The 2011 ABA Convention, "Enriching Bodies and Lives," March 26-30, 2011, at the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country, is dedicated to celebrating the 70th anniversary of the enrichment of flour and bringing attention to this important historic landmark for the baking industry.

Convention confirmations will be e-mailed March 17, 2011 to all registered attendees.
 

Golf Icon Tom Kite to Headline Paul Abenante PEC Golf Tournament at 2011 ABA Convention 

Health and Nutrition Experts to Explore "Future of Fortification" at ABA Convention

ABA announced the distinguished lineup for "The Future of Fortification," panel taking place during the ABA Convention. The panelists, Sylvia Melendez Klinger, CDC Epidemiologist Dr. Mary Serdula, and Katharine Kreis of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition will recognize the great health strides due to flour fortification as well as explore future options for fortification. Judi Adams, GFF and WFC president, will serve as moderator.

Register for the 2011 ABA Convention!

A broad and diverse coalition of business associations, taxpayer advocates, hunger and development organizations, agricultural groups, free-market groups, religious organizations, environmental groups, budget hawks, and public interest organizations today sent a letter applauding Senators Coburn (R-OK) and Cardin (D-MD) for reaching across the aisle to introduce bi-partisan legislation to end the refundable Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC). This tax credit subsidizes the blending of corn-based ethanol into gasoline. The legislation, if enacted immediately, would save taxpayers nearly $4 billion during the remainder of 2011.

Click here to read the statements from members of the coalition and the letter itself.  

Statement from ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie
"The American Bakers Association (ABA) commends Senators Coburn (R-OK) and Cardin (D-MD) for reaching across the aisle to introduce bi-partisan legislation to end the refundable Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC). After thirty years of government subsidies and mandates it is time for ethanol to leave the nest and fly on its own."

On March 10, ABA and other food industry partners submitted a letter to the House Appropriations Committee to voice opposition to FDA user fees in the Obama Administration's budget to pay for the Food Safety Modernization Act. "Keeping registration fees out of the food safety legislation was a key priority for ABA last year, and the association will continue to work aggressively against such fees - in effect a tax on businesses - as we move forward in the 112th Congress," said ABA Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs Lee Sanders.
 
The letter was delivered to Capitol Hill in advance of a March 11 hearing of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee with FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, MD.

Read the letter here. 

Today's volatility in the wheat market represents millions of dollars daily in undue financial risk. The markets have been overrun by index funds, causing prices to rise and fall in dramatic fashion. It wasn't too long ago when the wheat markets were effective hedging tools for bakers, but now wheat is treated as just another asset class for buy and hold index funds. 

ABA invites you to take action today to urge the CFTC to support rules enforcing contract limits on index funds. This action will greatly diminish the influence of the funds in the wheat market and reduce market volatility. 

TAKE ACTION - Urge the CFTC to Implement Contract Limits on Index Funds!

 

Energy & Environment Committee Meeting Registration Now Open!

The Energy & Environment Committee will meet May 10-11, 2011 at the ABA office in Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, May 10
Committee Meeting (1:00-5:00pm)
Group Dinner (6:00pm)
Wednesday, May 11
Committee Meeting (8:30am - 3:30 pm)
Program details coming soon!

• NEW! Register Online (Login/Passwords were sent to all EEC members March 9 by Kelly Kotche.)
• Register with the traditional PDF form

Please note: we are transitioning from paper to online registration. We appreciate your patience as we work through the challenges. If you experience technical difficulties or have comments, please e-mail info@americanbakers.org  or call the ABA office at (202) 789-0300.

Allied Member in the Spotlight: Dunbar Systems, Inc.

Dunbar Systems Inc. has provided "Complete Bakery Systems" since 1982. Dunbar Systems continues to prove themselves time and again with over 1,200 successful state-of-the-art engineered systems, supplying proven equipment and project management from small concentrated systems to full production lines.     

Contact: Executive Vice President Mike Dunbar | (630) 257-2900  

 

www.dunbarsystems.com