NAMA News April 2009
Inside this Issue
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 Recipients of the Kansas State University outstanding service and alumni awards are from left Royal Denning, Cereal Food Processors, Inc.; Betsy Faga, NAMA; Dirk Maier, head of the Department of Grain Science who presented the awards; and Dan Wells, ADM Milling Company (retired). See full story below. |
Register Now - 50th Annual Corn Dry Milling Conference
NAMA’s Corn Dry Milling Conference will be held June 18, 2009 in Peoria, Illinois. Jointly sponsored with USDA’s National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, the conference will feature a one-day session on research and topical issues related to corn milling. Topics this year include endophytes, germplasm enhancement of maize, the development of fungicides for field crop and their impact on grain yield and quality, what is a perfect hybrid, update on CODEX Committee, and economic impact of traits on the seed corn industry. In addition to the conference, NAMA milling and associate members will meet the evening of June 17. Program details and registration information are on NAMA’s web site at http://www.namamillers.org/mbr_mtg.cfm.
Rick Cole Member of CFTC Subcommittee
NAMA member Rick Cole, General Mills, Inc., has been selected from 36 nominees to be one of 18 industry leaders forming the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) Subcommittee on Convergence in Agricultural Commodity Markets.
This is a new subcommittee of the CFTC’s Agricultural Advisory Committee that will be working to identify the causes of poor cash-futures convergence in select agricultural commodity markets, as well as advise on actions to remedy the situation. The Agricultural Advisory Committee will form its recommendations to the CFTC based on the information this subcommittee presents. Jeffery Harris, CFTC’s chief economist, will chair the subcommittee that will meet for at least three sessions.
Wheat chain promotes the benefits of enriched grains
NAMA, American Bakers Association, Grain Foods Foundation, Wheat Foods Council, and National Association of Wheat Growers filed comments on behalf of the wheat chain to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee as the committee prepared for its third meeting. The associations asked the committee to recognize the valuable role of enriched grains in a healthy diet. They said, “While continuing to support the recommendation that Americans consume one half of their total grain servings as whole grains, enriched grains also provide important health benefits, especially with the fortification of folic acid.” The letter also made comments on sodium; glycemic index and glycemic load; nutrition education; and the importance of realistic, science-based, and consistent communication.
It is the job of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee to assist the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture in providing sound and current dietary guidance to consumers. The last edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans was published in January 2005. The next edition is due out January 2010.
The comments are available at http://www.namamillers.org/DGAC_Comments_04_09.html.
GFF launches “Bread Art Project”
The Grain Foods Foundation launched the “Bread Art Project” where consumers can create a personalized piece of bread art by uploading a favorite drawing or photo, or designing a new one using a digital slice of bread as the canvas. For each piece of bread art created, GFF will donate $1 to Feeding America (up to $50,000). As of April 30 there were 17,897 pieces of art created. Go to http://www.gowiththegrain.org to view or create your bread art.
NAMA meets with food aid partners during IFAC
Members of NAMA’s International Trade Committee met with food aid partners during the annual IFAC (International Food Aid Conference) held in Kansas City last month. Representatives from Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), World Food Programme (WFP), trade associations, commodity vendors, transportation lines, U.S. ports, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Agency for International Development were on hand to discuss policy and operational issues related to the delivery of food aid. The conference also gave food aid representatives an opportunity to discuss the Farm Bill implementation, commodity and transportation issues, supply and demand trends, emergency and development aid, nutrition and supply chain management.
One hot side conversation near the end of the conference was the hijacking of the American ship carrying food aid to Somalia and the kidnapping of Captain Richard Phillips who, at the time, was still being held for ransom. The ship contained wheat flour and corn soy blend manufactured by NAMA members. It’s not often NAMA’s products have a direct connection to the world’s headlines!
Taste of Food Aid
NAMA participated in a training session for USAID food managers. Paul Green presented on the benefits of NAMA food aid products at the Taste of Food Aid event organized by Global Food & Nutrition. Participating organizations included Alaska Benefisheries/ASMI, American Peanut Council, American Soybean Association/ASA-WISHH, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, USA Rice Federation, and the United States Potato Board. Following the presentations, the audience was able to taste a variety of food aid commodities that were served in local and regional dishes in order to showcase their diversity, usability, and nutritional value. The menu included NAMA products such as corn soy blend and flour.
Kansas State Awards
Kansas State University’s Grain Science and Industry Department held its first annual awards ceremony April 23 honoring outstanding alumni, supporters, and scholarship donors. Five individuals in the milling industry were recognized.
Service Awards:
- Betsy Faga, president, North American Millers Association - Ms. Faga was chosen for her work over the years in keeping NAMA connected with the department and facilitating NAMA’s KSU committee.
- Brian Davis, assistant milling manager, Quaker Oats Oat and Corn Mill - Mr. Davis coordinates oat donations for the Grain Science Department, Bakery Science Club and Bakery Science lab. He is also the leader of the KSU recruiting team for PepsiCo.
- Royal Denning - assistant director of operations, Cereal Food Processors, Inc.
- Dan Wells - retired vice president of milling operations, ADM Milling Co.
- Steve Curran - plant manager, General Mills, Inc.
KSU announces open faculty position in milling program
The Kansas State University Department of Grain Science announced an open faculty position in the milling program. The teaching position requires a Bachelors of Science and milling industry experience. See the announcement at http://www.namamillers.org/NewsArchives09/KStateFacultyPosition.pdf.
Conference calendar
2009 Leadership Meeting, Washington, DC
The Liaison Hotel
May 20-21, 2009
50th Annual Corn Dry Milling Conference, East Peoria, IL
Hotel Pere Marquette
June 17-18, 2009
2009 Annual Meeting, Washington, DC
Sofitel Lafayette Square Hotel
October 19-21, 2009
2010 Division Meetings, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
W Fort Lauderdale
March 20-23, 2010
2010 Annual Meeting, Del Mar, CA
L'Auberge Del Mar Resort
October 14-16, 2010
The North American Millers’ Association prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact NAMA at 202.484.2200 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Betsy Faga, President, 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 825W, Washington, DC, 20024 or call 202.484.2200 ext. 13. NAMA is and equal opportunity provider and employer.
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