Join Today - Northwest Food Processors Association
Transcription
Join Today - Northwest Food Processors Association
Processor Membership Makes Good Business Sense for Your Company… Join NWFPA Today! Serving as an ADVOCATE and RESOURCE for Northwest Food Processing Industry Member Companies since 1914 Dear Food Industry Leaders: Food processing is a foundational cornerstone of the Northwest regional economy, with a regional economic impact of $42 billion and more than 75,000 employees. Our vision for our industry’s success in the new economy is to connect our member companies with state-of-the-art innovation, productivity, sustainability and energy efficiency resources: emerging industries, innovative supplier companies, government agencies and educational and research institutions. By leveraging nearly a century’s worth of collective industry knowledge, we help our members collaborate, innovate, incubate, transfer and adopt new technologies. We’re the Northwest Food Processors Association, and we exist to advocate for our members’ interests and serve as a resource to enhance their competitive capabilities in an increasingly global marketplace. As a company participating in this remarkable industry, we invite you to become a member of Northwest Food Processors Association, the region-wide association dedicated to connecting your company to the resources it needs to survive and prosper. NWFPA provides a robust advocacy base for your industry, working every day to represent, enhance and manage member interests through regulatory advocacy, government relations, crisis management, publications, workforce training and education, networking opportunities and other member services. Since 1914, NWFPA has built a reputation as the largest regional food processing trade association in North America, and as a trusted third-party resource for industry insights and innovation. The knowledge and expertise of our veteran staff is unmatched in the industry – our experts manage core priority areas including food safety, government affairs, state legislative lobbying, innovation and productivity, sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental affairs. Our industry-chaired committees combine their expertise to address significant regulatory and policy concerns and find solutions that protect the interests of the entire Northwest food processing industry. As a NWFPA processor or supplier member, you will be an insider, with direct access to your peers in this dynamic industry – CEOs and senior managers of some of the world’s most successful food processing companies. Networking at our annual events – the NW Food Manufacturing & Packaging Expo in January, the Executive Business Summit in May and the Autumn Assembly of Committees in September – provide invaluable time to build personal relationships and exchange information and ideas. We are confident in knowing that the work we do matters and that you will recognize the value and benefit of partnering with Northwest Food Processors Association – your resource and advocate in the Northwest. Sincerely, David Zepponi President 2 Contents Letter to Food Industry Leaders........................................................... 2 Mission Statement.................................................................................. 3 Mission Statement What Is NWFPA?....................................................................................... 4 Northwest Food Processors Who Are NWFPA’s Members?................................................................ 4 Association is an ADVOCATE for members’ interests and a RESOURCE for enhancing their competitive capabilities. Why Should You Join NWFPA?.............................................................. 4 The Value of Membership in NWFPA................................................5-7 Membership Categories......................................................................... 8 Leadership Structure.............................................................................. 9 Committee Profiles............................................................................ 9-10 Programs and Events............................................................................ 11 Publications............................................................................................ 12 Processor Members............................................................................... 13 Accomplishments............................................................................ 