FDA-recognized Food Safety Expert and long-time lecturer from Rutgers University Food Innovation Center, Donna F. Schaffner, will be sharing her insights into how ‘Food Safety Culture’ is being measured by FDA Inspectors in order to meet regulatory expectations.
The Rutgers Food Innovation Center's reputation for food safety training is well known, did you know they also have consulting services? They can do FSMA, GMP or SQF Gap audits to help you prepare for the FDA, USDA or 3rd Party audits. They can review your Food Safety Plans and give recommendations on how to meet regulatory requirements.
Learn more on the RFIC training and consulting page and remember NJFPA members are eligible for discounts on many RFIC services and training.
The Rutgers Food Innovation Center, which has been in operation for over 20 years with extraordinary success, has identified the need to create its first formal Advisory Board to identify new strategic opportunities to better serve the food industry going forward. Each advisory board member is a leader in the food industry and brings a unique and diverse set of perspectives to the Center, and a global depth and breadth of expertise. The advisors will help provide strategic guidance to FIC’s senior leadership team, including Nolan Lewin, FIC’s Executive Director.
Congratulations from the NJFPA to the inaugural first class:
Were you at our October On The Road networking event? Tag yourself in the Facebook photo album and share your pictures as well. (How is it possible that the Cultinary Family Farm twins were not captured on camera??)
The staff and space of Cross Keys Brewing were wonderfully welcoming and the room was packed. Thank goodness the rain held off because the crowd was spilling out the door. Not that rain would have kept anyone from lining up for dinner from Red's Rolling Restaurant.
Culinary Family Farms Black Garlic was an experience. When they walk you through the flavors like a wine tasting you know this is something special. Superfoods was already using black garlic in their recipes and were excited to meet a NJ source. The samples of Superfood's veggie burgers, taco filling, and "forbidden banana bread" are all vegan and amazingly delicious. Paul is an experienced chef that has already brought products to Costco and it shows. We got to learn a little more about the history behind the spring rolls of Carey's Gourmet and their established following.
Are you interested in the upcoming Rutgers Food Innovation Center, Food Business Basics Workshop but still on the fence?
Check out the workshop schedule to see the full scope of what this day will cover to bring your food business to the next level: branding, packaging materials, food safety, sales, Whole Foods foragers, and finding co-packers.
And this workshop is not just for startups! Are you new to the industry and need a crash course? An established small business looking to take things to the next level? Even the largest NJ food processors have taken advantage of the resources of the Rutgers Food Innovation Center to test out new recipes, formulas, and processes.
Still not sure? Reach out to [email protected] and [email protected] to learn more. The first 15 NJFPA members that mention this post will get a VERY special rate.
If you can't make this one, remember that NJFPA members always get 10% off on RFIC classes.
For our October OTR we are featuring some up-and-coming local food processors.
If that wasn't enough to tempt you, we are excited to welcome Larry Walker, President & CEO of Balford Foods who will share a few words on his experiences and advice in the food industry.
While Rutgers University made a fiscal decision to no longer rent job Rutgers-owned buildings during the COVID era, they did want to continue the presence of RFIC North. We received approval from the SEBS executive leadership team and the Chair of the Food Science Department to take up residency in a lab on the 4th floor of the Food Science building. This smaller space is designed to allow start up’s and clients from the northern part of the state and New York Metro area to meet with the FIC team without needing to drive to the Bridgeton site for initial conversations and testing of prototypes.
While this new space in New Brunswick will not allow for manufacturing as Piscataway had, it is still an opportunity for potential clients to begin the process of working with RFIC. The biggest advantage comes from the opportunity for the professors and student body to engage much easier with the RFIC team who will be in the New Brunswick lab and office a few times a month. FIC will offer food safety and training courses, both virtually and in person. Work with the sensory labs will grow and the marketing team will have access to a remarkably diverse group to work with on competing analyses. All in all, entering the next phase of FIC in New Brunswick promises to afford new and exciting horizons for everyone.
- Nolan Lewin
Rutgers Food Innovation Center
Remember NJFPA members always get a 10% discount on FIC training courses!
Looking to jump-start or level up a new food business? The one-day session will include business and technical experts, including an attorney, food scientists, a packaging expert, trend and marketing experts and so much more. (You know, like an NJFPA event!)
