 Midwest Food Processors Association News Bulletin - January 8, 2015
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens
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Food Nutrtition To Be Considered By Congress
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 The new Republican Congress is about to take on school nutrition as they begin work to reauthorize the law governing such programs. Last year MWFPA worked with congressional allies through the American Fruit and Vegetable Processors and Growers Coalition successfully supporting the establishment of a pilot program allowing all forms of fruits and vegetables in the federal School Snack Program. Previously, MWFPA has worked to protect the flexibility of schools to serve healthy fruits and vegetables in all forms in the National School lunch and breakfast programs. Continue reading. Top of Page
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Vermont GMO Law Has Court Hearing
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On Wednesday Vermont U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss heard oral arguments in the food industry's challenge to Vermont's GMO labeling law.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association and several other trade organizations filed the lawsuit against the state after it passed a law last year requiring food manufacturers and retailers to label certain products containing genetically modified ingredients.
According to one report, Reiss questioned the value of labels that tell consumers something they already know, given that it is generally accepted that 90 percent of the corn and large percentages of other commodity crops in the United States are grown with genetically engineered seeds.
MWFPA has opposed legislation calling for mandatory labeling of GMO products as there is no scientific evidence that they pose health or safety concerns. Consumers who wish to purchase non-GMO products can do so now by purchasing products labled "Certified Organic" or "Non-GMO."
If Vermont prevails in this lawsuit pressure will build on Congress to pass legislation pre-empting such laws. A revised version of a pre-emption bill proposed last year by Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., is expected to be introduced this year.
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Budget, Transportation Funding Facing MN Legislature
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 With a more than $1 billion surplus, MN state legislators say the prospect of a government shutdown over the 2016-17 budget is unlikely. That $1 billion, however, will barely cover spending increases under current law. Meanwhile, House Republicans say they want to cut taxes to make the state friendlier to business. Meanwhile, Gov. Dayton supports a gas sales tax at the wholesale level, as well as a metro-area tax increase for transit projects. Some Republicans have suggested tapping general fund dollars for transportation projects or asking the Transportation Department to spend money more efficiently. The ability of MN's roads and bridges to be both safe and have capacity is important to MWFPA members. Read more. Top of Page |
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Quinn Issues Executive Order On IL Illegal lmmigrants
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Outgoing IL Gov. Pat Quinn issued two executive orders he said were aimed at making the state more welcoming to illegal immigrants.
Quinn took executive action to curb deportations and give work permits to immigrants who came to Illinois illegally. He also issued an order prohibiting state law enforcement agencies from stopping anyone based solely on citizenship or immigration status, or from detaining anyone based only on an immigration detainer or administrative warrant. MWFPA continues to monitor the progress of immigration reform, especially in the areas regarding agricultural worker programs and E-verify requirements. The Association supports immigration reform that will allow more legal immigrants to work in the U.S., while protecting businesses that follow legal hiring practices. |
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WI Legislature Begins 2015 Session
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 WI's two-year legislative session began Monday with Gov. Scott Walker and lawmakers taking their oaths of office.
Republicans will control state government for the third straight session after Walker won a second term in November and the GOP expanded their majorities in the Assembly and the Senate.
The number one issue is the state budget which faces a $1.5 billion to $2.2 billion budget shortfall, depending upon the source. The governor is expected to reveal his funding plan in early February.
Among specific issues of importance to food manufacturing, the state Department of Transportation wants $751 million in higher gas taxes and fees to plug its own budget gap.
Additionally, it is expected that legislation will be introduced to restrict what recipients of the federal food stamp program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), can buy with that assistance. Other issues to be addressed by the Legislature include high capacity well permits, implements of husbandry permitting and surface water regulations.
Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine) has already introduced a bill to increase the minimum wage in Wisconsin. In addition to raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, the bill also indexes the minimum wage to increase annually going forward.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Wisconsin Lift Truck Corp. 
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Did You Remember Your 2015 Membership Dues?
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 Did you remember to submit you membership dues for 2015? Members are encouraged to send in their contribution as soon as possible.
And when paying your dues, you can also take the opportunity to contribute to the MWFPA Scholarship fund! All invoices contain a convenient check-off box. Scholarships may be applied for by any child of a member in good standing.
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your membership, please contact Brian Deschane at 608-255-9946, or [email protected].
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MWFPA Scholarships Available!
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 Applications for the MWFPA Scholarship and Friday/Weckel Scholarships are now available.
