TopofPageMidwest Food Products Association News Bulletin  - August 31, 2017   
In This Issue
THANK YOU TO OUR 2017 CONVENTION SPONSORS
 THUS FAR

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD
SPONSORS


BRONZE SPONSORS
Crites Seed, Inc.

Syngenta
Pro Active Solutions

GENERAL
 SPONSORS



The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens
Bug Blocker
Have You Reserved Your Booth For The MWFPA Convention?  Don't Wait -Get Your Space Today!!
Have you reserved your booth for MWFPA's annual convention and trade show being held at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN, November 28th - 30th?
 
If not, what are you waiting for?

This is our premier event of the year bringing together leaders in the food processing industry to discuss trends, view new technologies, share expertise, and network with professionals in different companies and disciplines.  This is one event your company won't want to miss!  Space is still available, but it will go fast.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Brian Deschane at: brian.deschane@mwfpa.org or call 608-255-9946. 
 
Register Now For The MWFPA Convention In Rochester, MN
Registration now open for the 2017 MWFPA Annual Convention & Processing Crops Conference! This year's event is set for November 28 - 30, 2017 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN. Go to the convention website where you can find additional details regarding our distinguished speakers, registration, and sponsorship information and download a copy of the registration form . Online registration is also available.
 
The convention draws over 900 attendees and presents the latest products, innovative ideas and technological advances of importance to the food processing industry. 

It also provides attendees with unparalleled opportunities to network with a cross-section of key industry players while at the same time facilitating access to information about trends and developments in the food manufacturing industry.

You can mail your completed registration form to MWFPA at 4600 Am erican Pkwy., Suite 210, Madison, WI 53718, or FAX it to: 608-255-9838.

Be Sure To Get Involved - Become A Convention Sponsor!!  Sponsorships are available for as low as $1,000!

For lodging and additional information, see the MWFPA convention website. If you have any questions, contact Brian Deschane at brian.deschane@mwfpa.org, or call 608-255-9946. 
 
MWFPA Clay Shoot Registration Open Too!
Yes, you can register online for MWFPA's Sporting Clays Challenge set for October 5, 2017 at the Milford Hills Hunt Club in Johnson Creek, WI.
 
Whether you are a life-long firearms enthusiast or a newcomer to the shooting sports, MWFPA's 6th Annual Sporting Clays Challenge will provide you and your guests with a safe and thrilling day in a beautiful and relaxed setting.  Click here to view the event brochure and a listing of sponsorship opportunities.
 
Come and enjoy a day of networking. Bring your customers or reward a staff member for a job well done. Experienced AND novice shooters welcome.
 
Last year's event raised $6,000 enabling us to provide $16,000 in scholarships to the children of MWFPA members pursuing a post-secondary education.
 
Following is the day's itinerary.    October 5, 2017      

10:00 a.m. 
Registration/Shooter Warm-Up (warm-up is optional & paid by participant)  
 
11:45 a.m. 
Lunch
2:45 p.m.
Safety Review
 
1:00 p.m. 
Clay Shoot
3:30 p.m.
Reception/Awards
 
 
See you at the Milford Hills Hunt Club! View our Facebook photo gallery from last year's event.
t year's event.  
FDA Guidance Issued On Human Foods Preventative Controls
To help businesses meet the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Final Rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food, the FDA is releasing a new software tool to help owners and operators of food facilities create a food safety plan specific to their facilities.  Read more
    
Ag Guestworker Bill Introduced In Congress
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte has introduced the Agricultural Guestworker "AG" Act (H.R. 1773) a bill to provide American farmers with a workable temporary agricultural guestworker program that will help provide access to a reliable workforce.
 
The bill will create a new visa category called H-2C. This would replace the existing H-2A program and provide more streamlined access to guestworkers by dairy, livestock, food processor and other agricultural employers who utilize immigrant labor.
 
To read a summary of the bill, click here.  To view the bill language, click here
   
WI Budget Committee Resumes Deliberations
WI Capitol
The WI Legislature's Joint Finance Committee (JFC) met recently for the first time in two months to deliberate the state's 2017-19 biennial budget. The more than $70 billion spending document is nearly two months past its July 1, 2017, start date.  
 
The co-chairs of the budget writing committee have indicated that the bill could first go to the Assembly for floor action the week of September 11, likely on September 14. They emphasized that timeline is a goal, but everything is still fluid.
 
