"American Bakers PAC is honored to have Newt Gingrich address American Bakers PAC Members during the 2011 ABA Convention," said American Bakers PAC Chairman Steve Avera, Flowers Foods. "Speaker Gingrich is an intellectually powerful and dynamic speaker who will share his outlook and vision for America with dinner attendees."

Newt Gingrich is well-known as the architect of the "Contract with America" that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994 by capturing the majority in the U.S. House for the first time in 40 years.

Full Press Release

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The American Bakers PAC Dinner is a ticketed event on Monday evening, March 28, during the ABA Convention. Invitations and ticket order forms will be mailed to authorized ABA Members on February 4. To learn more about the PAC Dinner and ABA's political activities, please contact ABA Director of Political Affairs Kelly Knowles at 202-789-0300 or via e-mail at kknowles@americanbakers.org

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2011 ABA Convention Quick Links:

• Register for the 2011 Convention!
• PR: Walmart Chairman Lee Scott to Headline Convention
• List of 2010 Participating Companies
• More Information on the 2011 Convention

On Jan. 24 and 25, ABA members descended on Washington as part of the Bakers Business Summit. Members of the ABA Human Resources and Safety Committees as well as the Distribution Task Force joined together to hear presentations from Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of OSHA, Randy Johnson, vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and legal expert Peter Susser, Littler. As a highlight of the event, members were able to participate in a breakfast with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), long time friend to the baking industry, who spoke to ABA members about the need to rein in spending and decrease the nation's debt, as well as prospects for reforming the new health care law. A reception was held on Capitol Hill with members of the House Education and Workforce Committee.

Click here for individual committee meeting highlights and photo gallery!

Special thank you to the dinner sponsors: Lockton Companies and Shick USA!

Safeway's Kevin Phillips Joins ABA Board

The American Bakers Association is pleased to announce the addition of a new member to its Board of Directors. Kevin Phillips, vice president of operations support with Safeway's Manufacturing & Logistics Division, has joined the board as of the new year. Mr. Phillips replaces Director Chris Moloney, vice president of Safeway's Bakery Business Unit, who has served since 2000. Mr. Moloney will be retiring in the next few months.

Read Full Press Release | Full ABA Board List

February FTRAC Agenda to Include Food Safety, Nutrition, Labeling Policy

ABA's Food Technical Regulatory Affairs Committee (FTRAC) meeting, Feb. 8-9, will provide bakers and their suppliers with key information on a variety of critical industry issues, including food safety, nutrition and labeling. On Feb. 8, FTRAC and ABA's Commodities and Agricultural Policy Committee (CAPC) will join forces with the National Association of Wheat Growers for USDA and Congressional visits on nutritional policy as well as Agricultural Research Service wheat quality laboratory funding. The evening of Feb. 8 will feature a joint FTRAC and CAPC dinner. On Feb. 9, FTRAC will hear food safety presentations from FDA, AIB and ABA FDA Counsel Covington & Burling. The International Food Information Council will provide a presentation on their recent research results, "Environment and Consumer Perspectives about Processed Foods and Food Ingredients." Additionally, attendees will receive updates on a variety of nutrition initiatives.

See the Agenda | Register Now!

CAPC Meeting to Discuss Market Volatility, STOP Act, Biotech Wheat and more!

The Commodities & Agricultural Policy Committee (CAPC) will be meeting alongside the ABA Food Technical Regulatory Affairs Committee Feb. 8-9, in Washington, D.C. The meeting will include:

• Market Volatility Strategy Session - Focus on the proposed position limit rule
• Discussion of the STOP Act
• Biotech Wheat Discussion (Joint discussion with FTRAC)
• Discussion of the U.S. sugar program
• What to expect in the 2012 Farm Bill
   

Register Now for the CAPC Meeting | See the CAPC Agenda 

There are a few problem spots around the world to watch for wheat production. First up is China. With a pretty significant drought in place the main wheat growing region of the country needs moisture and soon to make sure it isn't a disastrous crop this year. There is a chance to have a good crop, but not a great one. Enough damage has been done to create fear of a much less than desired crop without a weather change. The northern African countries are second and they have had decent moisture, but there are spots of real problems. The civil unrest is just fanning the flames of their need to import grain to keep prices low and available for the poor.

Read Full Report

For more information on "Eye on the Market," please contact ABA Senior Manager, Government Relations Cory Martin at cmartin@americanbakers.org or 202-789-0300.

OSHA Withdraws Noise Reduction Reinterpretation and MSD Recordkeeping Proposal

OSHA announced that it is temporarily withdrawing its proposal to reinstate reporting of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The proposal had been at the Office of Management and Budget for review since last fall. OSHA is seeking greater input from small business on the impact of the proposal. This announcement follows last week's withdrawal of the noise reduction reinterpretation that could have required sweeping changes for all businesses, including the baking industry.

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Contact: Jerry Rymont, Group Publisher | (216) 931-9720 | www.bakery-net.com