AOFP/OFVPA 3rd Annual Golf Tournament

Bigger and better.

The AOFP and the OFVPA have once again joined together to host the 3rd Annual Food & Beverage Processing Industry Golf Tournament on Tuesday, May 31st, 2011 at the Whistle Bear Golf Club, Cambridge, ON.

Join your colleagues, suppliers, customers and friends at the Food & Beverage Processing Industry Golf Tournament for a fun day of golf (best ball) and networking.

Cost:
(includes lunch, golf, golf cart, driving range, dinner & prizes)
Early bird – before May 3, 2011:
Member – $200/pp   Non-Member – $235/pp
After May 3, 2011:
Member – $235/pp   Non-Member – $270/pp

Dinner Only:
Member – $85/pp     Non-Member – $100/pp

Itinerary:
10:30 a.m. – shot gun start
4:00 p.m. – prizes and dinner

Cancellation policy: No refunds will be granted after Friday May 13, 2011. Substitutions accepted. (Space is limited and will be on a first come, first serve basis.)

Follow this link to the registration form and sponsorship opportunities.

AOFP seeks industry input for innovation strategy

As a first step in planning for an Innovation Strategy for the Food & Beverage Processing Industry, AOFP is asking for a few minutes (no more than 10 minutes!) of your time to complete a very short survey. We would like to collect your opinions on the factors that drive and limit innovation in the industry.

Survey results will be shared at the upcoming Food Industry Innovation Forum on May 12th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Industry responses to the survey are a very important part in helping to shape the innovation agenda. We thank you for taking the time to complete the survey and acknowledge that all individual results will be CONFIDENTIAL and only aggregated information will be presented.

Take the survey now.

April 14, “Careers for Today and Tomorrow” Food Industry Showcase, Guelph

The Workforce Planning Board is showcasing the food industry to secondary school students and the general public. Exhibitors can promote their companies, provide brief career information and work opportunities, and network with job seekers. Organizations interested in participating should contact Charlene Hofbauer at 519-622-7260 or via email charlene@workforceplanningboard.com.

Have your applications ready! FSTI funding opens April 5

Don’t miss out! The highly popular Food Safety and Traceability Initiative is about to reopen on April 5 at 9am. The program was oversubscribed by noon on the first day last year. FSTI provides 50% reimbursement of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $25,000 to implement written food safety programs, implement a working traceability system, assist in the purchase and installation of equipment that improves food safety or traceability, or train staff to increase the adoption of food safety and traceability.
Program funds are allocated annually and distributed on a first come, first served basis. Once the annual program funds are fully committed, applications for cost-share funding for that fiscal year are no longer accepted.Visit the FSTI website to learn more about the program.

IFPT offers food safety course two ways

The Institute of Food Processing Technology will offer its food safety course, Food Safety Level 1, in both an online format, and traditional classroom setting beginning Spring 2011.

An online version, will begin in May 2011, and the in-class version will commence in June 2011 at Conestoga College.

The course is 90 hours in total, focusing on areas such as food safety hazards, Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety systems, food plant security and impact of food manufacturing on the environment.

Interested parties may also register in Food Safety Level 1 as part of the IFPT’s government-funded Process Operator – Food Manufacturing apprenticeship program and receive a highly reduced rate.

For more information about the food safety course or the apprenticeship contact Mihaela Simion at 519-748-5220 ext 2496 or via email.

Survey: Environmental Coalition seeks key processing issues

The Ontario Food Industry Environmental Coalition (OFIEC) (coordinated by AOFP) seeks input on the environmental issues facing the various sectors within Ontario’s food, beverage and primary input supply industry. This feedback will provide guidance on the allocation of funding toward environmental products, programs and services by OFIEC that will add value to the Ontario food, beverage and primary input supply sector.

Processors are asked to complete the online survey by Friday, Feb 25.

The Ontario Food Industry Environmental Coalition (OFIEC) is a consortium of food industry associations representing Ontario’s food input supply and processing sector. OFIEC was formed with the help of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) with the goal to represent the sector as a whole on environmental issues, and with the long-term goal of implementing a best practices stewardship program for our sector.

