDRS: fostering the growth and sustainability of the food industry. Do not hesitate to reach out if I or our society can be of assistance.
I encourage you to take advantage of the many professional and academic opportunities FDRS offers, including attending our next annual conference, publishing in our academic journal, participating in the Student Food Marketing Challenge, applying for scholarships and service awards, and engaging in limitless networking opportunities.
I wish you a productive year ahead. Your dedication and passion make our world brighter!
FDRS Food Marketing Challenge Student Reviews
See what students have to say about their Food Marketing Challenge experience at the annual FDRS Conference.
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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 classroomThe 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 programParticipating 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 yearThe 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 ideasFDRS 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 eventsCollaborating 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