The MWFPA Scholarship may award up to $2,000 (depending on availability of funds) in scholarship money to deserving children of parents or guardians who are employees of MWFPA member companies. They must also be a high school senior or post-secondary student accepted into, or attending any post-secondary school, in the United States.
Applications will be accepted until March 2, 2015. The scholarships will be awarded in April, 2015. Last year six students received $1,000 scholarships
Undergraduate students attending, or planning to attend, UW Madison, Platteville or River Falls are eligible for Friday/Weckel scholarships. Applications are due by April 30, 2015. 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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MWFPA Annual Report Released
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 MWFPA's 2014 annual report is available for online viewing or download.
To view a copy online, click the image at right. The report provides a snapshot of MWFPA's 2014 successes and highlights the many services provided to MWFPA members over the year.
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MWFPA Leadership Seminars Coming January 20 & 22 - Don't Wait, Register Now!
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"ACHIEVE RESULTS THROUGH LEADERSHIP"
Seminars
Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - Midwest Food Processor Association Offices, 4600 American Parkway Thursday, January 22, 2015 - Kahler Apache Hotel,1517 16th Street SW, Rochester, MN
Leaders are the backbone of any organization and the beginning of the new year is the right time for you to refocus on developing your upcoming leaders.
The Midwest Food Processors Association presents an interactive, blended learning course incorporating technology-based solutions that will help you develop and prepare your next generation of leaders.
Should you need additional information: Phone: 608.255.9946; Fax: 608.255.9838; or Email: [email protected].
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Registration Open For Food Processors Safety Conference/Exp
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 MWFPA is once again proud to offer an opportunity for health and safety conscious individuals to gather and learn from experts and peers on how to best address today's food processing safety, health and compliance issues. The hottest topics affecting industrial safety will be covered at the 10th Annual Food Processors Safety Conference/Expo, February 11-12, 2015 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
- This conference provides attendees the tools and practical applications needed to solve their toughest food processing environment safety issues.
- The conference will showcase numerous "Best Practices" - designed to address the role of safety and health in the field of food processing.
There will also be a pre-conference professional development course on February 11, 2015 on "Effective Team Safety" led by
Bill Koepnick, President, Professional Training Services, Inc. Participants will be provided the expertise needed to make their safety committee a success.
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USDA Makes $15 M In Fellowship Grants Available
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 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is making available more than $15 million for fellowships to train and develop the next generation of scientists who will lead agriculture into the future by solving current and future challenges facing society.
NIFA will support pre- and post-doctoral fellowships, and for the first time, undergraduate fellowships. NIFA funds the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). Funded fellowships will span the six AFRI challenge areas (food security, water, climate change, food safety, childhood obesity prevention, and sustainable bioenergy) and the AFRI foundational program areas.
Applications for the pre- and post-doctoral fellows are due on February 11, 2015. Letters of intent for the undergraduate fellowships are due on February 18, 2015, with full applications due May 6, 2015.
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January 14, 2015: Meeting of MWFPA Human Resources Committee, 10:00 a.m., MWFPA Offices - Madison, WI.
February 11-12, 2015: MWFPA/WSC Safety Conference. Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI. Cosponsored by MWFPA and the Wisconsin Safety Council, the conference provides attendees the tools and practical applications needed to solve their toughest food processing safety issues.
April, 2014: MWFPA Sanitation Seminar. June 4, 2015 - Spring Summit & Scramble. Trappers Turn Golf Course, Wisconsin Dells, WI. December 1-3, 2015 - MWFPA 111th Annual Convention and 88th Processing Crops Conference. KI Convention Center, Green Bay, WI. |
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Other Educational Opportunities
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January 12-14 & 13-15, 2015: Process Safety Management Audits For Compliance and Continuous Safety Improvement.The Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison, Wisconsin. This interactive workshop format will show you how to conduct high-performance, effective process safety management systems audits. For more information, click here and here. . February 16-20, 2015: Industrial Refrigeration Workshop. Crowne Plaza Charlotte Executive Park Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. A one-week intensive short course on industrial refrigeration as practiced in food freezing, refrigeration, and in other low temperature applications. For registration information, click here. March 16-19, 2015: Better Process Control School. Pyle Center, University of Wisconsin, 702 Langdon St., Madison, WI. Training for individuals who supervise critical food processing operations. For a brochure and registration information, click here.
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 Sponsor the MWFPA News Bulletin
By becoming a sponsor of the MWFPA News Bulletin, your banner will be viewed by a very targeted group of food processors, in addition to persons, firms and corporations that provide technology, logistics, ingredients and packaging to the food processing industry.
Contact [email protected], or call (608) 255-9946, ext. 11. |
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