14-15 Join Today! www.nwfpa.org 3 WHAT IS NWFPA? Formed in 1914, the Northwest Food Processors Association (NWFPA) serves as an ADVOCATE for the interests of member food processors in Idaho, Oregon and Washington and as an INFORMATION RESOURCE to enhance their competitive capabilities. Association services include providing up-to-date information on the important issues impacting the industry including the following areas: Food Safety and Security, Energy and Environmental Affairs, Innovation & Productivity, and Governmental Affairs. The Association also conducts several annual events, targeted to the food processing industry, featuring speakers and programming of value to their membership. WHO ARE NWFPA’S MEMBERS? NWPFA’s membership is comprised of 450 member companies, including 72 food processing companies with hundreds of production facilities throughout the Northwest region. Our members operate food processing facilities located throughout the Northwest Region. Member companies include fruit and vegetable processors, and over the past several years added seafood, dairy, bakeries, specialty and fresh-cut. Any food company adding a thermal or other processing step before market is eligible for membership. In addition to our processor members, over 350 industry supplier and affiliate members participate as vital partners of NWFPA. By becoming a member of NWFPA your company will become a part of the largest regional food processing industry association in America. WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN NWFPA? By joining NWFPA, your company will have access to a professional staff along with information and resources to help you remain competitive and strong in a volatile business climate. NWFPA provides “real world” advice and tools that you can apply to your operations — strengthening the ties to your customers and the community you serve. 4 Making an impact This is an exciting time to be a part of this growing community we call NWFPA. Together, we have become a regional community of food processing industry professionals, product manufacturers and packagers and service providers all striving for the same goal. The support and knowledge of this community is critical to reaching your full potential. NWFPA is truly a leader in the industry, constantly evolving to address the progressive needs of the food processing industry. As you experience NWFPA you will continue to discover the many benefits. The people you meet quickly become your contacts for success. Those contacts, through time, will become strong and lasting relationships and friends for life. understanding the value of membership NWFPA is recognized regionally and nationally as a leading professional association and authoritative voice for the food processing industry, supporting its vision to be the leader in promoting and enhancing the well-being of the industry and the companies it serves. NWFPA is the proven RESOURCE for the food processing industry professional looking for real answers to the toughest questions, an association with its finger on the pulse of the trends and challenges that affect your bottom line. We are excited that you are considering becoming a part of NWFPA. We want you to gain the maximum return on your investment, so we have assembled an array of tools and resources unmatched by any other industry source. Information Resources • • • • Website Regular Communications Publications Annual Membership Directory & Resource Guide Professional Development / Conferences & Meetings • • • • Annual Meeting Spring Executive Business Summit Autumn Assembly of Committees Annual Exposition and Conference in January Leadership Opportunities • Participation on Committees and Boards Advancing the Industry • • • • • Government Affairs Energy Environmental Affairs Operations & Technical Affairs Human Resources & Safety 5 understanding the value of membership (continued) Training, Management Education & Workforce Development • • Co-partner workshops Spanish language supervisor training & other special training programs Networking & Business Development • • • Find food processing industry suppliers on the NWFPA website and in the annual Membership Directory and Resource Guide. Forums enable groups of non-competing food processors to share “best practices” in a confidential atmosphere. Task forces and committees allow you to work with other food processor company members on issues facing the industry and the region. Federal and State Government Advocacy & Public Relations • • NWFPA is actively involved in lobbying efforts and has close ties with the state legislative bodies in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. NWFPA is also actively involved in tracking Federal government legislation that impacts the food processing industry and our region. Member Discounts • Discounted registration fees to attend the annual Expo and workshops in January. • Discounted registration to participate in the annual Autumn Assembly of Committees Golf Tournament and Fishing Derby. • Discounts to attend other special events held throughout the year. Job Bank • • 6 Companies can post job openings and individuals can post resumes on this popular section of the NWFPA website. Postings are now also featured within the Education and Talent Pipeline Pavilion on the SOLUTIONS MARKETPLACE Exhibit Hall floor at the annual NWFPA Expo and Conference. Membership Directory and Resource Guide • The NWFPA Directory gives members access to all current member contact information both in print and online in the Members section of www.NWFPA.org. The Directory also includes a resource guide with supplier member company products and services descriptions and contact information. NW Food Processing Cluster Initiative • • • The Cluster Initiative creates strong relationships between food processors, agriculture and emerging industries. The Cluster facilitates collaboration within the industry between processors, institutions and others. The Cluster leverages and shares knowledge by redefining competitors to create, innovate, and survive