IFPA conference to address technical and management issues
IFPA conference to address technical and management issues
WASHINGTON -- Expect to see an expanded conference program focusing on technical issues such as packaging and food safety, but also a new attention to business management at the April 26-29 International Fresh-cut Produce Association meeting in Baltimore.
While the conference program has been expanded, the buzz is likely to be about the newly announced plans to merge IFPA with the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association. Despite the consolidation of the two trade associations, the groups plan to continue the fresh-cut expo in years to come, as the groups agree it offers targeted information and networking opportunities to a different audience.
"These are two very different trade events," said IFPA President Jerry Welcome, adding that he expects the fresh- cut expo to grow in the years to come as a result of the planned merger.
With more than 20 sessions, IFPA has greatly expanded the conference offerings for Fresh Cut Expo 2006 to help fresh- cut produce firms with a myriad of technical issues facing the growing industry, as well as to learn about the latest trends in business management.
For example, the conference is hosting a session on managing a diverse workforce that can pose challenges to management, he said. Carlos Conejo of Multicultural Associates will lead the seminar on this topic. IFPA is hosting a three-session program, "The Keys to Successful Project Design," on what it takes to put together a first-class operation, whether a company is building a new plant or expanding, said Mr. Welcome. The group is bringing in new faces from the federal government to talk about food defense and food-safety issues, thanks to newly named Vice President of Technical Services David Gombas. "Gombas has really brought a whole new approach," Mr. Welcome said, by bringing in scientists who can discuss the latest research on fresh and processed produce.
Food defense experts Megan Coward of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Amy Barringer of the Food & Drug Administration and John Martin of the Department of Homeland Security will talk about the new agroterrorism initiative in the food defense seminar.
"With the government and media so keenly focused on safety issues related to fresh produce right now, we knew it was critical to place a strong emphasis on technical programming at Fresh-Cut Expo," said Dr. Gombas. "Anyone who is doing business in the fresh-cut produce sector should be concerned and educated about the latest technology, challenges and regulatory action our industry faces."
Taking advantage of Baltimore's proximity to leading experts, IFPA has planned visits to FDA headquarters and USDA's Agricultural Research Center so members can talk about safety regulations and the latest research. Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition Director Robert Brackett and former FDA Commissioner Les Crawford will speak to the group on how to effectively work with the regulatory agencies that directly affect fresh-cut produce companies.
Another session will help the industry explore ways to improve finished products by selecting new seed varieties. In the session, "Creating Tomorrow's Fresh-cuts," USDA's Bob Saftner and others plan to update IFPA conference attendees on emerging products in a new commitment to "go back in the food chain," said Mr. Welcome.
IFPA is reaching out to a leading food company, General Mills Corp., to hear about the "The Risks and Rewards of Packaging - A Consumer Products Company Perspective." Jay Gouliard will discuss General Mills' overall strategy and how a large food manufacturer works with retailers on food packaging.
The conference continues to reflect IFPA's growing need to be a global resource for the fresh-cut industry as it hosts sessions that allow European fresh-cut processors to discuss ways to take the lead in processing and product innovations.
At the Baltimore meeting, IFPA's board of directors will meet to tackle two issues influenced by the European marketplace. The board plans a discussion on whether the association should guide processors as they confront a growing trend among retailers and fast-food chains of demanding corporate responsibility polices from suppliers. Another issue is how to ensure consistency on issues, such as food-safety problems, that affect U.S. and European members.
More than 1,000 people have pre-registered for the Baltimore meeting, many of whom will be coming from Europe, said Mr. Welcome. "We've been trying to take advantage of the IFPA Europe group and bring people together to talk," he said.
Finally, two new commodity working groups will meet in Baltimore to discuss cutting-edge research. Melons and mushrooms will meet for the first time, along with the apple working group, to provide a forum for industry and researchers to talk about the latest trends.
While the conference program has been expanded, the buzz is likely to be about the newly announced plans to merge IFPA with the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association. Despite the consolidation of the two trade associations, the groups plan to continue the fresh-cut expo in years to come, as the groups agree it offers targeted information and networking opportunities to a different audience.
"These are two very different trade events," said IFPA President Jerry Welcome, adding that he expects the fresh- cut expo to grow in the years to come as a result of the planned merger.
With more than 20 sessions, IFPA has greatly expanded the conference offerings for Fresh Cut Expo 2006 to help fresh- cut produce firms with a myriad of technical issues facing the growing industry, as well as to learn about the latest trends in business management.
For example, the conference is hosting a session on managing a diverse workforce that can pose challenges to management, he said. Carlos Conejo of Multicultural Associates will lead the seminar on this topic. IFPA is hosting a three-session program, "The Keys to Successful Project Design," on what it takes to put together a first-class operation, whether a company is building a new plant or expanding, said Mr. Welcome. The group is bringing in new faces from the federal government to talk about food defense and food-safety issues, thanks to newly named Vice President of Technical Services David Gombas. "Gombas has really brought a whole new approach," Mr. Welcome said, by bringing in scientists who can discuss the latest research on fresh and processed produce.
Food defense experts Megan Coward of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Amy Barringer of the Food & Drug Administration and John Martin of the Department of Homeland Security will talk about the new agroterrorism initiative in the food defense seminar.
"With the government and media so keenly focused on safety issues related to fresh produce right now, we knew it was critical to place a strong emphasis on technical programming at Fresh-Cut Expo," said Dr. Gombas. "Anyone who is doing business in the fresh-cut produce sector should be concerned and educated about the latest technology, challenges and regulatory action our industry faces."
Taking advantage of Baltimore's proximity to leading experts, IFPA has planned visits to FDA headquarters and USDA's Agricultural Research Center so members can talk about safety regulations and the latest research. Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition Director Robert Brackett and former FDA Commissioner Les Crawford will speak to the group on how to effectively work with the regulatory agencies that directly affect fresh-cut produce companies.
Another session will help the industry explore ways to improve finished products by selecting new seed varieties. In the session, "Creating Tomorrow's Fresh-cuts," USDA's Bob Saftner and others plan to update IFPA conference attendees on emerging products in a new commitment to "go back in the food chain," said Mr. Welcome.
IFPA is reaching out to a leading food company, General Mills Corp., to hear about the "The Risks and Rewards of Packaging - A Consumer Products Company Perspective." Jay Gouliard will discuss General Mills' overall strategy and how a large food manufacturer works with retailers on food packaging.
The conference continues to reflect IFPA's growing need to be a global resource for the fresh-cut industry as it hosts sessions that allow European fresh-cut processors to discuss ways to take the lead in processing and product innovations.
At the Baltimore meeting, IFPA's board of directors will meet to tackle two issues influenced by the European marketplace. The board plans a discussion on whether the association should guide processors as they confront a growing trend among retailers and fast-food chains of demanding corporate responsibility polices from suppliers. Another issue is how to ensure consistency on issues, such as food-safety problems, that affect U.S. and European members.
More than 1,000 people have pre-registered for the Baltimore meeting, many of whom will be coming from Europe, said Mr. Welcome. "We've been trying to take advantage of the IFPA Europe group and bring people together to talk," he said.
Finally, two new commodity working groups will meet in Baltimore to discuss cutting-edge research. Melons and mushrooms will meet for the first time, along with the apple working group, to provide a forum for industry and researchers to talk about the latest trends.
