TopofPageMidwest Food Processors Association News Bulletin  - April 1, 2016   
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MWFPA Disappointed Over Senate Failure To Pass GMO Bill
MWFPA expressed its disappoint over the U.S Senate's failure to advance a bill that would have prevented states from passing laws that require food packages to disclose the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, farmer and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has indicated it will be difficult for Congress to reach a bipartisan deal on measure before Vermont's own law takes effect this summer.

Read the MWFPA news release here

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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Wisconsin Lift Truck Corp.

Unemployment Insurance Reform Passes In MN
Minnesota employers secured important reforms in the state's unemployment insurance system with a bill signed into law by Governor Dayton.  MWFPA supported the measure. 

Under the reforms, Minnesota employers will receive a one-time credit in 2016 on their unemployment insurance premiums and future credits whenever the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance reaches 104% of the federally-recommended solvency level.

The state will apply the 2016 credit to employers' UI premium payments due July 30. In the event an employer has already paid its full UI premium liability, the employer may carry over the credit until June 30, 2017. Employers will receive their share of the $258 million credit pool in proportion to their paid premiums. Employers at the maximum experience rating are not eligible for credits.
 
 
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MN Conference Committee Deals With Transportation Funding
Highway
The MN Transportation Conference Committee is ironing out differences in HF 4 in an effort to find compromise between the positions of the House and Senate.  MWFPA supports sustained and strategic investment in roads, bridges and transit.

Last year, Gov. Dayton and legislative leaders reached agreement on the scope of MN's growing transportation needs. Currently, Minnesota faces a $6 billion funding gap for state highways over the next decade that is expected to increase.  

 

MWFPA will continue to monitor this legislation and report on developments. 

 
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MN Committee Considers Paid Leave Mandate
The MN Legislature is considering a bill that would impose a new payroll tax on all employers and all employees for employees to draw on. As proposed, it would fund up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave and 12 weeks of paid family leave per year (SF 2558, HF 2963).  MWFPA opposes the legislation.

Cam Winton of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce told a Senate committee earlier this week that "This bill is a recipe for administrative disaster."

The Senate Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee voted to remove the medical leave portion of the bill. The measure was then sent on to be heard before the Senate Finance Committee.

It is expected that some version of the legislation appears destined for the Senate Floor this session
.
The House bill is not expected to advance this year. 
 
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Register Now For MWFPA's Food Sanitation Seminar


Register now for MWFPA's full-day seminar looking at the sanitation problems and solutions that are found in today's food plants.  Go to MWFPA's website "Events" page for registration materials and more information.  Plan to attend on April 21, 2016 at the Stoney Creek Hotel, 3060 S. Kinney Coulee Rd. in Onalaska, WI.

Sponsorship opportunities for the morning, lunch, and afternoon programs are available.

Thanks to our exhibiting companies:

Great Lakes
Hydrite  
chicago glue
Midwest Rubber

 

MWFPA Produces Employment Video
MWFPA has produced an employment video designed to be used by school counselors, teachers, civic leaders, media, and others about employment opportunities within our industry. It will be distributed via the MWFPA website, YouTube, member websites, and through direct contact with potential employees.

Thanks to the MWFPA Human Resource Committee members for all of their time and input into the making of this video.

Feel free to download the video from YouTube or contact the MWFPA office for a copy.

Click on the image below and have a look!


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Stay Current With MWFPA, Follow Our Social Media Feeds
One of the best ways to stay current on MWFPA activities, including legislative activities, is to follow our Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter feeds.

These feeds are a great way to convey information about the MWFPA and our activities, as well as to interact with our membership. Please follow our social media feeds today!

facebook  twitter  linkedin

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Membership Survey Shows MWFPA Beneficial To Organizational Development
Shortly after the first of the year, MWFPA sent a survey to members inquiring about their overall engagement and satisfaction in the organization. The questionnaire addressed such things as  event attendance/value received, networking opportunities, and overall benefit of membership.