in a tough global economy. NWFPA Education & Research Institute (ERI) The Northwest Food Processors Education and Research Institute (ERI) is a non-profit corporation, established as a subsidiary of the Northwest Food Processors Association to provide educational and learning opportunities for students interested in a trade, technical or professional career. ERI provides financial support to students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, internships or matching funds and strives to improve the regional pool and pipeline of talented trade, technical and professional workers. Sustainability NWFPA is embracing a path for a sustainable future by developing new models on how to balance the industry’s social environmental and economic impacts. We are focusing on sustainability issues impacting food processors now and in the future through guidance and education on “how” to address sustainability needs for your industry. Knowledge Exchange NWFPA is developing a Food Processing Industry “Knowledge Exchange” that will encompass a system of face-to-face collaborative meetings and learning experiences combined with a wide variety of online resources designed to help food processors and suppliers to be globally competitive. 7 MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES Processor Member Overview Processor companies include more than 72 food processor member companies in nearly 180 production facilities which employ 55,000 workers throughout the Northwest region. In addition to our processor members, over 350 industry supplier and affiliate members participate as vital partners of NWFPA. By becoming a member of NWFPA your company will become a part of this vital multi-billion dollar food processing industry association. Food Processor Member Any commercial enterprise engaged in processing or manufacturing food products in the states of Idaho, Oregon or Washington are eligible to join as voting members. Membership Benefits: • Access to Issue Managers with expertise in: Environmental Issues including water, air, land, etc; Food Safety & Security including Bioterrorism awareness, plant operations, HACCP, etc; Energy, Human Resources & Workforce Training and Technology • Representation in state, regional and federal legislation affecting the food processing industry. • Opportunities to network with other food processing companies in the Northwest and throughout the world. • Education and information opportunities such as satellite teleconferences, electronic publications, website, etc. • Discounts on NWFPA events including the NW Food Manufacturing & Packaging Exposition, NWFPA’s Executive Business Summit, Golf Tournament. • Limited Committee participation. Associate Processor Member Any commercial enterprise engaged in processing or manufacturing food products in the states of Idaho, Oregon or Washington with gross sales equal to or less than $500,000 may become an Associate. Limited, NonVoting Membership. Membership Benefits: • Regular NWFPA publications including; Food Safety News as well as email alerts on Security and Energy issues. • Valuable discounts on events such as; NWFPA’s Annual NW Food Manufacturing & Packaging Exposition, Executive Business Summit and Golf Tournament. • Human resources support with our people available and jobs available programs. Affiliate Processor Member Any commercial enterprise engaged in processing or manufacturing food products outside the states of Idaho, Oregon or Washington. Limited, Non-Voting Membership. 8 Leadership Structure Board of Directors Processor member companies have the opportunity to become involved in the leadership of NWFPA through representation on a variety of committees that ultimately can lead to serving on the Board of Directors. The Board includes three volunteer Officers and 15 Directors, nominated from Processor member companies. Each Director serves for three years and is elected by the Association membership. Government Affairs & Legislative Activities Government Affairs provides a coordinated voice for all food processors at both the state and federal level. NWFPA focuses on issues facing the food processing industry including food safety and security, environment, transportation, productivity, innovation and energy. NWFPA’s mission is to serve as an advocate for the common interest of our members and as a resource to enhance the industrys’ competitive capabilities. Committee Structures NWFPA currently has more than 20 volunteer-run Committees and Task Forces. Committees are established by the Board of Directors and have the distinction of being permanent or “standing.” Task Forces can be established by the Board of Directors or a Committee Chair, and are usually created with a specific task in mind. Each committee is an important operating force of the NWFPA structure. Committee Profiles Processor member company employees have the opportunity to become involved and serve on a variety of committees. Executive Committee The Executive Committee functions as the policy-making and management of body of the Association between Board meetings. The Executive Committee performs initial reviews of proposals for major Association activities and presents recommendations to the Board. The Executive Committee also plans and supervises the Executive Business Summit. Government Affairs Committee The purpose of the Government Affairs Committee is to increase food processors’ effectiveness in influencing the decisions and actions of Congress and federal agencies. 