Foodservice Packaging Institute

What Foodservice Packaging Institute does

Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) is a 90+ year-old U.S. non-profit trade association founded in 1933 and headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, representing the North American foodservice packaging industry. FPI's membership covers approximately 90% of converters and suppliers in the sector, plus 200+ operators, distributors, and educational institutions, giving it near-universal industry representation. The organization is led by a four-person leadership team—President Natha Dempsey, Director of Sustainability & Outreach Ashley Elzinga, Director of Meetings & Operations Jennifer Goldman, and VP of Government Relations Carol Patterson—and operates as a community-led, membership-based association.

FPI's core offerings are membership services, bi-annual industry conferences, annual research publications (the State of the Industry Report, Annual Trends Report, and Consumer Survey), and a sourcing guide connecting buyers with member manufacturers. The association also operates a portfolio of specialized programs: the Foam Recycling Coalition (granting up to $50,000 per recipient to expand foam polystyrene recycling), the Paper Cup Alliance, the Paper Recovery Alliance, the Plastics Recovery Group, and the Community Partnership Program (30+ community partners since 2017). FPI additionally developed the FPI Rigidity Tester, a standardized testing device for foodservice packaging, manufactured by Peerless Machine & Tool Corporation.

FPI generates revenue through annual membership dues (undisclosed) and conference registration fees ($495-$1,095 depending on member tier and timing), with additional pass-through funding from external grants for the Foam Recycling Coalition. The organization actively engages on regulatory matters including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation in California and New York. Geographic focus is North America (USA and Canada), with recent expansion of recycling infrastructure into new states including Nebraska, South Carolina, Michigan, and North Carolina through 2025-2026 grant activity.

Name

Foodservice Packaging Institute

Legal name

Foodservice Packaging Institute

Website

https://fpi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) is a 90+ year-old U.S. non-profit trade association representing approximately 90% of converters and suppliers and 200+ operators, distributors, and educational institutions in the North American foodservice packaging industry, offering membership services, bi-annual conferences, research reports, and recycling infrastructure programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Trade Association

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Foodservice/To-Go Packaging (Cups, Clamshells, Cutlery) (IMALAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Packaging Recovery & Closed-Loop Programs (Take-Back, Deposit-Return, EPR Support) (IMALAMAF), Sustainability Testing, Certification & Compliance (LCA, Recyclability/Compostability Testing, FSC/PEFC) (IMALAMAK), Reusable Packaging & Container Return Programs (On-site) (BPABALAJ), Foodservice & Single-Use Plastic Packaging (Cups, Lids, Cutlery) Manufacturing (IMANAEAI)

Keywords

• Foodservice packaging association
• Industry trade advocacy
• Recycling programs
• Packaging sustainability
• Industry research reports

Headquarters

HQ city

Falls Church

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: FPI generates revenue through annual membership dues from converters, suppliers, and affiliates across the foodservice packaging industry. Membership provides access to industry reports, advocacy services, networking events, and recycling programs.
2. Conference Registration Fees: Bi-annual conferences (Spring and Fall) generate revenue through registration fees. Conference fees vary by membership status and timing, with Converter/Supplier Members paying $895-$1,095 and Operator/Distributor Members paying $495-$595.
3. External Grants: FPI receives external funding through programs like the Foam Recycling Coalition to provide grants to communities for expanding recycling infrastructure. These are pass-through funds rather than revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) is a nonprofit trade association representing approximately 90% of converters and suppliers and 200+ operators, distributors, and educational institutions in the North American foodservice packaging industry. It delivers value through membership services, government advocacy, industry research reports, bi-annual conferences, and recycling and sustainability programs including the Foam Recycling Coalition grants, Paper Cup Alliance, Paper Recovery Alliance, and Plastics Recovery Group.

