History

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

Late 1930

1944

Dairy Supply Club formally reorganized into the Dairy Suppliers Foundation and incorporated in New Jersey.

1944

1968

DSF dissolved and formally reorganized as Food Industry Supply Association.

1968

1969

First membership list includes 30 Distributors; some of whom are members today.

1969

1970

Membership meeting held in Naples, FL.

1970

1972

Executive Director Pete Weidenbruch dies and succeeded by Fred King.

1972

1973

Association headquarters moved to Sedona, AZ.

1973

1975

First Distributor/Manufacturer Conference held in Oconomowoc, WI.

1975

1976

Fred King moves and headquarters relocated to Caldwell, ID.

1976

1977

Manufacturers permitted to join Association as Associate Members.

1977

1986

Fred King retires and replaced by Tom Watkins. Association headquarters moved to TN.

1986

1993

Tom Watkins retires and replaced by Jenny Reibsome. Headquarters are in MI.

1993

1995

Stella Jones hired as Executive Director and headquarters moved to Greensboro, NC.

1995

1997

By-laws are changed to permit Manufacturers to be full members of FISA and serve on The FISA Board of Directors.

1997

2019

Logo tagline changed to read “Promoting Distribution Hygienic Processing.

2019
To see a list of Conference locations since 2008, click here.
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