The results show that most of those surveyed - 78% - thought MWFPA added to their organization's development.  Over 63% of the respondents indicated they read the MWFPA News Bulletin saying the publication was relevant to their professional activities and added value to their membership.

Other interesting findings include: 
  • Among processing members, legislative and regulatory advocacy ranked first among MWFPA acivities.
  • Among associate members, networking ranked first among MWFPA activities.
  • Survey recipients ranked food safety, government regulation, sustainability and energy costs among their four top issues.
We appreciate the feedback and will continue to work to improve the Association's services. Don't forget: You can send us your thoughts anytime at: [email protected].

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MWFPA Sponsorship & Underwriting Opportunities
Take advantage of MWFPA's sponsorship and underwriting opportunities today!

Sponsoring an MWFPA event, such as the upcoming sanitation seminar, provides opportunities to make business connections in intimate settings.  The sanitation seminar provides speaking opportunities during the session in addition to exhibit space.

Upcoming events and sponsorship opportunites include:
  • June 1-2, 2016 - MWFPA Spring Summit & Scramble - Kalahari Resort & Convention Center and Trappers Turn Golf Club, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
  • October 6, 2016 - MWFPA Sporting Clays Challenge - Milford Hills Hunt Club, Johnson Creek, WI.
  • November 29 - December 1, 2016 - MWFPA Annual Convention & Processing Crops Conference - Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI 
The Association offers an underwriting opportunity associated with this news bulletin.  Broaden your visibility, create awareness of your products and events and connect with food manufactures and business leaders. Contact MWFPA for more details. 

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Remember:  Send Those MWFPA Friday/Weckel Scholarship Applications In Today
scholarshipUndergraduate students attending, or planning to attend, UW Madison, Platteville or River Falls are eligible for Friday/Weckel scholarships. Applications are due by April 29, 2016. Last year six scholarships were awarded totaling $9,000.

Information and applications can be downloaded from the MWFPA website, or by contacting Brian Elliott at: [email protected], or by calling 608-255-9946.

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FSPCA Preventive Controls Qualified Individual for Human Foods Training - April 18-20, 2016
FSPCA Preventive Controls Qualified Individual for Human Foods training will be held April 18-20, 2016 on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, in the Continuing Education & Conference Center,1890 Buford Ave, St Paul, MN 55108.

You can become a preventive controls qualified individual by successfully completing this course. A preventive controls qualified individual is required to perform certain tasks in facilities that are under FDA's new preventive controls for human food regulations. This course is the standardized curriculum recognized by FDA.  
 
Register here.

The $800 fee covers all attendee materials, lunches, and certificates. The class runs from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on April 18 & 20, and 8:00 a.m. until Noon on April 20.

Better Process Control School Set For April
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is set to present the 2016 Better Process Control School, April 26-29, 2016 in Madison, WI.
 
The Better Process Control School provides the canning industry with qualified personnel to meet FDA and USDA regulations.
 
All processing of thermally processed low-acid or acidified foods which are packaged in hermetically-sealed containers must have certain critical operations supervised by a qualified person.The 
Better Process Control School trains individuals to supervise these critical operations.
 
Training is being offered this year in late April in order to support training of personnel newly hired for the pack season.
 
Registration and schedule information is available online: www.foodsafety.wisc.edu
 
Early registration deadline is April 4, 2016.

MWFPA Events You Won't Want To Miss
April 21, 2016: MWFPA Sanitation Seminar. Stoney Creek Hotel,
3060 S Kinney Coulee Rd., Onalaska, WI.

June 1-2, 2016: MWFPA Spring Summit & Scramble. Kalahari Resort & Convention Center and Trappers Turn, Wisconsin Dells, WI.

October 6, 2016: MWFPA Sporting Clays Challenge. Milford Hills, Johnson Creek, WI.

