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October 7
Sporting Clays Classic
Milford Hills, Johnson Creek, WI
November 30-December 2
Annual Convention & Processing Crops Conference
Kalahari Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells
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WI Gov Evers Says "No Data" to Show $300 Unemployment Enhancement is Causing Workforce Shortage |
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Gov. Tony Evers defended the additional $300 a week in federal unemployment benefits being allocated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His position comes despite business groups calling on him to immediately stop the payments. "Our state is literally paying people to sit on the sidelines," Nick Novak said, vice president of communications and marketing for WMC. "While we had a workforce shortage prior to the pandemic, it has become a crisis level workforce shortage because of these expanded benefits." |
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These 25 States Are Ending $300 Unemployment Benefits This Summer
A growing number of GOP-led states are planning to end supplemental unemployment benefits designed to help out-of-work Americans weather the coronavirus pandemic, a move they say will help businesses struggling to hire employees. At least 25 states decided in May and June to prematurely cut off the sweetened aid, which provided an extra $300 a week on top of regular state unemployment benefits. Read More
Source: WMC
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What OSHA's Updated COVID Guidance Means for Business
OSHA’s guidance does categorically state that most employers no longer need to take steps to protect their workers from COVID-19 exposure in any workplace, or well-defined portions of a workplace, where all employees are fully vaccinated. However, implementing this guidance does present challenges to employers due to the mixed-vaccination status (vaccinated, unvaccinated, and otherwise at-risk) among their workers. The OSHA guidance highlights additional safety requirements for higher-risk workplaces (including manufacturing, meat and poultry processing, high volume retail and grocery, and seafood processing) with mixed-vaccination status workers where there is heightened risk due to close, frequent or long durations of contact on production lines and associated with shared spaces, workstations, vehicles, living quarters, etc. OSHA places an emphasis on improving ventilation to protect workers as outlined in its guidance.
Importantly, AFFI member companies should follow American Disabilities Act (ADA) and confidentiality of medical information laws. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its “What you should know about COVID-19” frequently asked questions relevant to employer, employee and worksite issues. In addition, AFFI’s legal counsel, Hogan Lovells has provided helpful key takeaways from the EEOC guidance.
Source: AFFI
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CISA Re-Release Ransomware Guides After Second High-Level Cyberattacks |
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After a second high level cyberattack on JBS S.A. over the weekend, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center re-released their joint Ransomware Guide.
The Ransomware guide is a customer centered, one-stop resource with best practices and ways to prevent, protect and/or respond to a ransomware attack. CISA and MS-ISAC are distributing this guide to inform and enhance network defense and reduce exposure to a ransomware attack:
This Ransomware Guide includes two resources:
· Part 1: Ransomware Prevention Best Practices
· Part 2: Ransomware Response Checklist
Source: Michael Best Strategies
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White House Issues Steps for Businesses to Address Ransomware Threats
Given the recent cyberattacks against U.S. Critical Infrastructure, the White House recently released a memo to help companies against the threat of ransomware. Read More
Source: AFFI
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MWFPA 2021-22 Member Directory Arrived |
The 2021-22 MWFPA Member Directory & Buyers' Guide is here. You may have already received it in your offices. Below is a link to the digital version of the directory that includes live links to emails, webpages, etc.
Thanks to those who contacted us with your updates or stayed on top of your company profiles so that we are able to present a useful publication.
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NCBA Asks USDA to Eliminate "Product of the USA" Label for Meats
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is asking the USDA to eliminate the use of potentially misleading origin labels for beef. President Jerry Bohn says the use of “Product of the USA” (POTUSA) might mislead consumers if beef imported to the U.S. originated in another country. “We’re asking or petitioning FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service) at USDA to change the nomenclature of that label to ‘processed in the U.S.’ that way we believe in a more truthful label.” Imported beef products are eligible to be labeled Product of the USA if the product has been minimally processed or repackaged in a USDA-inspected facility. Read More
Source: Michael Best Strategies
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WI Assembly Schedules June 22nd Votes on Food Labeling Proposals
The state Assembly will be voting on three labeling bills for meat (AB-075 ), milk (AB-074), and dairy products (AB-073) on Tuesday, June 22nd. MWFPA has member interest in amending the meat bill to specifically define meat alternatives, as the law will be challenged by national groups on First Amendment free speech grounds and overturned as has happened with the same language in four other states. An amendment to do so was unfortunately rejected in committee despite our appeal to get the language correct and the meat labeling bill is being advanced in a form that will be struck down as unconstitutional.
