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 Dear News Bulletin Subscriber,
The MWFPA News Bulletin has changed. Starting with this edition our Bulletin comes with a fresh new look. Redesigned for an easier read, - and to be more frequent so the articles can be more timely. I hope it meets your needs.
President, MWFPA |
| The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten by Focus on Energy | | |
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| Agreement on Child Nutrition Standards Reached |
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The food and beverage industry and public health and education groups have come to an agreement on national nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools.
The agreement is included in legislation before Congress to reauthorize child nutrition programs. The bill would give the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture the authority to establish national nutrition standards for all foods sold on school campuses throughout the school day, including vending machines, school stores and à la carte items.
The U.S.Senate Agriculture Committee passed the bill unanimously in March and sent it to the full Senate for a vote later this year. The House has yet to act on its version of the legislation.
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| EPA Looks at BPA |
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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to look more closely at the environmental impacts of bisphenol A (BPA), a common ingredient in plastic baby bottles and food storage containers.
Under the EPA's new BPA action plan, released on March 29, BPA will be added to the chemical concern list, and therefore subjected to stricter rules.
For an in-depth overview of some of the current relevant scientific, regulatory, and litigation issues regarding BPA, click here.
Top of page | | Processor Tax Credit Clears State Assembly | |
The WI State Assembly passed the food processor modernization tax credit Tuesday by a vote of 92-5. The bill is now in the State Senate.
The legislation
Del Monte's Roger Jacob makes a statement to the press supporting the food processors tax credit. Behind him are Rep. Vruwink (l) and Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan. | provides an income tax credit for 10 percent of the amount that an owner, or company, pays in a taxable year for food processing plant or warehouse modernization or expansion.
Del Monte's Roger Jacob particpated in a news conference earlier in the day supporting the bill along with the bill's sponsor, Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink.
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| WI Processors, Growers Gather on Water Bill | | On March 31, several MWFPA members joined growers and the dairy industry in Madison to oppose AB 844, a bill that increases regulation on groundwater, surface water, and high capacity wells (MWFPA testified against this legislation the week before).
Processors and producers gather for a briefing prior to meeting with WI state legislators on the water bill. | Over 40 people attended 20 meetings with key legislators to educate them on how the legislation will negatively impact growers and processors. In addition legislators were educated on the many things the industry is doing to conserve energy and water. Thanks to our members from Del Monte, Seneca, Lakeside, McCain, Kraft, and Abbott & Cobb who took the time to attend this event. It was time well spent.
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| WI Global Warming Bill Still Alive | | Democrats in the WI legislature have tinkered with the global warming bill, AB 649/SB 450, in hope of finding a compromise.
On Tuesday, modifications were made in the bill such as removing low-carbon fuel requirements, California vehicle emission standards, and a boiler inspection and efficiency requirement. However, a central cost driver remains which is the mandate that 25% of the state's energy come from renewable sources by the year 2025. MWFPA continues to oppose this legislation. See the latest news release from an informal coalition of agriculture groups regarding these bills.
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| Phosphorus Rule on Fast Track | |
Public hearings on a proposed rule to lower phosphorus levels in state waters by tightening point-source discharges are set to begin today. The new standards will likely affect any food processor that holds a WPDES permit in the State.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff has indicated their intent to move quickly with a final rule expected to be adopted in June. The deadline to submit written comments to DNR is April 30, 2010. MWFPA intends to submit comments so contact Nick.George@mwfpa.org with your input. For a list of public hearing dates and locations, as well as a copy of the rule, see the MWFPA website.
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| MWFPA Takes Issue with IL BPA Ban | |
Another thanks goes to our Illinois members who contacted legislators asking them to oppose two bills that banned BPA in baby bottles and other food containers. Our coalition members in Illinois tell us that the bill was amended and that legislators are feeling the pressure. The IL legislature has until today to vote on the issue.
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| WELCOME New Members | |
Join us in welcoming our Newest Associate Member! Find out more about this great company by clicking their name and visiting their website.
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| MWFPA Annual Member's Golf Outing | |
Spring is finally here and that means it's time to sign up for the MWFPA Member's Golf Outing! An evening reception on June 2nd is planned at the Hilton Garden Inn, then join us on June 3rd at Trapper's Turn in Wisconsin  Dells, WI for a day of golf, lunch and cash prizes.
For more information and online sign-up or to download the pdf version of the Registration Form visit our website, www.mwfpa.org.
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| MWFPA Website Features New Look | |
MWFPA launched its redesigned website last week featuring enhanced graphics, improved navigation and sections tailored to current and prospective members. The URL for the site is www.mwfpa.org.
