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 The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Focus on Energy | | |
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| Food Safety Bill Passes House, Stalls In Senate | | |
Prospects for passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act dimmed this week as the U.S. Senate stalled in an effort to pass an omnibus federal spending bill.
On December 9, the House passed the Act by a vote of 211-206. The bill represents a substantial overhaul of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's oversight and regulation of food safety matters. The legislation was rolled into both the House and Senate versions of a much larger bill detailing government funding.
However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has said that he was abandoning the measure after several Republicans he had been counting on withdrew their support for the bill. He said he would work with Republicans to write a shorter-term funding bill, known as a continuing resolution, in its place. This means that the Food Safety Modernization Act might not be passed this year.
MWFPA has been monitoring Senate action on the food safety bill as there was a chance that it might consider an amendment banning BPA. MWFPA worked to insure that consideration of any food safety bill would not contain such language.
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| MWFPA Rejects Proposed WI Energy Tax Increase | |
MWFPA joined four other business organizations in a December 13 memorandum urging rejection a $340 million tax increase on energy bills proposed by the WI Public Service Commission (WPSC).
The WI Legislature's Joint Finance Committee however approved the WPSC request on December 14. Republicans opposed to the action and said it would be overturned in the new year.
Currently through monthly utility bills, the WPSC collects $94 million for energy conservation projects. The WPSC wanted to raise that amount to $256 million by 2014, an increase of 172%.
The memorandum outlined the concerns of MWFPA, the National Federation of Independent Businesses-Wisconsin, Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, and the Wisconsin Paper Council. It asked the Joint Finance Committee to oppose the proposal.
MWFPA President Nick George said "We hoped members of the Committee would reject this proposal, and spare our economy from an unnecessary tax hike . . . Instead of raising energy costs, lawmakers should look for ways to make electricity less expensive in Wisconsin."
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| Welcome New Members! | |
Help us welcome our newest Association Members! Find out more about these companies by clicking on their company name and visiting their website. |
| MWFPA 2010 Convention & Exposition Recap |
Food manufacturing professionals from across the Midwest and as far away as Belgium, Italy and South Africa, gathered together in Green Bay, WI Nov. 29-Dec. 2 to take part in MWFPA's annual convention and processing crops conference.
Convention-goers participated in dynamic break-out sessions and visited with exhibitors.They learned from economic guru
 | | Conventioneers mingle during the All Industry Reception at Lambeau Field. |
Dr. Jay Lehr how best to promote and defend the food industry, and enjoyed in-depth instruction,networking opportunities, and learned about ways in which their businesses could grow in today's market conditions.
Lehr's lively and informative address was one of the highlights of the convention which showcased cutting-edge products and services.
Among other highlights:
- More than 140 exhibitors displayed the latest in food processing technology, packaging and services.
- Congressman-elect Reid Ribble solicited input on regulatory barriers facing members of the American Fruit & Vegetable Processor & Growers Coalition.
- Breakfast keynote Speaker Elizabeth Pivonka informed
 | | Dr. Elizabeth Pivonka addresses the convention. |
convention participants on the current state of fruit and vegetable consumption in the U.S. She said that success in raising the rate of consumption depends on working with the food processing profession. She noted that inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption (fresh as well as canned and frozen) was costing $56 billion a year in healthcare expenditures. - Wednesday's luncheon keynote speaker Santana Dotson focused on what it takes to build a strong team, drawing on his years of success as both a champion football player and successful business person. He stayed to sign autographs and met with convention goers.
Thank you to our convention sponsors and all who participated to make this one of the best convention's ever! MWFPA staff are already at work planning the 2011 MWFPA Annual Convention set for the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
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| McCain's Darek Frye To Chair MWFPA Board of Directors |
McCain Foods' Darek Frye was elected as Chairman of the MWFPA Board of Directors during its 2010 convention.
Ken Sevicik of Faribault Foods was named Vice Chair and Bruce Jacobson of Lakeside Foods was named Secretary/Treasurer.
Members elected to three-year terms on the Board were Darek Frye, Ken Sevicik and Bruce Jacobson, in addition to Bob Goeres of Lodi Canning Co. and Andy Kroll of General Mills. Congratulations to all!
A special thank you goes out to Gary Braun of Del Monte Foods for his service as Chairman of the Board over the last two years.