OFIEC members include:

Alliance of Ontario Food Processors
Baking Association of Canada
Canadian Oilseed Processors Association
Food and Consumer Products of Canada
Ontario Agri Business Association
Ontario Dairy Council
Ontario Flour Millers’ Association
Ontario Independent Meat Processors
Refreshments Canada

Baking Association of Canada joins AOFP

The industry association representing Ontario and Canada’s baking industry has joined AOFP as a Group Member. The Baking Association of Canada (BAC) members include retail, in-store and wholesale baking companies along with allied trades.

Adding the baking sector raises AOFP’s membership base to represent all major food processing sectors including dairy, wine, fruit and vegetables, chicken, meat, and baking.

“For BAC, the main selling point of membership in AOFP was the political clout we’ll carry when all food and beverage processors speak with one voice on common issues,” says John Rossetti, President of BAC and owner of Italian Home Bakery.

AOFP is the largest food and beverage processing industry association in Ontario, representing more than 450 processors through individual and association memberships.

For more stories from AOFP’s May newsletter click here.

OIMP honours industry achievements

Ontario Independent Meat Processors (OIMP) recognized outstanding industry achievements and crowned the 2010 People’s Choice Award winners during its 30th Anniversary Awards Banquet at The Meating Place on February 27 in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

The 2010 Meat Industry Achievement (MIA) Award was presented to Springer’s Meats, an independent meat processor and retailer owned and operated by the Mueller family in Hamilton, Ontario.

“The MIA Award is given to an OIMP Member Company or individual that our membership feels is deserving of recognition for their achievement in the meat industry,” said Laurie Nicol, Executive Director, OIMP. “The Mueller’s have been important contributors to the OIMP and the industry for many years.”

An enthusiastic crowd of 175 guests sampled a total of 12 People’s Choice Competition entries in the Pepperoni Snack Stick and Jerky categories and cast ballots for their favorites. The 2010 People’s Choice Awards winners are:

“Big Bruce” Honey Garlic Beef Stick – West Grey Premium Beef, Durham, Ontario
“Pork Teriyaki Jerky” – Brian Quinn’s Meats, Yarker, Ontario

“Our members consistently produce high-quality products, so the People’s Choice is always a tight race,” said Tony Facciolo, President, OIMP. “It was essentially a photo-finish, but West Grey and Brian Quinn’s edged out the competition.”

Among the other honours of the evening included recognition of OIMP’s 10-Year Members for their support of the association and the 2009 Food Handler Training program graduates for their commitment to food safety.

Ontario Independent Meat Processors (OIMP) is the representative voice of the independent meat processor in Ontario, working closely with agricultural and commodity organizations and various levels of government for over 30 years. OIMP’s membership includes 205 Business Members (meat and poultry processors, retailers and wholesalers); 62 Associate Members (industry suppliers); and six Affiliate Members (not-for-profit organizations that support OIMP’s objectives). The meat sector represents 20% of Ontario’s food manufacturing industry, contributing over $6.5 billion to the province’s economy.

Apply now for the Food Safety & Traceability Initiative (FSTI)

On March 1^st, OMAFRA relaunched the Food Safety & Traceability Initiative as part of Growing Forward.  Applications for FSTI are being accepted as of March 1^st, 2010 on a first-come, first-served basis.  You are encouraged to apply early as funding under the previous FSTI was allocated very quickly.  Details and application forms are available now.

FSTI provides 50% reimbursement of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $25,000 to:

• Implement written food safety programs
• Implement a working traceability system
• Assist in the purchase and installation of equipment that improves food safety or traceability
• Train staff to increase the adoption of food safety and traceabilityFood

Registration is open: OFIEC Food Industry Environmental Symposium

Ontario food and beverage processing and input supply stakeholders are invited to the OFIEC Food Industry Environmental Symposium on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 in Mississauga Ontario.

The day-long symposium is hosted by the Ontario Food Industry Environmental Coalition (OFIEC),  a new consortium of food and beverage industry associations as well as the food input supply sector.  OFIEC members have a common goal to tackle environmental issues affecting the sector as a whole.  OFIEC is coordinated through the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors (AOFP).

This event promises to be a productive day to discuss environmental issues, regulations, and opportunities affecting our sector.

Register or view the preliminary agenda here.