The Web redesign is part of an ongoing effort to serve MWFPA members, the general public and the news media better by improving and updating all aspects of the association's communications.
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| Friday/Weckel Scholarships Available | |
Applications for the Friday/Weckel Scholarships are now available at our website and our offices. If you know a worthy college undergrad that is majoring in food science or agriculture at the University of Wisconsin, we encourage you to send them an application. Applications are due June 14th.
In June/July our Human Resource Committee will choose up to six recipients for the $1500 awards. Last year was disappointing in the number of nominations received. MWFAP has been getting the word out through our committees, the universities, and the high schools.
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| MWFPA Recommended Research |
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The MWFPA Raw Products Committee met in March to choose the research projects for this year and submitted them to the board for final approval. This year we will spend $64,000 on research which will include groundwater research along with the usual mix of projects on corn, beans, and peas.
| | HR Communication Seminar Successful | | MWFPA's first human resource seminar for middle managers took place in WI Dells in March and attracted sixty five attendees. The half-day event discussed the complexities of working with people in different generations and how to deal with problem employees.
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| Hormel--Example of Industry Energy Practices | |
Given MWFPA's recent involvement in a host of issues regarding energy and the environment, the new Hormel Foods production facility in Dubuque, Iowa provides a good example as to how the industry has responded to environmental concerns
The plant is designed to use at least 25 percent less water and energy than the typical plant and was built using materials with more than 36 percent recycled content. It uses refrigerants such as non-ozone depleting ammonia and R-410A, and has a number of other energy efficient measures, such as using solar to gather energy for lighting of the company sign.
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| Hormel's Daniel Brown Receives NCFST Award | |
The National Center for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST), Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), presented its prestigious 2010 NCFST Award to Daniel G. Brown, a 37-year veteran of Hormel Foods Corp., at the consortium's Mid-Year Meeting held in Burr Ridge, IL, April 6-7, 2010.
The award recognizes Brown's key role as a member of the highly successful seven-year, industry-supported collaborative Dual Use Science and Technology (DUST) consortium that resulted in development of a novel food sterilization technology, pressure assisted thermal sterilization (PATS).
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| Process Expo Goes Biennial in 2011 | |
The Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) has announced plans to transition to a biennial show in Chicago beginning November 2011.
Representatives from the world's major food equipment suppliers and show attendees overwhelmingly expressed a strong preference to move from an annual show to a two-year cycle. The event will be held November 1-4, 2011 at Chicago's McCormick Place.
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| MWFPA Calendar of Events | |
April 20-22, 2010: Ammonia Refrigeration System Safety Hosted by UW-Madison, Dept of Engineering Professional Development, this course will help attendees implement ammonia safety best practices, minimize operational risks and understand and comply with codes and regulations. For more information click here.
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April 26-27, 2010: Dryer Technology hosted by the University of Wisconsin College of Engineering, Dept. of Engineering Professional Development, this program provides a detailed introductory course about the fundamentals of drying, process design of dryers, methods for improving dryer efficiency and reducing costs in the process industries. To enroll click here.
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May 25, 2010: Energy, Water, and Food Safety: A Food Processing Symposium Attendees to this University of Minnesota symposium will learn about opportunities for improving processes to further ensure food safety as well as to reduce water use, energy use, and waste water loading. This is a joint symposium hosted by the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP). For more information, click here.
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June 3, 2010: MWFPA Annual Member's Golf Outing Plan to join us at Trappers Turn in Wisconsin Dells, WI. More information and online sign-up is available on our website, www.mwfpa.org.
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June 8-9, 2010: GMA Food Labeling Workshop Designed to teach food company personnel and others involved in label design the skills they need, whether they are responsible for labeling compliance, food product marketing or product development. Click here for more information.
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June 22-24, 2010: How to Implement and Sustain Lean in Process Industries: Fundamentals of Lean --Part 2, click here for additional information.
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June 28-30, 2010: Energy, Water, and Food Safety: A Food Processing Symposium Addressing Environmental Impacts and Opportunities Millennium Knickbocker Hotel, Chicago, IL. In response to the enforcement, regulatory and compliance challenges that are currently facing the food indsutry, American Conference Institute and MWFPA are providing a forum for in-house regulatory and government affairs, food safety and compliance officers. Participants will hear directly from the FDA, FTC, NAD, and relevant state and local agencies regarding what their current enforcement priorities are. This conference will put relevant stakeholders in the food industry - both in-house and government - in one place for two days of knowledge-sharing, policy shaping and strategy development. To learn more or to register, click here.
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Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2010: 106th MWFPA Annual Convention and 83rd Processing Crops Conference Mark your calendar for next year's annual convention, to be held at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, Wis.
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