In its dedication toward serving the food industry and its communities, the Western Association of Food Chains' mission involves two major objectives:

Plans & Objectives
Education is the primary mission of the Western Association of Food Chains. Whether it be sharing ideas, problems, and solutions at the annual convention, or more formally, by supporting the Food Industry Management Program at the University of Southern California, the Western States Scholarship Program, or WAFC-formatted curriculum at the community college level, education is WAFC's primary mission.

In order to carry out WAFC's primary mission, initiatives have been established in four specific categories of education:

Universities, State and Local Community Colleges

• Continue to maintain a broad-based educational program for mid-level managers in the food industry by supporting the USC Food Industry Management Program that includes scholarships for accepted students and is structured such that students have the ability to work part-time while in school.
• Continue the WAFC Food Industry Executive one-week educational program with attendees selected by WAFC members providing graduation certificates signed by WAFC Board Members.
• Assist in the establishment of a food industry endorsed Retail Management Certificate that can be offered at multiple community college campuses throughout the WAFC membership states, thereby providing the vast majority of food industry employees with greater access to a consistent Retail Management curriculum. Offer participating colleges support in the form of industry member instructors, guest speakers, retail advisory board members, internal marketing to recruit students, etc.
• All of the above to have handled in conjunction with a WAFC Educational Trust Fund.

Annual Conventions

• Convene in an atmosphere where food retailers and suppliers can openly discuss mutual problems and find solutions beneficial to the industry.
• Schedule knowledgeable and respected speakers on target with current trends designed to improve performance in today's environment. Informative, practical, and motivating speakers will be "key" to successful conventions.
• Industry trends, training, motivation, advertising mediums, new technology, finance, and other current and choice subjects will ensure successful conventions.

Retailer / Supplier Meetings

• Favorable trade relations and camaraderie can be established at annual conventions and board meetings hosted by suppliers.
• Superb communications, understanding and cooperation throughout the industry can be established by WAFC in the Western United States similar to what FMI has accomplished on a national basis.
• Formal buying/merchandising sessions may be scheduled during annual conventions between merchandising executives and suppliers to cover mutual problems and opportunities.

WAFC Special Committees

• The FMI Relations Committee will be dedicated to maintaining excellent intercommunications with the Food Marketing Institute--especially in the area of education.
• A scholarship committee will foster and support WAFC educational programs at the University, State and Community College levels. Quarterly progress reports from this committee will be made to the Board on all aspects of WAFC educational programs.
• The Convention Program Committee will plan, coordinate and schedule quality speakers to ensure all 14 Western States are properly represented in all WAFC/FMI educational programs.

WAFC must be aligned with the changing makeup of the industry by providing a focus on education commensurate with current and future needs. This will be accomplished at the University, State and Local Community College level; at annual conventions; with meetings with merchandising executives and suppliers; and through WAFC Special Committees. By accomplishing the aforementioned, WAFC will provide a satisfactory level of service to meet the changing needs of all of its members.