9 Committee Profiles (continued) Operations and Technical Affairs Committee Promote competitiveness and regulatory compliance by focusing broadly on the technical aspects of production management including: operations, security, food safety, engineering, packaging, and regulatory compliance. Environmental Affairs Committee The purpose of the Environmental Affairs Committee is to assist NWFPA members in dealing with matters of environmental concern by improving the communication between state and federal regulatory agencies and NWFPA members. Monitor the actions of national food processing associations as they relate to environmental matters, and render assistance to members in their contacts with regulatory agencies. Energy Committee The Energy Committee’s mission is to enhance productivity and competitiveness through promoting improved energy and resource use efficiency and advocating the membership’s energy and resource interests. Finance Committee The Finance Committee oversees NWFPA’s financial administration, budgeting, insurance coverage, staff compensation, and benefits programs. The Finance Committee reviews the Association’s fiscal budget and presents recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval. Endowment Steering Committee The Endowment Steering Committee members act as advisors for the Endowment Fund. The Committee contracts and interacts with the Fund administrator, provides guidelines for scholarship and research grant selections and distributions, approves awards and direct fundraising activities. The Committee is the decision maker for all Endowment activities within Board policy. Innovation Productivity Center (IPC) Advisory Committee Members of the IPC Advisory Committee act as advisors to the developers of the NW Food Processors Innovation & Productivity Center, a subsidiary of NWFPA. Event Committee NWFPA Event Committee reviews and determines the schedule, program, subjects, speakers, budget, financing, and other matters pertaining to NWFPA events such as the NW Food Manufacturing & Packaging Expo and the Annual Golf Tournament. Political Action Committees Profiles Oregon and Washington PAC The Oregon and Washington FOODPACs are organizations that are independent of NWFPA and act autonomously on political action. Each PAC is self-funded and organized to work on initiatives and candidate campaigns in the electoral process. NWFPA volunteers staff and administrative support to each PAC but has no authority over funds or activities. Both PACs are IRS code “527” organizations. 10 Programs & Events Annual Northwest Food Manufacturing & Packaging Exposition and Conference Held in January, it is the largest regional food manufacturing tradeshow in North America and attracts about 3,500 food processing industry professionals from across the country. In addition to featuring almost 400 exhibitor booths, the event offers industry relevant education sessions with information and dynamic speakers to encourage a broad based attendance by food process company personnel. Annual NWFPA Executive Business Summit An exclusive retreat in the spring for NWFPA food processor executives, delegates who meet to exchange ideas on important issues affecting the food processing industry. Annual NWFPA Autumn Assembly of Committees Golf Tournament & Fishing Derby NWFPA’s Autumn Assembly Golf Tournament runs in conjunction with the fall Board of Directors meeting and Committee Week. It is the perfect way to relax, play golf, and build lasting relationships with leaders in the food industry. Other Events & Programs Produced or Co-Produced by NWFPA Annual NW Food Safety & Sanitation Workshop & Exhibit Show Co-Sponsored by NWFPA and Washington State University, the Food Safety & Sanitation Workshop is recognized as one of the top sanitation conferences in America. NW Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit This invitation only event brings together executives from a broad cross-section of Northwest industry, state and federal legislators, state and federal energy-related agencies, utilities and industry associations. Collectively, these leaders will identify energy issues challenging Northwest industries and lay the groundwork for a regionally sustainable collaboration aimed to develop and implement important energy, carbon, and cost-saving strategies while maintaining local and global competitiveness. 