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Organizations Tell FDA They Want to Continue with Inspection Mandate
The undersigned organizations, representing the food industry, consumers, and state and local food safety regulators, write to express our support for FDA’s compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) domestic inspection frequency mandates, and to propose a collaborative approach to addressing the inspection challenges and opportunities outlined in your recent report “Resiliency Roadmap for FDA Inspectional Oversight” (hereafter “Inspection Roadmap”). This year marks the 10th anniversary of FSMA’s enactment. The regulatory framework is largely in place, but your Inspection Roadmap report is a reminder that much work remains to achieve a modernized inspection program – one that makes the best use of all available resources and fulfills the law’s vision of risk-based prevention, comprehensive accountability, and consumer confidence in the safety of the food supply. We propose that FDA build on its Inspection Roadmap and New Era initiatives by leading a stakeholder engagement process to explore ways to meet the domestic inspection frequency mandates in FSMA and better protect public health through modernizing inspections. The undersigned stakeholders specifically request a seat at the table to discuss inspection modernization with FDA and how to most effectively leverage technology and state regulatory resources. Read More
Source: Michael Best Strategies
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The Pathogen Risks on Your Plant's Floor
Pathogens present in food products comprise a large portion of recalls in the U.S. While the source of the contamination often varies across each product category, and may often be unknown, pathogen prevalence in the processing environment may permit indirect contamination from processing floors to surrounding surfaces. Read More
Source: FoodProcessing.com e-news
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IL GOP Leaders Sue Over New District Map Gov Pritzker Signed into Law
Republican leaders in the Illinois House and Senate filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday, June 9, challenging the constitutionality of the new legislative district maps Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law June 4.
Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie, of Hawthorn Woods, and House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Chicago, arguing that the maps are based on survey data rather than official U.S. Census numbers and therefore violate the U.S. Constitution’s “one person, one vote” requirement. Read More
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Federal COVID Workplace Safety Rules are Here - But Only for Health Care Workers |
Fifteen months into the pandemic, OSHA has issued a mandatory workplace safety rule aimed at protecting workers from COVID-19. But it only applies to health care settings, a setback for unions and worker safety advocates who had called for much broader requirements. "Today's new COVID workplace safety standard from OSHA represents a broken promise to the millions of American workers,” UFCW International President Marc Perrone said in a statement. Read More
Source: WMC
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Inflation Spike Could Force Fed's Hand on Tapering Asset Purchases |
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The Labor Department announced Thursday that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) surged 5% in May from a year prior, the fastest year-over-year jump since 2008. Excluding the volatile food and energy data, core inflation rose 3.8% from a year earlier, the quickest since June 1992. These spikes could prompt the Federal Reserve to start laying the groundwork to begin curtailing its massive monetary support to the U.S. economy. Read More
Source: WMC
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Employees Say In-Person Training Better Than Virtual |
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A study by Paychex found most employees (67%) believe in-person training is more successful than remote training. 62% say physical training is more enjoyable than virtual, and 56% of employees find in-person training more satisfactory than remote. While the majority of employees favor face-to-face training over remote, when it comes to onboarding, remote operations have employee support. Read More
Source: WMC
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Wildlife Agencies Act to Reverse Trump's Endangered Species Act Changes |
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The Biden administration on Friday announced its intent to replace Trump-era changes to Endangered Species Act regulations that farm and other business groups welcomed as inserting “common sense” into ESA implementation.