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| MWFPA's Nick George On Public Radio |
On November 19, MWFPA Nick George participated in a live panel discussion on Milwaukee public radio about the future of Wisconsin's food economy.
Other panelists included Jack Belke - Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Klement's Sausage Company, Paul Dietman - Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin
 | | MWFPA President Nick George (L) takes a question during a public radio interview. |
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and Shelley
Jurewicz - Vice President of the Economic Development with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.
The hour-long interview looked at whether the food industry is recession-proof, in addition to the challenges facing various elements of the food industry, as well as the future of the food industry in Wisconsin.
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| MWFPA Presents At Water Security Seminar |
MWFPA was invited to speak at a food processor water security seminar hosted by the US Environmental Protection Agency Region Five office in Chicago in November. MWFPA President Nick George was on a panel with a Tom Raymond of Hormel, and John Polanski of the University of MN.
The EPA is trying to determine how prepared the industry is if there is a water disruption. There were several food processors in the audience including Mark Hobbs from Seneca and Harlan Hawkins from Del Monte.
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| Americans Still Not Consuming Enough Fruits, Veggies |
The recently released National Fruit & Vegetable Alliance's National Action Plan (NAP) report card finds that the average American's fruit and vegetable consumption remains far below recommended levels.
The NAP report card finds that only 6% of individuals achieve their recommended target for vegetables and only 8% achieve their recommended target for fruit in an average day. The report noted that eight states with the lowest fruit and vegetable consumption are also in the top 10 states with the highest obesity rates.
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| GMA Website Redesigned |
GMA has launched a blog and revamped its website at www.GMAOnline.org, The site offers a wealth of resources, information and up-to-the-minute news pertaining to GMA members and the organization's strategic areas of focus, including: health and nutrition, product safety, global commerce, customer collaboration and environmental sustainability. Check it out!
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| Wally Named President Of Warehouse Association |
The Wisconsin Warehouse Association (WWA) held its annual meeting on December 8, 2010 in Appleton, WI and named Jamie Wally, Vice President of Sales & Marketing from WOW Logistics, as its President of the Association for the 2011 term. Jamie has served as an executive officer of the WWA since 2008 and has held the positions of Vice President and President Elect.
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| Employment Opportunity -- Van Holten's |
Waterloo WI based pickle manufacturer, Van Holten's has a job opening for a Quality Assurance/Food Safety Manager. If you or anyone you know would be interested in joining this established and growing company please send your resume to Steve Byrnes at sbyrnes@vanholtenpickles.com.
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| Employment Opportunity -- CleanTech Partners, Inc. |
CleanTech Partners has a position open for a Process Energy Specialist. The position will convince and assist companies in Wisconsin to adopt process related technologies and practices that will save energy and money in their production as measured using criteria established by Focus on Energy (Focus), Wisconsin's statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Contact: Ed Corrigan at
ecorrigan@cleantechpartners.org and provide a letter of interest and a resume.
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| MWFPA Calendar of Events | |
February 16-17, 2011: MWFPA Safety Conference. Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI. Details to follow.
June 1-2, 2011: MWFPA Golf Outing. Reception on the evening of the June 1. Trappers' Turn in Wisconsin Dells, WI. Details to follow. November 28-Dec. 1, 2011: MWFPA 107th Annual Convention and 84th Annual Processing Crops Conference, Wisconsin Dells, WI, Kalahari Resort and Convention Center. Mark your calendars now! Don't miss this invaluable opportunity to gain exclusive insights from some of the industry's most innovative and knowledgeable representatives and to make meaningful contacts with clients, prospects and referral sources.
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| MWFPA Educational Opportunities | |
March 7-11, 2011: University of Wisconsin Better Process Control School. Crowne Plaza Hotel in Madison, WI. This course will help employees of food companies meet the safety requirements set by the Code of Federal Regulations for safe canning of foods. This USDA- and FDA-approved training is required for supervisors of thermal processing operations in the canning and retortable flexible container industries. Detailed information, including a brochure, enrollment form, and a link to online registration is available through the University of Wisconsin-Madison CALS Conference Services: http://www.cals.wisc.edu/ccs/Current%20Programs.html. A draft schedule of the week's events is available at http://www.foodsafety.wisc.edu/better_process.html.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is published twice monthly or as developments warrant, and is intended for a general audience of manufacturers and suppliers of food and agricultural products. |
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