Monthly News & Updates February 2021

Upcoming Events Basic Training (Entrepreneurial Workshop) - February 18 Basic HACCP - March 3-4 Playing in the Dough - March 25 Online Training Basic Training for Food Entrepreneurs Selling Home Bakery Items - What You Need to Know Understanding Food Labeling Regulations Extension Articles and Publications FAPC Launches Online Food Labeling Course Tech Talk - Food Safety Culture - Implementing GFSI Standards Grocery Guru Appointed to Board A retail food industry expert is the newest member of the FAPC advisory board. Appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Marc Jones, president and CEO for HAC Inc. in Oklahoma City, joins the 16-member Industry Advisory Committee to help oversee the center’s mission and vision. READ MORE ABOUT JONES

Business Spotlight

Sweet Spirit Foods People start businesses for many reasons –– to fulfill a dream, share delicious family recipes or maybe meet needs. Whatever the case may be, small businesses need your support, especially now, said Janee Jacobs of Sweet Spirit Foods. The company, located in Oklahoma City, offers a variety of food products, including barbecue sauces, jalapeño peppers, pickles and baby corn, jams, preserves, salsa and more. The company also has a license to market a line of OSU Barbecue Sauce.   “Since 2003, FAPC has been a lifeline to Sweet Spirit Foods,” Jacobs said. “When you are starting a new business, you have so many questions, and FAPC has the answers you need. They have been instrumental in helping us get to where we are today. When we don't know what to do, or how to do it, but want to do it right, we turn to FAPC.” LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET SPIRIT FOODS

Featured Research

Value-added Products from Pecan Nutshells Current research in FAPC's oil and oilseed processing area includes examining value-added processing of pecan nutshells for producing extracts with antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial activity. The research has already demonstrated crude pecan shell extracts prepared in the laboratory exhibit anticancer and antimicrobial activity. The objectives of the ongoing research include 1) preparation of extracts from the pecan cultivars grown in Oklahoma and evaluation of their effect on common food pathogens, 2) optimization of processes to enhance antimicrobial activity of the crude extracts and 3) testing efficacy of the extracts for sanitizing whole pecan nuts and extending shelf life of meat-based products.

Featured Video

2020 Impacts Last year was one like no other; a year of uncertainty with impacts on the food industry created by the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the changes seen in 2020, FAPC has been a bright spot of innovation and growth. “The past year has definitely come with its challenges, but FAPC and the food industry moved steadily through 2020. FAPC continued to support food processors and serve as a resource for the industry.” - Roy Escoubas, FAPC Director

Featured Photo

Gov. Stitt Tours FAPC FAPC was honored to welcome Gov. Kevin Stitt to the center for an interactive tour Jan. 21. Gov. Stitt saw firsthand projects in meat processing, milling and baking, sensory and more. FAPC faculty and staff always love sharing their work and dedication to helping promote the food and agricultural industry in Oklahoma.

The Food Files Podcast & Value-Added Voice Blog

FAPC Predicts Top Food Trends for 2021 In this episode of The Food Files, host Darren Scott talks food trends with Andrea Graves, FAPC business planning and marketing specialist. FAPC predicts the top 10 food trends for 2021, and the duo dives in and discusses each trend. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Top 10 To-Do List for Food Companies In the latest Value-Added Voice blog post, Andrea Graves, FAPC business planning and marketing specialist, discusses a to-do list for food companies to conquer during the first of the year when things might be slower than usual. READ THE BLOG ARTICLE

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