Product overview

The Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) is a trade association for the North American foodservice packaging industry, operating for over 90 years. FPI serves as a membership organization representing approximately 90% of converters and suppliers and 200+ operators/distributors/educational institutions. The organization offers a membership program, hosts bi-annual conferences, publishes annual industry reports (Trends Report, State of the Industry Report, Consumer Survey), and operates specialized initiatives including the Foam Recycling Coalition grant program, Paper Recovery Alliance, Plastics Recovery Group, Paper Cup Alliance, and Community Partnership Program. FPI also provides a Sourcing Guide to connect establishments with manufacturers and developed the FPI Rigidity Tester for industry standardization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FPI Membership Program Annual membership program for foodservice packaging converters, suppliers, operators, distributors, and educational institutions, providing access to industry reports, advocacy, networking events, and recycling programs.
• FPI Bi-Annual Conferences Bi-annual Spring and Fall industry conferences for foodservice packaging manufacturers, suppliers, brands, and stakeholders featuring EPR sessions, industry panels, networking events, golf tournaments, and working group sessions. Registration fees range from $495 to $1,095 based on member type and timing.
• State of the Industry Report Annual comprehensive report on trends shaping the foodservice packaging industry, available to members with an executive summary for non-members.
• Annual Trends Report Annual trends report providing comprehensive analysis of trends shaping the foodservice packaging industry, surveying companies throughout the supply chain.
• Annual Consumer Survey Annual consumer perception survey providing insights into consumer behavior and preferences regarding foodservice packaging.
• Foam Recycling Coalition Grant Program Grant program offering up to $50,000 to facility operators, nonprofits, and solid waste authorities to establish or enhance foam polystyrene recycling infrastructure. No cash match is required from grant recipients.
• Sourcing Guide Resource and Request for Proposal (RFP) form that helps establishments connect with FPI member foodservice packaging manufacturers to find the right packaging at the right price.
• Paper Recovery Alliance (PRA) Working group focused on expanding recovery and recycling of paper-based foodservice packaging materials.
• Plastics Recovery Group (PRG) Working group focused on expanding recovery and recycling of plastic foodservice packaging materials.
• Paper Cup Alliance Alliance of paper cup manufacturers and industry partners working to expand recycling access for paper cups across North America.
• Community Partnership Program Program that works with communities, MRFs, and end markets to expand curbside recycling acceptance for foodservice packaging including paper cups and foam polystyrene.
• FPI Rigidity Tester Standardized testing device for measuring rigidity (resistance to bending and buckling) of single-use foodservice packaging products, manufactured by Peerless Machine & Tool Corporation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20% of U.S. population now has access to paper cup recycling programs, up from 5% in 2015-16
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Spartanburg CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Partnership to enable paper cup recycling for over 125,000 households in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. First FPI community partner in South Carolina and fourth in the Carolinas region.
• Paper Cup AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Joint initiative founded in 2018 to expand paper cup recycling. Founding members include Graphic Packaging International, Clearwater Paper, Dart Container, Huhtamaki, Novolex, Seda, Smurfit Westrock, and Sustana. The alliance has driven expansion of end markets for recycled paper cups from 4 in 2017 to 35 today.
• FPI Community Partnership ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Program launched in 2017 to work with communities to expand curbside recycling acceptance for paper cups. Has partnered with over 30 communities since inception, enabling 20% of U.S. population to have paper cup recycling access.
• Foam Recycling CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Coalition focused exclusively on increasing recycling of post-consumer foam polystyrene. Members include Americas Styrenics, Chick-fil-A, CKF Inc., Dart Container Corp., Dyne-A-Pak, Genpak, INEOS Styrolution America LLC, Novolex, and Republic Plastics. Has enabled over 14 million additional residents to recycle foam since 2015.
• Sonoco RecyclingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaterial recovery facility processing paper cups collected from Spartanburg County recycling programs. Paper is sent to Sonoco paper mill in Hartsville for conversion into new products.
• Pratt RecyclingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaterial recovery facility processing paper cups from Spartanburg County area.
• Kent County Department of Public WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner$50,000 grant recipient enabling foam polystyrene recycling for over 250,000 households in Kent County, Michigan and neighboring six counties. Grant funded purchase and installation of foam densifier.
• First Star RecyclingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner$25,000 grant recipient expanding EPS foam recycling access for over 400,000 residents in Omaha, Nebraska.
• City of Lincoln Solid Waste Management DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner$25,000 grant recipient expanding EPS foam recycling access for over 400,000 residents in Lincoln, Nebraska.
• Georgia-PacificcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor paper mill that accepts paper cups for recycling as part of expanded end market development. Contributed to polycoat separation technology investments enabling paper cup recycling.
• Resource Recycling SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerData compilation partner that compiled the data showing 20% of U.S. population now has access to paper cup recycling programs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Plastics Industry Association: Primary U.S. trade association for the plastics industry; FPI's President Natha Dempsey previously held positions here. Comparable as a membership-driven industry advocacy organization representing plastics manufacturers, including foodservice packaging producers.
• AMERIPEN: Packaging industry trade association focused on producer responsibility and packaging policy advocacy. Comparable to FPI in advocating for packaging manufacturers on EPR and recycling policy matters.

Others

• Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA): Professional association for solid waste management professionals. Comparable to FPI through its work with municipal recycling programs, foam densifier grants, and community partnership initiatives in the foodservice packaging recycling ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP): Professional association for individuals in the packaging industry. Comparable to FPI in providing education, networking, and professional resources to packaging industry participants.
• American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA): National trade association for the U.S. paper and forest products industry. Comparable to FPI as a membership-based advocacy organization for paper manufacturers, including paper cup and foodservice paper packaging producers.
• National Restaurant Association: Largest foodservice industry trade association representing restaurants and operators. Comparable as a membership organization serving the foodservice value chain, though focused downstream on operators rather than packaging manufacturers.
• PMMI (The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies): Trade association for packaging and processing equipment manufacturers. Comparable to FPI in representing packaging industry stakeholders through trade shows, education, and advocacy.

Emerging players

• Sustainable Packaging Coalition: Industry working group focused on sustainable packaging practices. Comparable to FPI in addressing packaging sustainability, recycling infrastructure, and member education, though broader across packaging categories.
• Reusable Packaging Association: Trade association focused on reusable packaging systems and return/reuse infrastructure. Adjacent to FPI's foodservice packaging mission, particularly relevant given FPI's reusable/return program initiatives.
• International Molded Fiber Association (IMFA): Global trade association for the molded fiber packaging industry. Comparable to FPI as a niche packaging trade association representing manufacturers of fiber-based foodservice packaging materials.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fpihq
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9VBt9J75Ed_-AnB0RscPbA
• Facebookfacebook.com/FoodservicePackagingInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foodservice-packaging-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/fpihq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Foodservice Packaging Institute