11 Message from the Chair 22 Expo 2010 Roundup 4 4 Member Innovation Spotlight 6 6 Official PublicatiOn Of NW reports Spring 2010 Edition Message Received: Now for the Response By Craig Smith, NWFPA Vice President, Environmental Affairs All politics are fundamentally about money and power. Follow the money and the power behind it, and you will likely be able to predict the outcome of a political decision. The 2010 legislative sessions in Oregon and Washington have once again confirmed this truth, and the take-home message for NWFPA is very sobering. W ashington and Oregon leveled unprecedented attacks against business interests in 2010, with both legislatures sending a clear message to their industry base, “in an era of huge budget deficits, industry and particularly food processors, are a low-risk source of much-needed tax revenue.” the 2010 legislative sessions brought very mixed results for nWfPa. in some ways, we had a tremendous session, pulling off a couple wins that were very much long shots in light of severe budget deficits and supermajority Democratic control in both Oregon and Washington. On the positive side, we were able to engineer critical wins in both states on the issue of banning bisphenol a (bPa), modify the Washington greenhouse gas rule, and protect iPc funding. However, when it came to taxes, money and electoral power, the tide turned with a vengeance. in Oregon, nWfPa and a number of our member companies joined forces with associated Oregon industries and other industry groups to oppose two tax measures that the Oregon legisla- ture had referred to the people; ballot measures 66 & 67. combined, these two measures represent the single largest income tax increase in Oregon history; and to make matters worse, it was retroactive. the public labor unions, teachers and state workers, spent $9 million on media in support of the measures -- they passed. the unions who control the money and the legislators, who control the power, prevailed. but the legislature was not done. adding insult to injury, the legislature decided to fund an expansion of the state budget during the “special session” and did so by raiding agency fund balances. they “swept” $400,000 from the food Safety account, money which came from food processors and grocers to pay for the inspection services of the Oregon Department of agriculture. We were not able to stop them. the clear message from the legislature: “We will tax you and sweep your funds because we don’t think you can do anything about it, and we are not concerned about your industry.” in Washington, the message was continued on page 5 Insider ENVIRONMENTAL Special Edition: CLIMATE CHANGE EDITOR’S NOTE: This edition of Environmental Insider takes a look at the current state of the debate over Climate Change. With the release of the Western Climate Initiative’s draft design principles for a regional cap-and-trade program, the debate is intensifying over how states should respond via legislative and regulatory action. Additionally, Congress is now debating requirements for publicly traded companies to disclose risks associated with climate change. And, as if it wasn’t already complicated enough, new scientific findings are being released that call to question some of the key assumptions that have been relied upon to declare global warming an imminent threat to the global community. An editorial from Oregonian writer David Reinhard outlines some of the new science “facts” and suggests that maybe it is time for all of us to “chill out”. Regardless of the science, what is becoming crystal clear is that the options for dealing with climate change are extremely expensive. In an era of shrinking state budgets, implementing any significant legislative initiative that carries a multi-billion dollar price tag, will be extremely difficult. The next twelve months will be critical, as the 2009 legislative session will prove to be the watershed session for climate-related legislation. Keep tuned and hold on to your checkbooks. WCI RELEASES DRAFT CAP-AND-TRADE DESIGN T he Western Climate Initiative (WCI) has released the final draft design document for a regional cap-and-trade program. The key recommendations are outlined in this article. To access the entire 10-page document go to http:// www.westernclimateinitiative.org/ewebeditpro/items/O104F18808. PDF. Once the recommendations are finalized, they will be forwarded to member states for adoption by the individual state legislatures. Oregon and Washington are members of the WCI, Idaho is an observer and has not agreed to participate in the cap-and-trade program. In This Issue… WCI Releases Draft ......... 1 Draft Design Principles – Some Thoughts ............ 2 Disputes Over Leakage ... 3 SEC Urged to Act on Climate Change Rules..... 5 Global Warming Consensus....................... 6 COMING EVENTS .......... 7 © Aug. 2008. All Rights Reserved. NWFPA Environmental Insider is an exclusive member service and is not to be copied or reproduced without written permission from NWFPA. CRAIG SMITH V.P., Issues Management [email protected] Office: 503.371.3123 PAM BARROW The program will cover emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. • The cap will cover stationary sources. Transportation and other mobile sources will be included but not until the second compliance period in 2015. • The cap will include all covered sources that emit over 25,000 metric tons of CO2 or equivalent covered gases. • Agriculture and forestry will not be included in the cap and trade (they will be uncapped sectors). The Northwest Food Processors Association produces many publications in both print and electronic format as an information resource to our members. Copies of the following publications, either in print or electronically, are available by request to NWFPA members. Northwest Reports As the primary publication of NWFPA, Northwest Reports gives you the news of the Association including New Members, People & Positions Available, Upcoming Events, Industry