Source: Agri-Pulse.com
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Organic Fruit, Vegetable Sales Top $20 Billion in 2020
Total U.S. organic sales soared to new highs in 2020, jumping by a record 12.4% to $61.9 billion, including $20.4 billion in produce.
It marked the first time that total sales of organic food and non-food products have surpassed the $60 billion mark, and reflected a growth rate more than twice the 2019 pace of 5%, according to the 2021 Organic Industry Survey released May 25 by the Organic Trade Association.
Black beans, flour and chicken broth are not typically out of stock. They were in 2020. In that unprecedented year, organic’s reputation of being better for you and the planet positioned it for dramatic growth. In almost every organic food aisle, demand jumped by near-record levels, propelling U.S. organic food sales in 2020 up a record 12.8% to a new high of $56.4 billion. In 2020, almost 6% of the food sold in the United States was certified organic. Read More
Source: ProduceProcessing.net
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2021 Summit & Scramble
Weather Made to Order!
Everyone can agree that we had a perfect day the annual scramble at Trappers Turn on June 3rd.
We had a sold out event this year. Beautiful weather, a picturesque course, and camaraderie set the tone for the event. We couldn't have asked for a better day!
Volunteers raised $2,250 in donations to the MWFPA scholarship fund, thanks to nearly 100% participation from our golfers on the Tee-It-Forward holes. Thank you to our volunteers who braved the heat: Stephanie DiGiovanni (Hydrotex), Jacque Oldenburg, and Josephine Wangen who encouraged golfers to pony up 'for the kids!'
In addition to cash prizes for the winners, others who weren't so lucky on the course scored some money elsewhere - we gave over $2,600 in cash prizes, as well as member-donated door prizes. Thank you to WMFPA members that sponsored, donated door prizes, and provided items for the golfers' goodie bags - 34 sponsoring companies in all. Without your generosity this event wouldn't be successful!
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1st Place Team (14 under par):
Jared Cameron, Ball Metalpack
DJ Madsen, Lakeside Foods
Ben Bashaw, Lakeside Foods
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2nd Place Team (12 under par):
Brian Peetsch, Hydrite Chemical
Ben Packer, Hydrite Chemical
Dale Brinkman, Seneca Foods
Dave Elfstrand, Seneca Foods
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And a very hearty congratulations to Pearl Engineering with a score of 17 over par!
Jeff Pearl, Pearl Engineering
Sue Rice, Pearl Engineering
Amy Haese, Pearl Engineering
Perry Linder, Pearl Engineering
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Thanks to all who participated!
We look forward to hosting the next member event.
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Alithya
Alliant Energy
Anderson Chemical
Bonduelle
Bush Brothers
C.D. Smith Construction
Chippewa Valley Bean
Crites Seed
Ellingson Companies
Gallatin Valley Seed
Harris Moran Seed Company
Hydrite Chemical
Hydrotex
JAX INC.
J.J. Keller
J.P. Cullen
Lakeside Foods
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Lubriplate Lubricants
Lyco Manufacturing
M3 Insurance
Nelson-Jameson
Oxbo International
Pearl Engineering
Plainfield Trucking
ProEx Food
Seminis Vegetable Seeds
Seneca Foods
Silgan Containers Manufacturing
Summit Refrigeration Group
Superior Transport & Logistics
Syngenta Vegetable Seeds
Trivium Packaging
Verder, Inc
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Door Prize Donors:
Anderson Chemical
Hydrite Chemical
Nelson-Jameson
Trivium Packaging
Cigar Donor:
Great Lakes Food Manufacturing
Goodie Bag Donors:
JP Cullen
Nelson-Jameson
Summit Refrigeration
Seminis Vegetable Seeds
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Survey: CPG Manufacturers Address GMO Labeling |
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A Food Processing R&D Survey of food and beverage research and development professionals finds the top trends driving product development during the pandemic include sugar content reduction and preparation for the GMO-labeling requirement that goes into effect Jan. 1. Nineteen percent of survey respondents reported they intend to use the Consumer Brands Association's SmartLabel, which allows consumers to scan a QR-like image on-label code to access this information. Read More
Source: CBA
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Consumer Brands Renews Call for Federal CBD Oversight |
The Consumer Brands Association is continuing to advocate for federal oversight of cannabidiol products, as legacy consumer packaged goods companies are frustrated by the inconsistent state-by-state regulation of CBD, according to Stacy Papadopoulos, general counsel for the association. "They don't want to subject themselves to lawsuits or, even worse, that something they were doing in the space was not entirely safe for consumers," said Papadopoulos.
