NAMA News - September 2007
Inside this Issue |
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Organic food still not mainstream
As part of an agreement with NAMA, Harris Interactive conducted an online interview with more than 2,000 adults in the continental United States. After the data was analyzed, Humphrey Taylor, Chairman of The Harris Poll, presented the results of the poll at NAMA’s 2007 Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia. Consumers were asked questions about purchasing habits for groceries, what they thought about organic food, and their perception of the safety of the U.S. food supply.
To the question, “Is Organic Food Worth the Money?” 36 percent agreed that "Organic food is much better for you and, even though it usually costs more, the extra expense is worth it to have better food," another 36 percent were "Not sure" and 29 percent agreed that "Organic food is a waste of money as it is no better for you than conventional foods available in the supermarkets."
According to the HI News Release, “Those who buy organic food regularly are still a small minority, but a growing one. Organic food is seen by most people as safer, better for the environment and healthier, but more expensive. Most organic food buyers overwhelmingly believe it tastes better and is worth the extra cost.”
NAMA will feature a different part of the poll in upcoming issues of NAMA NEWS.
Research on health benefits of corn nearing completion
The Corn Division of NAMA funded a research project on the health benefits of corn-based foods. NAMA is supporting the project at Purdue University, which has been studying carotenoid levels and bioavailability of carotenoids in corn-milled products. Completion of the project is expected in early October.
Report of the Nominating Committee
Guy Shoemaker, Chairman of the Nominating Committee reported the election of Board members Breck Barton, Cereal Food Processors, Inc.; Lynn Rundle, 21st Century Processing Company; and Stephen H. Wickes, Agricor, Inc., to the Executive Committee. Their term is 2007-2010.
The following people were given Honorary Membership in NAMA in recognition of their conspicuous service to the industry:
- Thomas L. Manuel, ConAgra Foods (retired)
- Dr. C.S. (Sam) Rao, ConAgra Foods (retired)
- Winston R. Wallin, The Pillsbury Company (retired)
Students bake pie for NAMA’s Annual Meeting |
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2007 Annual Meeting highlights |
 Outgoing Executive Committee members who served a three year term, 2006-2009, were recognized for their service and leadership during the 2007 Annual Meeting. Vance Taylor, North Dakota Mill & Elevator; Fred Luckey, Bunge Milling, Inc.; and Roger F. Mortenson, House-Autry Mills, Inc. (Far right) Craig Fischer, ADM Milling Company, who is retiring from ADM Milling Company, was also recognized for his service and leadership on the Executive Committee. |
Semo Milling, LLC joins NAMA
NAMA welcomes Semo Milling, LLC as a new member. Bob Smallwood, president, will represent the company on the Board of Directors. His contact information is:
Robert Smallwood, President
Semo Milling, LLC
261 River Road
Cape Girardeau, MO 63702
Tel: 573.264.2677; Fax: 573.264.1305
Email: rsmallwood@semomilling.com
Semo is a corn dry miller and is participating in the food aid program.
Two company representatives, Joyce Burke and Denise Reed, attended the Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia. We look forward to their active involvement.
NAMA welcomes Mark Kolkhorst, ADM Milling Company
ADM has announced Mark Kolkhorst as the new president of ADM Milling Company. Mark succeeds Craig Fischer who has recently retired. We welcome Mark as the company’s representative to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
Mark is currently in transition to the Overland Park location. His contact information in Overland Park is:
Mark Kolkhorst, President
ADM Milling Company
8000 W 110th Street, Suite 300
Overland Park, KS 66210
Phone: 913.491.9400; Fax: 913.491.6507
kolkhorst@admworld.com
Mark attended NAMA’s Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia. We look forward to his active participation in NAMA.
In memory of Larry DeWitt
It is with great sadness NAMA reports Larry DeWitt, retired president of Cargill Dry Milling, passed away October 2 from cancer. Larry devoted 41 years to Cargill and was an integral part of the Millers’ National Federation while heading Cargill’s milling operations. He retired in 2000 and was elected an Honorary Member of NAMA in 2003.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to his wife, Donna, and family at 28090 Woodside Road, Shorewood, MN 55331. Memorials may be made to the Nebraska Lymphoma Research Program, c/o Dr. James Armitage, 987630 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198 or the St. Victoria Catholic Church New Sanctuary Building Fund.
WFC launches a new website feature
The Wheat Foods Council (WFC) is publishing a cookbook to celebrate its 35th anniversary. If you visit the WFC homepage at http://www.wheatfoods.org you will see a feature paragraph as well as a link on the left navigation bar talking about the call for entries for the cookbook.
NAMA calls on AACC to improve testing for mycotoxins
In a letter sent to the Association of American Cereal Chemists (AACC), NAMA asked AACC to address the growing issue of mycotoxins in oats. NAMA called on the AACC to develop a strategy, a timetable, and specific plan to improve the testing methodology for all mycotoxins for oats and oat products. Testing methodology should be standardized, simple to use and interpret, and inexpensive enough that the grain industry, as well as the food manufacturers, can use it.
Links to information on mycotoxins
On the domestic side, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced it has added a section devoted to mycotoxin management in corn to the NCGA web site at http://www.ncga.com/production/mycotoxins/index.asp. “We hope to spread knowledge about the danger mycotoxins can pose, and the advances in dealing with it,” said Scott Averhoff, chairman of the NCGA Mycotoxin Task Force. The new section provides information on recommended management practices, FDA guidelines for acceptable mycotoxin levels for feed, and links to more information on mycotoxin research.
Internationally, new levels for mycotoxins in certain grain products have been announced by the EU. Go to NAMA’s web site for more information. http://www.namamillers.org/word/EUlevelsFusarium.doc
http://www.namamillers.org/pdf/summary20072007_en.pdf
http://www.namamillers.org/pdf/EU2007.pdf
FUSARIUM FOCUS - Volume 7, Issue 2
The U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative's (USWBSI) 2007 Fall Newsletter - Fusarium Focus, Volume 7 (2) - is now available. The newsletter may be viewed or downloaded from the Scab website at http://www.scabusa.org/pdfs/fus-focus_10-07_newsletter.pdf.
Conference calendar
2008 Division Meetings, Palm Coast, FL
The Club at Hammock Beach
Visit the resort's web site at http://www.sanibel-resort.com
March 21-24, 2009
2008 Annual Meeting, Lake Tahoe, NV
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
Visit the resort's web site at http://laketahoe.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp
September 25-27, 2008
2009 Division Meetings, Ft. Myers, FL
Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa
Visit the resort's web site at http://www.sanibel-resort.com
March 21-24, 2009
2009 Annual Meeting, Washington, DC
Sofitel Lafayette Square Hotel
Visit the hotel's web site at http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/3293/fiche_hotel.shtml
October 19-21, 2009
Since the Last Newsletter
Members who would like to review the activities of NAMA staff during the past month go to http://www.namamillers.org/mbr_SLN_09_30_07.cfm.
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