News, etc. Northwest Reports keeps you informed on the happenings of the NWFPA Board of Directors and Committees, and is a great summary of the news and events of the Northwest food processing industry. Northwest Reports is printed three times a year, in conjunction with NWFPA’s three main events: NW Food Manufacturing & Packaging Expo, Executive Business Summit, and Autumn Committee Assembly & Golf Tournament. Northwest Reports provides an excellent vehicle for advertising and issue sponsorship. Advertising and sponsorship rates and publication specifications are available upon request. Environmental Insider [email protected] Phone: 503.327.2205 NWFPA 8338 NE Alderwood Road, Ste. 160 Portland, OR 97220 P: 503.327.2200 • F: 503.327.2201 Web: www.nwfpa.org Here is a summary of the draft recommendations: • Publications Keeping up-to-date on environmental issues can make a huge difference in the performance and profitability of your company. The Environmental Insider is a monthly e-publication designed to provide you with information and analysis on the latest environmental issues and regulations that affect Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, as well as give you the heads-up on National concerns. Food Safety News Special EXECUTIVE BUSINESS SUMMIT Edition This special edition of our monthly Catalyst newsletter describes some of the major programs which are represented in our Executive Business Summit Poster Session. If you were not able to attend the poster session, this will provide a quick summary and if you were, this issue will provide a reminder of what each poster covered and help you remember its key points. Each poster represents a major initiative which the NWFPA has undertaken - together with its association members - to help make our regional industry a world leader. Three of these initiatives – the Knowledge Exchange, Innovation, and Productivity are powerful enablers for the others. The Knowledge Exchange is being developed to promote cross-company and cross-industry collaboration through both face-to-face and web-based exchanges, sharing of knowledge such as case-studies and best practices, and a common roadmap framework to help each industry member design their unique approach to achieve more prosperity. The Innovation Program is designed 12 to help our industry grow by providing links and resources to help you learn about developing an innovation mindset, learn to apply innovation at both the plant and corporate levels, and promoting creativity at all levels in the organization. In addition, (and the Knowledge Exchange is an example of this), we can apply innovative new ways to work together as a whole industry to address common needs and problems and create opportunities for further growth. The Productivity Program helps us to lower the costs and the wastes associated with creating and delivering value. Productivity savings provides not only improved profits but should be reinvested in part into innovation, building competitiveness, and developing new paradigms of operation for our businesses. Innovation is closely linked to productivity in that many innovations serve to directly increase productivity through technology, software, metrics, reporting and plant automation. The newly emerging Sustainability program is being member-designed to help provide inspiration and guidelines which companies can use to guide individual sustainability programs. Although sustainability is now generally accepted to mean the interwoven goals of economic, environmental and social sustainability, it is challenging for each company to determine what this means to them when it gets down to the details. Our goal is to facilitate member driven and collaborative efforts to define and realize these important and challenging goals. Closely related to sustainability is our Energy Efficiency Program. NWFPA, working with the Department of En- Table of Contents Knowledge Exchange…………………2 Sustainability…………………………...3 Productivity……………………………..4 Innovation………………………………5 Strategic Energy……………………….6 Energy Intensity Baseline…………….7 Workforce Development………………8 Rural Competitiveness………………..9 Transportation………………………..10 Food Safety…………………………..11 ergy, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) and others created a very challenging and important goal of achieving 25 percent energy intensity reduction in 10 years and 50 percent reduction in 20 years. We are planning our third annual energy summit for Jan 2011 and have already made great strides in this nationally recognized program. NWFPA has received several significant government grants to develop this program. Other program areas include our Rural Competitiveness, Workforce Development, and Food Safety programs. Each of these programs are being run with the close involvement of our industry associates – that means you and your companies. We hope this Catalyst gives you a glimpse into some of our major efforts to enhance our industry in a collaborative way and hope you will find ways to increase your personal involvement. Food safety is a vital issue to anyone in the food industry. Keep yourself and your company updated with the latest information on Bioterrorism, HACCP, Recalls, Health Issues, Food Safety & Security legislation, and much more. FSN is a bi-weekly news media reporting