Source: CBA
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Appreciating Those Who Cultivate the Produce on Our Plate |
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Farmers are stewards of seed, soil, plants and the earth. They must understand and use crop science to help them optimize what they choose to grow. Have A Plant® Ambassador Leslie Bonci, RD shares some of the technology farmers are using to help with sustainability and nutrition quality. Read More
Source: IMA
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EPA, Dept of Army to Revise Waters of the US Definition |
Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers have announced their intent to revise the definition of Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule is leading to “significant environmental degradation.” President Biden requested a review of the Trump Administration’s rule. As a result, Regan says the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers will establish a definition of waters of the U.S. based on Supreme Court precedent and draw on lessons learned and input from stakeholders. Read More
Source: Michael Best Strategies
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Farm Bureau: Decision to Potentially Reverse Navigable Waters Rule A Blow to Agriculture
A leader with American Farm Bureau Federation says there are still a lot of unknowns surrounding EPA’s plans to reverse the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. Don Parrish, senior director of congressional and regulatory relations, says EPA’s news release says the agency plans to revise the rule, while EPA Administrator Michael Regan has said….”they are indicating that they’re going to do more than just revise and they’re going to repeal the Navigable Waters Protection Rule and ultimately replace it. It’s a little bit confusing and we won’t know for sure the process that EPA intends to take for a little while,” Parrish says. He tells Brownfield the rationale behind the decision is concerning. The EPA and Army Corps of Engineers have determined that there are 333 projects that would have required permitting prior to 2020 rule but no longer do. Read More
Source: Michael Best Strategies
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How Del Monte is Building on Pandemic-Driven Growth
Growing consumption of canned and frozen fruits and vegetables during the pandemic has spurred 39% of participants in a Morning Consult survey to view these products as healthier than they did pre-pandemic. Del Monte's educational campaigns aim to build on this growth, as research indicates canned and frozen produce is as healthy or healthier than fresh produce that isn't consumed immediately after harvest.
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McCain Foods Commits to Regenerative Agriculture Plan
McCain Foods is preparing to transition all of its potato crops to regenerative agriculture practices by 2030. "It's an ecosystem-based approach to farming that focuses on protecting and improving soil health and biodiversity," said Charlie Angelakos, McCain's vice president of external affairs and sustainability.
The farming practice promotes biodiversity, increases water efficiency, protects against erosion, captures more carbon and creates greater resilience to droughts and floods, McCain said.
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Ron Schultz
August 27, 1945 - June 9, 2021
Waterloo, Wisconsin
Many in the canning industry for a long time relied on Ron frequently when FMC cooker issues arose. We wanted to relay the sad news of his passing and express our condolences to . Read Obituary
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Options for Conveying Powders and Bulk Solids Within Food Processing Facilities
Powders are among the most challenging substances to work with in food and beverage plants. One of the biggest challenges is getting them where they're supposed to go. Conveyors that move powders and bulk solids around need to accommodate a variety of handling requirements. Powders can be sticky, can agglomerate and can denature if exposed to excessive heat or moisture. Parameters including distance, path and required throughput can all affect powder conveying. Read More
Source: CLFP
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Would you like to receive MWFPA Freight Updates?
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October 7 - Sporting Clays Classic, Milford Hills, Johnson Creek, WI (Registration will open in late August)
November 29-30 - OSHA 10-Hour Training Seminar, Kalahari Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells
November 30-December 2 - Annual Convention & Processing Crops Conference, Kalahari Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells (Exhibitor Registration Opens July 1)
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Midwest Food Products Association
www.mwfpa.org
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