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 | May 16, 2011 | |
| The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Focus on Energy | | |
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WI U.S. Senator Kohl Won't Seek Re-Election | |
WI Democratic Senator Herb Kohl announced that he is no t running for re-election in 2012. Potential Democratic candidates include Rep. Ron Kind, Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Milwaukee Mayor and 2010 gubernatorial nominee Tom Barrett, and former Sen. Russ Feingold, who was defeated after three terms in the 2010 Republican wave.
Republicans' top candidate would be House Budget Chair man Paul Ryan, whose budget plan has made him a national figure. Other possible Republican candidates include: Wisconsin Attorney General JB Van Hollen, and former Feingold challengers Tim Michels and Mark Neumann. Top of Page |
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Lawmakers Respond To School Lunch Rule | |
More than 40 bipartisan members of Congress have signed on to a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking him to reexamine proposed school lunch regulations.
Lawmakers question, as has MWFPA, whether restricting potato servings and other starchy vegetables as proposed in the regulations will really encourage students to make other food choices.
In addition to the starchy vegetable rule, the American Frozen Food Institute is fighting proposals to eliminate frozen fruits that contain sugar and to downgrade the nutritional value of tomato paste used in pizza preparation.
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| The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens | | |
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| WI Budget Committee Reverses Energy Tax Increase | |
The WI Legislature's Joint Finance Committee recently voted to overturn its predecessor's December decision calling for massive spending increases on energy efficiency programs for homes and businesses.
Last December, when the budget-writing committee was under Democratic control, it approved increasing spending on programs to $120 million in fiscal 2011, $160 million in 2012, $204 million in 2013 and $256 million in 2014. The money would have come from increases in utility bills.
MWFPA in addition to the National Federation of Independent Business-Wisconsin Chapter, the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and the Wisconsin Paper Council opposed the effort. They noted that while they were strong supporters of energy efficiency programs, they had serious concerns about the potential economic impact.
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| MN Senate Advances Tort Reform Bills | |
On May 14, during the first Saturday floor session of the year, the MN State Senate passed a number of tort reform proposals. One measure reduces the state's statute of limitations from six years to four. Another bill creates an automatic court appeal to all certifications of class action lawsuits. A third measure would increase the jurisdiction of conciliation courts from $7,500 to $20,000. MWFPA supports tort reform efforts in MN recognizing the need to bring the state's liability laws in line with other states and ensure a more stable business climate.
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| IL Struggles With State Budget Plan | |
With under a month of scheduled session days remaining, the IL General Assembly's attention is riveted on the state budget.
The IL Senate has approved approximately a dozen, non-controversial budget-related bills recently, but in the House their fate is uncertain due to differences in the budget numbers the House and the Senate are using.
Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and House GOP leader Tom Cross have put forth a spending plan of about $33.2 billion. That's about $1 billion less than what Senate President John Cullerton and the Senate Democrats want to spend and about $2.2 billion less than Governor Pat Quinn's version. But for a budget bill to get to the governor before the legislature's May 31 deadline, lawmakers in the House and Senate both have to pass the same version and that should prove challenging for the legislative leadership.
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MN Waste To Energy Workshop | | |
Energy and food processing industry groups will hold a "Waste to Energy" workshop on Tuesday, May 24, at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Attendees can expect to learn more about anaerobic digester and biogas energy recovery technologies and concepts, steps to developing a successful biogas to energy project, experiences and lessons learned from food processing and livestock producers, connecting to the grid, and AD/CHP support and resources.
Hours are 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For more information contact: Sam Rinaldi at 312-996-2554 or samr@uic.edu or Subodh Patel @ 651-297-1219 Subodh.Patel@state.mn.us. Register online here. Registration costs $55.
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Welcome New Association Members! | | |
Join us in welcoming our newest members to the Association! Please visit their websites by clicking on the company name to learn more about them.
STRUCTURAL
Vinca LLC
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Slots Still Open For Golf Gathering! | | |
Slots are still open, but filling up fast for the Spring Summit and Scramble on June 2, 2011, at Trapper's Turn Golf Course in Wisconsin Dells, WI! For more information visit our website, www.mwfpa.org, and use our online sign-up, or download the brochure if you wish to pay by check.
Opportunities are still available to promote yo ur company by sponsoring: a hole, cash prizes, lunch, or donating items for drawings and goodie bags. All sponsors will be recognized with signage at the event, on our website, and in our bi-monthly e-bulletin.
