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EPR Registration Update for Colorado
Regulations in Colorado require producers to register by October 1, 2024. Producers who have not registered by that date may be subject to compliance penalties. CAA is also required to submit a list of registered producers to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment following the October deadline and will be posting the list on its website. Please encourage producers to Register today. Still trying to determine your obligations? CAA has released guidance to help producers determine if the material associated with their products is covered by packaging EPR laws in Colorado and Oregon and if their business is the responsible producer for those materials. Be sure to review the business relationship scenarios that have been prepared to help producers interpret the definitions of covered products and the hierarchies of obligated producer for those materials in typical business relationships. As regulations are still being finalized, please be aware that definitions are subject to change. That’s why CAA allows producers to amend their registration at any time, with no penalty, should their obligations change. The guidance is now available at the Producer Resource Center.
Source: Circular Action Alliance
Event to Note: MWFPA is hosting a webinar with Food Northwest on October 15th to discuss EPR in depth. To register for this free event please contact info@mwfpa.org.
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Longshoremen Strike Deadline Looms Large Over Economy and Election
Tens of thousands of longshoremen at 14 ports along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico are poised to walk off the job early Tuesday morning if their union and employers cannot reach a new labor agreement by midnight, threatening to disrupt both the economy and the 2024 election. Negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) soured earlier this summer, and the two sides remain far apart on key issues with the contract set to expire at midnight. MORE
Source: WMC
Minnesotans Sweating in Farm Country as the Farm Bill Dies (Again)
The federal farm bill officially expired Monday, leaving the future of farm subsidies, research grants, food stamps and more up in the air. The farm bill has previously been a bipartisan affair but fights in the U.S. House over food stamp funding and “climate smart” agriculture incentives meant the bill was not renewed this year. Advocates say they hope to get the bill passed during the “lame duck” session of Congress at the end of the year, but nothing is guaranteed. Thom Petersen, Minnesota’s agriculture commissioner, said he is disappointed, but not surprised that the bill expired. MORE
Source: Fluence Media
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Senate Highlights USDA School Feeding Programs
On Wednesday, September 18, Constitution Partners had the privilege of assisting Mrs. Kay Swartz Rentzel as she testified before the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee of Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research. Mrs. Rentzel wears many hats including Chair of USDA's Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee and Executive Director of the Southeastern Food Processors Association, National Peach Council, and U.S. Sweet Potato Council. In her testimony, Mrs. Rentzel emphasized the importance of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). These programs, as she noted, go far beyond merely providing meals; they are instrumental in addressing food insecurity, particularly in the face of troubling statistics…. Mrs. Rentzel also made a compelling case for the inclusion of more American-grown fruits and vegetables in school meals. She stressed the vital role these foods play in supporting both the nutritional needs of American children and the economic stability of local farmers. By prioritizing domestic produce, we can reduce reliance on foreign imports, which often come with trade-offs in quality, nutrition, and perishability. Mrs. Rentzel underscored that supporting local growers and processors—who can deliver fresh, canned, and frozen produce within hours of harvest—offers students the safest and most nutritious food available. In conclusion, Mrs. Rentzel's testimony was a vital contribution to the ongoing discussions surrounding American agriculture and school nutrition programs. She effectively connected the health of American children to the health of the nation’s agricultural sector, making a powerful case for stronger support of domestic food production through the "Buy American" provisions. Watch a recording of the hearing HERE
Source: Constitution Partners
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Americans’ Confidence in Government Food Safety Reaches New Low
A new Gallup Poll finds consumers’ confidence in the government’s ability to protect food safety is at an all-time low with 57% saying they have a “great deal” or a “fair amount.” 14% of American’s had “no confidence at all.” About 80% had a great deal or fair amount of confidence in previous polls from the 1990s through 2006. After a salmonella outbreak in 2007, the numbers dropped consistently into the 70% range. Notably, the survey was completed before the recent Boar’s Head issues which continue to receive heavy media coverage. MORE
Source: Food NW
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October 16th In Person Cyber Presentation and Workshop!
Date: October 16th
Time: 10:30am – 1:30pm
Location: M3 Madison, 828 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI
M3/CLA and the Cooperative Network are partnering on a cyber security presentation and hands-on workshop at the M3 Madison office on October 16th.!
This will be a very good opportunity for participants to learn:
- Updates on emerging cyber threats
- The use of AI in cyber-attacks
- The critical role that a cyber response plan and a properly structured insurance program can play in an organization’s risk management program.