service designed to provide NWFPA members with the information they need to keep their companies running smoothly. IPC Catalyst The Catalyst is produced on a regular basis by the Innovation Productivity Center staff and provides insightful information about projects and services provided by IPC to the Food Processing Industry. Processor Members Ajimnomoto Frozen Foods USA Inc. Bare Fruit Snacks Basic American Foods Beaverton Foods Inc. Berryhill Foods Inc. Birds Eye Foods Inc. (Pinnacle Foods Group) Bridgetown Bakery Boardman Foods Inc. Wm. Bolthouse Farms Inc. Bybee Foods LLC Columbia Empire Farms Inc. ConAgra Foods-Lamb Weston Continental Mills Inc. Darigold Inc. Del Monte Foods DePaul Industries, Food & Consumer Goods Packaging Enfield Farms Inc. Ever Fresh Fruit Company Foster Farms Four Seasons Foods Fruithill Inc. Garden Valley Corp., dba Inland Empire Foods Givaudan Gray & Company Harry’s Fresh Foods Heinz Frozen Food Company Hood River Juice Company Independent Food Processors Co. Kerr Concentrates Inc. Kettle Foods Inc. Kraft Foods North America McCain Foods USA Inc. Mike & Jean’s Berry Farm Milne Fruit Products Inc. National Food Corp. National Frozen Foods Corp. New Season Foods Inc. NORPAC Foods Inc. North Pacific Seafoods Inc. Northwest Packing Co. Nutriom LLC Oakdell Egg Farms Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. Oregon Cherry Growers Inc. Oregon Freeze Dry Inc. Oregon Fruit Products Co. Pacific Seafood Group Pinnacle Foods Group (Birds Eye Foods Inc.) Quincy Foods RainSweet Inc. Real Foods Richmond Baking Rite Stuff Foods Inc. Royal Ridge Fruits Sabroso Company Sakuma Bros. Processing Inc. Scenic Fruit Company Seneca Foods Corp. J.R. Simplot Company Small Planet Foods Smith Frozen Foods Inc. Smucker Fruit Processing Company Snokist Growers SVZ-USA Inc. Tillamook County Creamery Assoc. Tim’s Cascade Snacks Townsend Farms Inc. Tree Top Inc. Truitt Bros. Inc. Twin City Foods Inc. UniSea Foods Inc. Valley Fresh Foods Inc. Valley Processing Inc. Washington Department of Corrections, Correctional Industries Food Group Wilcox Farms WILD Flavors Inc. Willamette Egg Farms LLC Willamette Valley Fruit Co. Yaquina Bay Fruit Processors YoCream International Inc. 13 Accomplishments Government Affairs Energy NWFPA’s Government Affairs efforts, led by the Government Affairs Committee, are focused on protecting our members’ interests in the Idaho, Oregon and Washington legislatures and in Washington, D.C. The Association is represented by one of the best lobby teams in the Northwest. Following on the NWFPA Board’s adoption of a goal to reduce industry-wide energy intensity (energy use per unit of product) by 25% in 10 years, NWFPA began development of the NWFPA Energy Roadmap. The Roadmap will provide guidance for individual company efforts and will identify opportunities for participation and support by our food processing cluster partners. At a workshop in late 2008, NWFPA members identified more than 500 potential energy efficiency activities; the Roadmap will be used to guide their implementation. Over the past two years, much of this work has been focused on legislative budget battles, fighting a ban on Bisphenol A (BPA) in Washington and Oregon, working to stop cap and trade legislation and improving state carbon reporting rules. NWFPA staff has also offered testimony and comments on a variety of federal issues, including the Food Safety Reform bill, federal cap and trade legislation and the “Restoring America’s Manufacturing Leadership Through Energy Efficiency Act of 2009” (S.661) in the U.S. Congress. • NWFPA has played a key role in defeating bills that would have banned the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in food containers in both Oregon and Washington, devastating the canning industry. • NWFPA also had major wins on climate change rules and cap and trade legislation. After killing the cap and trade bills in Oregon and Washington in 2009, we did not even see an attempt to introduce the concept in the 2010 session. • NWFPA increased the profile of the Association and its members through testimony on Oregon’s Energy Efficiency Tax Credit, the federal Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Roadmap, Oregon’s expanded bottle bill and product stewardship legislation, Washington’s risk-based food safety programs, and the Oregon food safety budget. In addition, through the efforts of the Oregon and Washington Food PACs and member participation in the Idaho Prosperity Fund, PAC members contributed to successful elections throughout the region. During the last legislative cycle: • Idaho Prosperity Fund: 45 of 51 endorsed candidates won their races. • Oregon Food PAC: 15 of 17 endorsed candidates won their races. • Washington Food PAC: All 18 endorsed candidates won their races. 