November 29- December 1, 2016: MWFPA 112th Annual Convention and 89th Processing Crops Conference.  Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Other Educational Opportunities
April 12-13, 2016Arc Flash Hazard Analysis. Pyle Center,702 Langdon Street, Madison, WI. Ensure your work environment is safe by reviewing relevant standards, like NFPA 70E, and IEEE 1584, and NESC 410A3. You will also learn about personal protective equipment, perform arc flash hazard calculations, evaluate arc-resistant switchgear and understand coordination issues relating to faster trip time.  For more information, or to enroll, click here.

April 18-20, 2016FSPCA Preventive Controls Qualified Individual for Human Foods Training. St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, in the Continuing Education & Conference Center, 1890 Buford Ave, St Paul, MN.  Register here.

April 26-29, 2016: University of Wisconsin - Madison Better Process Control School.  Madison, WI. All processing of thermally processed low-acid or acidified foods which are packaged in hermetically-sealed containers must have certain critical operations supervised by a qualified person.  The Better Process Control School trains individuals to supervise these critical operations.
 
Registration and schedule information is available online: www.foodsafety.wisc.edu. Early registration deadline is April 4, 2016.

April 26-28, 2016: Iowa State University FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food. Iowa State University 1951 Food Sciences Building Ames, IA.  A three day Basic Preventive Controls training designed for people in the food industry desiring to understand and be trained in the Food Safety system for manufacturing safe food. This course will meet the FDA FSMA regulations as an Approved Course under Food Safety Preventive Control Alliance (FSPCA).  For more information, click here.

May 3-4, 2016Dryer TechnologyMadison Concourse Hotel,
One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703. Expand your knowledge of dryer fundamentals and learn how to apply proven methods to solve problems, and improve energy efficiency and your operations. This course will focus on continuous drying of particulate materials from foods to inorganic chemicals. 
For more information, or to enroll, click here.

May 5, 2016: Atomization and Spray Technology: Focus on Spray Drying Course. Madison Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703.  Learn about various types of atomizers, as well as how an atomizer works, and how to select an atomizer for specific applications. This course will focus on atomization methods, functions, designs, atomizer performance, and much more. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to compare different atomizers and select the right one for your application. In addition, you will be able to calculate droplet size, cone angle, and other spray characteristics.  For enrollment and other information, click here.

May 11-12, 20162016 IRC Research & Technology Forum. Pyle Center,702 Langdon Street, Madison, WI. Attend several technical sessions covering topics including: mechanical integrity, electric motors & drives, regulatory update, and others. New this year will be a `lightning round` technical session. This annual event is the most cost-effective opportunity for you to update and expand your knowledge of industrial refrigeration systems. Self-register here .  The fee is $139.  On the registration page, be sure to select the appropriate event with the radio button since there is more than one currently listed.

June 13-15, 2016Iowa State University FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food. Iowa State University 1951 Food Sciences Building Ames, IA.  A three day Basic Preventive Controls training designed for people in the food industry desiring to understand and be trained in the Food Safety system for manufacturing safe food. This course will meet the FDA FSMA regulations as an Approved Course under Food Safety Preventive Control Alliance (FSPCA).  For more information, click here.

September 26-30, 2016: Private Label, Food Service and Retail Products Trade Mission. Monterrey and Mexico City, Mexico. Expand your export sales in Mexico by joining Food Export-Midwest and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture on the Focused Trade Mission to Mexico, for Private Label, Food Service and Retail food product companies.  Cost:  $400 by the Early Registration Deadline - May 23, 2016. For more information, contact Ashwini Rao/ 608-224-5119/ [email protected].  Register here. 
 
Midwest Food Processors Assoc. | | [email protected] | http://www.mwfpa.org
4600 American Pkwy.
Suite 210
Madison, WI 53718

Midwest Food Processors Assoc. | 4600 American Pkwy. | Suite 210 | Madison | WI | 53718