The presentation (which is also available virtually) will be followed by lunch and a hands-on risk response workshop. More Information & Registration
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MN-Based Company Yelloh, Once Better Known as Schwan’s, Announces November Closure
Citing “insurmountable business challenges” Marshall-based Yelloh says it will end its frozen food deliveries on Nov. 8. Founded in the southwestern Minnesota city 72 years ago with an initial run of ice cream, the company — known as Schwan’s Home Delivery until 2022 — was a pioneer in the frozen food home delivery industry. Its fleet of yellow trucks fanned out across the country delivering food to families where they lived. However, the company says economic and market forces, as well as changing consumer lifestyles, led to a sell-off of a major chunk of the business to a Korean company a few years ago and a rebranding as Yelloh. MORE
Source: Fluence Media
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Local Businesses Sue Villages of Pewaukee and Dousman for Imposing Unlawful Fire-Protection Charges The WMC Litigation Center filed a lawsuit against the Villages of Pewaukee and Dousman on Monday. Brought on behalf of local businesses, the lawsuit alleges that the Villages’ annual fire-protection charges are unlawful. These charges are imposed village-wide as special charges on all real property – even tax-exempt property. Although special charges for fire protection must, under state law, be calculated on a per-call basis, these charges are not. MORE
Source: WMC
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Consumer Brands: Only FDA Should Regulate Food Additives
The Consumer Brands Association has expressed opposition against a new law in California banning food dyes Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 in public school foods as the association maintains the FDA and not the state should regulate food additives. MORE
Source: CBA
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The FDA Wants to Place Warning Labels on Food Packages to Combat Obesity and Other Health Conditions
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking to propose the inclusion of front-of-package warning labels that detail the calorie, fat, sugar and salt content of various processed food and drink products. The agency plans to make a formal proposal in October, a little over two years after the FDA first considered implementing a new nutrition labeling system. MORE
Source: CLFP
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Hydro-Thermal Corporation Celebrating 90 Years of Direct Steam Injection Heating Excellence
Hydro-Thermal™ Corporation, a name synonymous with innovation and excellence in steam heating, has a rich history dating back to the early 1930s. From its revolutionary beginnings in Wisconsin's paper mills to its current global presence, the company has continually evolved, driven by a commitment to American-made, cutting-edge technology and customer satisfaction. This legacy of innovation has been carried forward through generations of the Zaiser family and the dedication of its employees, each leaving an indelible mark on the company's journey. MORE
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Tweet Garot Mechanical, Inc. Announces the acquisition of G.J. Olney, Inc., a Distinguished Vegetable and Fruit Processing Equipment Manufacturer.
This acquisition represents a significant expansion of Tweet Garot’s food processing equipment lineup, allowing the company to provide a wider array of products and services to the food processing industry. The G.J. Olney product line includes specialized equipment for washing, cleaning and grading a variety of fruits and vegetables, designed to improve efficiency and meet the unique demands of food processors. MORE
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Innovation Spotlight: How Conagra is Leveraging AI to Support Employee
The makers of America’s trusted household brands rely on its people — from the scientists ensuring product safety, to the farmers growing wheat for bread and the truckers on the road to the retailers — and some companies have embraced how AI can support — not supplant — their teams that are integral to the industry’s mission: delivering for the consumer, every day. Conagra Brands is one such company leading in this space. MORE
Source: CBA
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Future-Proof Your Food Production Operations
The regulatory landscape is changing for food manufacturers with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204 set to be enforced in January 2026. This landmark legislation aims to bolster food safety through advanced traceability requirements and stringent record-keeping. For manufacturers, understanding and preparing for this rule is crucial to ensuring compliance and maintaining the integrity of the supply chain. MORE
Source: CLFP
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Meat Alternatives See Three Consecutive Years of Decline
After booming growth in 2020, the meat alternatives market has faced three consecutive years of decline, sinking to $1.1 billion in 2023, according to Circana (formerly IRI). Despite the setbacks, there are bright spots and opportunities that brands can leverage to reignite consumer interest. After peaking at $1.3 billion in 2020, meat alternatives sales have lagged, yet they remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. The percentage of households purchasing meat alternatives is shrinking, but frequent buyers — who make up 75% of dollar sales — remain critical to the category’s success. MORE
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Fairchild Equipment Earns Prestigious RAVS Plus Certification from ISN
Fairchild Equipment, a leading materials handling dealership in the Midwest, is proud to announce that it has received the esteemed RAVS Plus certification from ISN. This recognition places Fairchild Equipment among an elite group of contractors and suppliers out in ISN to meet or exceed the rigorous standards for workplace safety, quality outcomes, and risk management. MORE
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