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Artisan Food Expo To Be Held At MWFPA Convention
The new Artisan Food Products Network (AFPN) will be holding their first annual Artisan Food Business Expo in conjunction with the MWFPA annual convention and trade show at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN, November 28-30. 
 
The goal of the Artisan Food Products Network (AFPN) is to help grow and promote artisan scale professional food product production in the MWFPA region. MWFPA members and suppliers can help the region become a center of production for new food products and brands by joining small batch production through the AFPN with the full range professional services offered by MWFPA members.
 
This 'farm team' approach is designed to give MWFPA members early information and access to the new food entrepreneurs and brands that can help grow their businesses and the industry. The AFPN network will have a special section at this year's MWFPA conference, and a group of excellent speakers discussing this topic.
 
Exhibitors at this year's MWFPA Convention with products or services that support smaller food businesses will have the opportunity to self-identify as 'Artisan friendly'. A special map of the MWFPA show floor will be available to new attendees searching for these products to aid in locating them. 
 
If your business knows of food entrepreneurs or emerging food businesses in your communities that you would like to welcome to our industry, the AFPN has a special free-registration offer available. Please contact Rick Terrien at: rick@artisanfoodproductsnetwork.org or call 608-577-7546.   Web: www.artisanfoodproductsnetwork.org 
 
Check Out MWFPA's Customized Property & Casualty Insurance For Members Only








The Midwest Food Products Association is pleased to announce that its members now have access to an exclusive insurance program that is written specifically for our industry.  With assistance from the risk management firm Hays Companies, this program offers a customized Property and Casualty insurance program. 

The program offers a complete insurance program for all business types, from processor to manufacturers, logistics to wholesaler and anything in between.  No market segment is excluded, and no organization is too large or too small.  

Learn more about what the MWFPA Insurance Program can do for you by visiting the program's website:
 https://mwfpa.haysprograms.com/.

For more information about the program, contact: Brad Van Swol at:Email: bvanswol@hayscompanies.com;  Phone: (414) 290-3581  
 
MWFPA Events You Won't Want To Miss
October 5, 2017MWFPA Sporting Clay Challenge. Milford Hills Hunt Club, Johnson Creek, WI.

November 28 - 30, 2017MWFPA 113th Annual Convention and 90th Processing Crops Conference.  Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN.

Other Educational Opportunities
September 19   in Green Bay , WI
September 20 in Oconomowoc, WI
September 21 in Middleton,WI
Energy efficient food processing: focus on refrigeration 
8:30 am-4 pm | $129.   Under relentless pressure to reduce production costs while not sacrificing quality? Energy efficiency is one place to look. Join us in September to review energy benchmarking data and discuss the most energy intensive equipment and processes found in key sectors of the industry. We'll zero in on refrigeration systems and technologies, as well as variable frequency drive advantages and disadvantages, appropriate applications and control recommendations. To wrap up the course, key elements in the development of a successful implementation strategy will be shared, as well as common challenges.  Learn more and register today.

October 17-18, 2017: Dryer Technology - Madison Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton Street,Madison, WI 53703.
Expand your knowledge of industrial dryer fundamentals and learn how to apply proven methods to improve dryer efficiency, reduce operating and energy costs, and improve your operations. This course will focus on the continuous drying of particulate materials from foods to inorganic chemicals.  For further information, click here.

October 19, 2017: Atomization and Spray Technology
: Focus on Spray Drying.  Madison Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703. In this introductory course you will gain a solid understanding of the atomization process and atomizer designs. You will learn the differences in performance of different atomization methods, how to select the proper atomizer for your product requirements, and how to improve the operation of your existing atomizing system. For more information, click here.  
 
November 17-18:  Edible Startup Summit.  American Family Center, Madison, WI.
Co-hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's Ag and Food Center and Dane County UW-Extension, the two-day summit offers a comprehensive and interactive education on what it takes to develop a local food business. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with industry veterans, network with other entrepreneurs, and attend a field trip to food business incubators.

More information on 2017 registration, along with a summit agenda, will be posted on the DATCP website in coming weeks. Click here.
For more information, contact DATCP's Kietra Olson at 608-224-5112 or kietra.olson@wisconsin.gov , or Becky Paris at 608-224-5051 or Rebecca.Paris@Wisconsin.gov.
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Midwest Food Products Assoc. | | brian.elliott@mwfpa.org | http://www.mwfpa.org
4600 American Pkwy.
Suite 210
Madison, WI 53718