Below is a brief anecdotal history of FISA presented with many thanks to FISA Life Member, Karl Girton, who was President of the FISA Board of Directors from 1974 to 1976. As volunteer FISA historian, Karl saved and compiled a comprehensive history of FISA including early correspondence, newsletters and descriptions of meetings. Without his diligence, the history of FISA would not have been preserved.
Late 1930
Dairy Supply Club formed to increase purchasing power through combined purchases
1944
Dairy Supply Club formally reorganized into the Dairy Suppliers Foundation and incorporated in New Jersey.
1968
DSF dissolved and formally reorganized as Food Industry Supply Association.
1969
First membership list includes 30 Distributors; some of whom are members today.
1970
Membership meeting held in Naples, FL.
1972
Executive Director Pete Weidenbruch dies and succeeded by Fred King.
1973
Association headquarters moved to Sedona, AZ.
1975
First Distributor/Manufacturer Conference held in Oconomowoc, WI.
1976
Fred King moves and headquarters relocated to Caldwell, ID.
1977
Manufacturers permitted to join Association as Associate Members.
1986
Fred King retires and replaced by Tom Watkins. Association headquarters moved to TN.
1993
Tom Watkins retires and replaced by Jenny Reibsome. Headquarters are in MI.
1995
Stella Jones hired as Executive Director and headquarters moved to Greensboro, NC.
1997
By-laws are changed to permit Manufacturers to be full members of FISA and serve on The FISA Board of Directors.
2019
Logo tagline changed to read “Promoting Distribution Hygienic Processing.