With over 30 years in the specialty food and grocery industry, our insights and connections can help your entry into the $207 billion specialty food business in the U.S.
Ron is a former executive team member of the Specialty Food Association, the leading trade association for the $207-billion specialty food and beverage industry. Ron worked for the SFA and its 3,900+ members from 1987 – 2020, helping them understand and succeed in the specialty food business. His responsibilities included education, content, marketing, public relations, industry relations, awards, government relations and philanthropy. His last role after a 33-year career with the trade group was Vice President, Education, Content and Advocacy.
Ron served as the SFA’s liaison with numerous trade associations, university food programs, food incubators and government agencies. He has been a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) since 2007, and also served on the Steering Committee of the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA).
Ron is a frequent speaker on the U.S. specialty food market and food trends and has presented at key national and international industry conferences and events, including FoodEx Japan, Anuga, CIBUS, the Fancy Food Shows, SIAL Americas, the American Craft Spirits Conference, the American Cheese Society Conference, the National Grocers Association Show and more.
Tanner has worked with government agencies and international companies to help them build a presence in the U.S., at the Specialty Food Association and through Tanner Food Group. He has a wealth of industry contacts due to his management of the Association’s committees and councils, including the Distributor Committee, Retailer Network and Broker Council. Tanner Food Group has worked with companies from Chile, Cambodia, Spain, South Korea, Egypt and Morocco to help them start and build a business in the U.S.
The specialty food industry is complex. Through his work with the Specialty Food Association and its program, Basics: The Business of Specialty Food, Tanner prepared thousands of companies to create their business strategy and plan. He continues to prepare international and domestic companies for the U.S. market through one-on-one consultations, in-person and virtual presentations.
As the spokesperson for the Specialty Food Association, Tanner has appeared on CNN, The Today Show, CBS-New York, National Public Radio and other broadcast networks. He has also been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today. He has developed hundreds of journalist and influencer contacts and can help you get the word out about your company and products.
Tanner knows how associations work and the importance of volunteer-driven committees. He currently serves on the Board of the International Association of Culinary Professionals and the Good Food Foundation, is the Chair of the American Cheese Society’s Food Safety & Regulatory, is a member of USDA’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee, the UC Davis Food Science & Technology Leadership Board, and the Conference Working Group of the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance. He is also an Ambassador for Rutger’s University Food Innovation Center.
Tanner managed the government relations of the Specialty Food Association, which primarily involved working with the FDA, USDA, and U.S. Trade Representative. He has written 20-plus positioning statements, on labeling, food safety, tariffs and international trade.
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