A Wednesday evening June 1 reception will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn. The shotgun style golf tournament will be played at Trapper's Turn June 2, starting at 8:00 am followed by lunch, awards and cash prizes.
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Scholarship Applicants Needed | | |
Time is running out to submit nominations for the six available Friday/Weckel scholarships. Applications can be downloaded from our website or obtained from our offices. If you know a worthy college undergrad that is majoring in food science or agriculture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Platteville or River Falls, we encourage you to send them an application. Applications are due June 10th.
In June/July our Human Resource Committee will choose up to six recipients for the $1,500 awards. Last year we got a great response and we hope to do the same this year.
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| Membership Directory Updates In Progress | |
It is time again to update the Membership Directory before we go to print. We strive to keep our online directory current throughout the year. That information is annually published in hard copy and sent to all member companies. Update requests have been sent out to all company contacts.
If you have not already done so, send in all changes that you wish to make to Robin (robin.fanshaw@mwfpa.org). Please reply even if no changes are neccessary so we know all your information is up to date.
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Kraft Unveils Sustainability Goals That Build On Success | |
Kraft Foods announced expanded sustainability goals recently. The company said its new goals build upon previous success around energy, carbon dioxide, water, waste and packaging reductions.
From a 2010 base, by the end of 2015, it plans to increase sustainable sourcing of agricultural commodities by 25 percent, reduce energy use in manufacturing plants by 15 percent, reduce energy-related CO2 emissions in manufacturing plants by 15 percent, reduce water consumption in manufacturing plants by 15 percent and reduce waste at manufacturing plants by 15 percent.
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Synagro Seeks Director of Industrial Sales | |
Synagro, is seeking a National Director of Industrial Sales. The position will be responsible for leading the company's efforts to create, maintain and expand relationships with national, multi-location existing and prospective industrial customers, meeting or exceeding the Company's strategic growth and profitability goals. This position will report to the VP of Sales.
Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in business or related field, 5+ years experience in national account type sales, selling value-based environmental equipment or services (e.g. industrial water/wastewater treatment equipment or services; other equipment sales; facility cleaning, inspection, repairs and maintenance; engineering services, or chemical supply) to the food & beverage or pulp & paper industries with a demonstrated, quantifiable track record of success.
Submit current resume and salary requirements directly to ne.careers@synagro.com. Please include job title in the subject line of the email.
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| MWFPA Calendar of Events | | | June 1-2, 2011: MWFPA Spring Summit & Scramble. Evening reception on June 1st is planned for the Hilton Garden Inn. On June 2nd, a day of golf (scramble format), lunch and cash prizes at Trapper's Turn in Wisconsin Dells, WI. (See article above)
June 2, 2011: Allergens: Successful Factory Management Strategies. GMA will offer the third of its Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) educational webinars to address the expected regulations containing allergen management mandates resulting from FSMA.
1 to 2:30 p.m. EST. For more information or to register, click here.
June 15-16, 2011: ACI Advanced Summit on Food Safety Regulatory Compliance. The Sutton Place Hotel, Chicago, IL. Created specifically to address the emerging focus by the government on food safety and regulatory issues. Reserve your space now at this unique regulatory compliance event. For registration and conference details, click here. MWFPA is a media sponsor and therefore members can receive a discount by contacting the office at 608-255-9946 and obtaining the discount code.
July 19-20, 2011: Industrial Refrigeration & Energy Efficiency. Tomah Hospitality Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn), Tomah, WI. Improve the performance and operational costs of your refrigeration systems. Participants will gain knowledge to effectively understand refrigeration systems and apply those principles to the design, construction and operational efficiency of their refrigeration systems. To register, go to www.mastersacademy.biz. Course attendees can earn 1.6 CEU's for attending.
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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| Other Educational Opportunities | |
May 20, 2011: Introduction to FSSC 22000 Webinar. Running from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CST, this webinar will introduce the requirements of ISO 22000 and the PAS 220, and the basic steps to certification. Registration includes a comprehensive checklist of the requirements and a PowerPoint presentation for you to use to educate others in your organization. For registration or information, call 952-250-7172 or visit http://www.22000-Tools.com
June 7-8, 2011: FSSC 22000 Implementation Training, Minneapolis, MN. Two-day training designed for those investigating or starting to implement FSSC 22000 Food Safety Management System. Participants will lead what it takes to comply with the standards and how to start and manage their projects. For registration or information call 952-250-7172, or visit www.22000-Tools.com.
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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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