14 This year, NWFPA and IPC completed the pilot studies for the three “foundational” projects in the Energy Roadmap, which will provide valuable information upon which to build Roadmap pathways: The Energy Intensity Baseline Project determines the members’ current aggregated energy intensity. The NWFPA goal is a 25% reduction from this baseline. The Access to Energy Data Project is based in the axiom “what gets measured gets managed.” The Assessments & Mapping Project seeks to identify the plant processes that use the most energy and the efficiency measures that apply to these processes. This information will focus Roadmap efforts in the most important areas. NWFPA has obtained more than $600,000 in grants from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and the U.S. Department of Energy to support these projects in 2010-2011. Environmental Affairs & Sustainability In the Environmental Affairs arena, NWFPA’s regulatory efforts are primarily focused on limiting the negative impacts of new environmental reporting and regulatory rules on food processors in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. NWFPA’s Environmental Affairs staff works closely with officials in all three states to help shape the direction of key environmental policy directions. In recent years, these efforts have included: • Mitigating complex greenhouse gas reporting bills in Oregon and Washington, and working behind the scenes to kill cap and trade legislation before it could come to a vote. • Submitting extensive comments on state stormwater rules. • Analyzing corporate sustainability initiatives to assess their impacts on members. • Meeting directly with key state and federal regulatory officials to discuss an industry approach to greenhouse gas emissions and reporting, stormwater rules and other regulatory initiatives • Participating on state GHG and stormwater advisory committees. • Inviting nationally-recognized regulatory and sustainability experts to speak at annual NWFPA events, such as Expo, the Autumn Assembly of Committees and the Executive Business Summit. • Appointing a Sustainability Task Force to develop a “Framework for Sustainability” for NWFPA members. Food Safety & Security The NWFPA Operations and Technical Affairs program’s primary goal is to manage the association’s involvement in and information sharing of new and changing food statutes and regulation at the federal and state levels. Typical activities include: • Conducting a webinar to familiarize NWFPA members with the Reportable Food Registry — the so-called 24-hour rule — went into effect on September 8, 2009, requiring processors to report contaminated foods within 24 hours of determination. • Contracting with Pacific Northwest National Laboratories to develop the first rapid (8-hour) test for Listeria monocytogenes, one of the deadliest food-borne pathogens. The new test DNA-based methodology, based of technology developed by the Department of Homeland Security, will be ready for testing by October 2010. • Throughout the year, the OTA staff and committee work to strengthen long-standing relationships with the key regulatory officials overseeing NWFPA member plants. One highlight was the visit to Expo 2010 by Food and Drug Administration Deputy Commissioner Michael Taylor just days after the establishment of the new Office of Foods. In addition to a keynote address outlining new directions for the agency, Taylor made time for a briefing on the NWFPA Listeria rapid test project, evening networking with key industry leaders, and a tri-state meeting with NW state and federal regulators. • NWFPA’s involvement in the powerful Association of Food and Drug Officials has led to important new relationships at the regional and national level that assist members with access to regulatory influence. • NWFPA took home the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Outstanding Cooperator of the Year Award for its collaboration with ODA and others in the areas of food safety, energy, and transportation. Innovation Productivity Center NWFPA’s Innovation Productivity Center was created in 2008 to position the Northwest food processing industry to compete successfully in the global marketplace by identifying and developing more effective ways to improve productivity and enable innovation, and by educating and guiding companies in the adoption of these practices. Through IPC workshops, collaborations and online resources, NWFPA shares its 96 years of direct industry experience for the improvement of its members’ competitive position. IPC activities include: • Development of the IPC Knowledge Exchange, a state-of-the-art combination of interactive online tools and resources and face-to-face workshops and symposia. • The creation of a new Rural Food Processors Initiative, focused on bringing key competitive resources, including innovation, productivity, energy efficiency and leadership tools, directly to food processors in rural Idaho, Oregon and Washington communities. • Community outreach efforts focused on well-attended technical workshops held throughout the Northwest. • Funding the creation of an innovative “Green Shipper” program designed to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and yield significant transportation cost savings by reducing empty backhauls and consolidating less-than-full loads. • IPC is also extremely active in the workforce development arena, particularly in the development of Linn-Benton Community College’s successful Mechatronics program. 15 Northwest Food Processors Association 8338 NE Alderwood Street, Suite 160 Portland, OR 97220 Join Today! For additional information about membership and to obtain an application, contact: Northwest Food Processors Association Direct line: 503.327.2200 email: [email protected] www.nwfpa.org