Date: November 3, 2022 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Location: Rutgers Eco Center 1200 Florence Columbus Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505.
Registration: https://foodinnovation.rutgers.edu/what-fic-does/learn/food-business-basics/
The number of cases of Monkey Pox in the U.S. has now risen to the point where the CDC is recommending that all food processing facilities look for the symptoms on their employees (and send them home from work if the “pox” symptoms are present). Food processors also need to ensure that all food handlers are reminded to follow GMPs and always wear gloves when touching food or food contact surfaces, to mitigate the risks of Monkey Pox being spread through the food materials.
Please read the attached flyer of information regarding the Monkey Pox virus from the Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University. This document was created on August 11, 2022.
Back-to-school season is not just for kids. NJFPA members get a 10% discount on training from Rutgers. Remember that everyone in an NJFPA member company is eligible for NJFPA benefits! Contact Rutgers about customized training for your whole staff.
Updated course listings have been posted Food Science and Food Safety Courses – Rutgers NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education Broaden and update your team's food skills with Food Safety training courses and Food Science courses offered by Rutgers, including HACCP training, food microbiology, sensory evaluation, and more. - cpe.rutgers.edu
Featured Course: Sensory Evaluation
Course Code: LF0606CA23 Date: Sept 28 & 29, 2022 - 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Cook Student Center, 59 Biel Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Registration: $1,150 per person Early Bird Discount Fee: $1,050 per person (expires September 7, 2022)
The response from exhibitors and sponsors to this year's conference has been tremendous! Don't miss your chance to nail down what you need for your business all in one room.
The next round of episodes of the NJFPA Stradley Ronon Food Forum Podcast are currently being recorded!
Longtime NJFPA supporter Hoffman's Exterminating Co. has always given back to the community and the association through sponsorship, service on the board and committees, and discounts on services. The entire NJFPA community is grateful for your support!
Take advantage of all your NJFPA member benefits including Hoffman's and other members-only discounts on products and services including training discounts with NJFPA partners:
Not an NJFPA member yet? Join Today!
With 10 episodes recorded, Season 1 of the NJFPA Stradley Ronon Food Forum Podcast is already creating a buzz standing out with true stories and honest advice on the NJ Food Processing world.
As your business and your circumstances change, relisten for advice on every stage of your business:
Starting up :
From grocery stores to restaurants, processors to distributors, entrepreneurs to conglomerates, the food business impacts the state in numerous ways. Of course, in the past year our relationship with food has changed. Food insecurity is real — and its impact has touched all portions of society.
So, this year, the 2021 ROI Influencers: Food & Beverage list honors those in the industry big and small, but they gave extra emphasis to those who made sure no one went hungry. NJFPA couldn't be prouder to have our members and partners on this list:
Thursday, April 22nd (9:00 AM to 4:30 PM)
A Deep Dive discussion into the NEW FDA Regulations - CFR 117 subpart B offering Regulatory Views vs. Food Processing Concerns including changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presented by Rutgers Food Innovation Center
CFR 117 (B) was just the first of many new food-related regulations that the FDA has released as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and covers the basic requirements of the Good Manufacturing Practices, Adverse Health, personal hygiene and Allergen handling requirements for food handlers working in a food processing-type environment. Participants will learn how to better comply with FDA rules, while also earning a Rutgers Certificate of Training needed to show compliance with some of the new FDA training documentation requirements.
This project is an effort made possible thanks to several organizations, including NJFPA, Rutgers Food Innovation Center, the NJEDA, and Grassi Advisors & Accountants.
Take the short 5-10 minute survey and you will help provide invaluable insight into our industry. The result is valuable information that you can leverage to strengthen your operations and enhance your ROI come year-end.
Education Days: April 22nd and 29th (both Thursdays)
Session Days: April 23rd and 30th (both Fridays)
All Elements Are Virtual This Year
This year's conference features an expanded schedule of presentations along with two standalone educational offerings and special pre-conference experiences.
The NJFPA's 2021 Annual Conference will take place online over April 22-23 and 29-30. Both two-day sets will include one day of education and programming on the second day. Join us for keynotes, panels, and discussions with speakers, including: Campbell Soup, Ahold Delhaize, Comarco Products, Norris McLaughlin PC, and Omni Food Sales.
Make sure your membership is up to date to receive the latest conference news and member discounts to the events.
