2023 NJFPA Stewardship Award AND Breakout Session Presenter

NJFPA and the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program are proud to announce that Premio Foods, Inc. has been selected as the recipient of this year's NJFPA Stewardship Award. Recipients are New Jersey food and beverage processors recognized for their investment in New Jersey, our industry, and the greater community.

Come learn from the best! Our partners at NJMEP present the award at our annual conference on March 17th and share more on why Premio Foods' leadership is worth celebrating. AND lead a breakout session on their workforce success story with Premio HR. Here are just a few of the stories that stood out:

On The Road Networking at Cross Keys Brewing

NJFPA Member Feedback

Thank you to everyone who contributed their feedback on our organization.  The board had a full day of reflection on the last few years and planning for the next. Our last board retreat was in 2019 and needless to say, a lot has changed since then. We will be sharing some of our conversations over the coming weeks. 

NJFPAs history, our roots, are founded in the personal relationships among our members. A group of processors and allies that respected each other and wanted to support each other to encourage industry growth in the garden state. 

NJFPA's Annual Industry Benchmarking Effort

After the insightful results of 2021's benchmarking survey, your NJFPA community wants to know where you and your company are now.

If you work in food processing, we invite you to take part in an 8-minute survey that the New Jersey Food Processors Association is conducting with Grassi's Manufacturing & Distribution practice and Crain's New York Business. The results from this survey will generate comprehensive industry benchmarks that your business can leverage.

Chamber of Commerce of Southern NJ Presents: Innovate South Jersey

Tuesday, October 26th | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Special NJFPA Pricing: $25  - Register Today
The Grove at Centerton
1022 Almond Road Pittsgrove, NJ 08318

NJFPA Board member Nolan Lewin of the Rutgers Food Innovation Center will be contributing to this important regional event. 

Supply Chain Disruptions - Meet Our Round Table Moderators

NJFPA Fall Think Tank
Friday, October 15th - 9 AM - 1:30 PM - POSTPONED - STAY TUNED
Rutgers EcoComplex, Bordentown, NJ
Non-Members: $40 | Members: $30

Join us to discuss the challenge that we are all facing - Supply Chain Disruptions.  Discuss People, Forecasting, and Transportation during three 30 minute rotating round tables. Our moderators will drive a discussion with solid outcomes and actionable follow-ups.  

Congratulations to the Hosts and Guests of Season 1!

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 : 

NJFPA 1st On The Road is Next Week - New Speaker on COVID Vaccines

NJFPA's popular On the Road (OTR) networking series sponsored by M&T Bank & Stokes Equipment, has always been about making and strengthening connections. 

NEW - Employment lawyer Nicole Stover from Stradley Ronan will share thoughts on how upcoming vaccine mandates will affect your business and life. Nicole has already started sharing amazing resources with the NJFPA including the FDA's page on COVID-19 Vaccination & the Food and Agriculture Sector.

Tickets for this outdoor event include drink tickets, dinner, and the unmatched NJFPA community. Reconnect, reminisce, and network your next big opportunity.

• Cedar Rose Vineyards, Millville, NJ - Tuesday, September 21st at 5:30 PM - Register now!
  $35 non-members | $30 members

It has been a heck of a year, come relax and enjoy beautiful outdoor settings. 

Supply Chain Disruptions - People, Transportation, & Forecasting

NJFPA Fall Think Tank
Friday, October 15th - 9 AM - 1:30 PM
Non-Members: $60 | Members: $50 - Registration starting next week!

• People - Cielo Talent
  Labor challenges related to staffing, no shows, recruiting, and more.
   
• Transportation - Mark McEntire, SVP of Ops at Transplace.com
  Ocean container shortages, trucking carrier/driver availability, longer lead times and unexpected delays on critical materials.
   
• Forecasting - Pearl Mattison, Director, Demand and Network Planning, Lassonde
  Consumer stockpiling, increased demand, back to school uncertainty, communication challenges, climate change impact to crops, extreme weather events, direct/indirect impacts.

ROI-NJ presents the ROI Influencers: Food & Beverage 2021

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:

NJFPA Stradley Ronon Food Forum Episode 8

In NJFPA Stradley Ronon Food Forum Episode #8 Bill Mandia, Partner at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, speaks with Jared Cannon, Founder and CEO of Simply Good Jars. Bill and Jared talk about COVID causing a 98% sales loss and how they bounced back, hiring and the Shark Tank.

In Episode #8 listeners will hear: 

• How a personal problem turned into a business opportunity.
  
  
• How COVID caused them to instantly lose 98% of sales and upended their entire business model - but focusing on their values and strengths led to a natural pivot.
  
  
• Redefining what “profit” means for an organization.
  
  
• Company culture that has made hiring fast and employees highly motivated. “We’ve never written a job description.”
  
  
• Jared’s almost missed opportunity on Shark Tank.
  
  
• Jared’s predictions for future changes in the food industry.

2021 NJ Food Manufacturers Benchmarking Survey

The results from the Grassi Manufacturing & Distribution practice and New Jersey Food Processors Association (NJFPA) comprehensive industry benchmarking survey are in.

The findings point to the resiliency and agility of the industry over the past 12 months and indicate a positive overall outlook for the sector.  

Are you ready to shake hands yet?

As we plan our next few in-person meetings we need your input.

By sharing your perspective on this transition, you will be helping us to be thoughtful in our approach to bringing our community back together.

NJ Needs YOUR Help to Get Everyone Vaccinated!

Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available, and now we have a powerful new tool—vaccines. As of April 19th all New Jersey residents are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Research has shown that some people will trust employers, even more than their governments and religious leaders, to deliver safe and accurate information regarding vaccines.

NJ Department of Health has created posters, tips and opportunities for employers to get more NJ workers vaccinated. NJFPA will be sharing vaccine information on our website and members are encouraged to share these resources with their workforce and the community:

• Start with the COVID-19 Vaccine information hub:
  • Single search across vaccine megasites, pharmacies and offices with the Vaccine Appointment Finder.
  • Get updates in your inbox with the DOH's Vax Matters Newsletter 
  • Share Videos on vaccine information, experiences, and the COVID-10 Podcast on the NJ DOH YouTube Channel
• Resources:
  • Infographics, fact sheets and flyers in multiple languages.
  • Exclusive NJ Employer Toolkit on how to use the three strategies of conviction, convenience and costlessness to encourage vaccination. 
• Company vaccine clinics:
  • Food Processors, especially meat packers & seafood processors are invited to complete an NJ DOH survey on opportunities to host a clinic at YOUR facility or reserve a block time at a local vaccine center.
  • Get your employees protected and back to work fast!

Roma McCaig talks ESG with the NJFPA Food Forum

Bill Mandia, Partner at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, speaks with Roma McCaig, VP of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability at Campbell Soup Company and keynote speaker for NJFPA’s 2021 Annual Conference, about ESG: environmental, social and governance strategy and why it is important to every business large and small. 

And a special note...Roma was just named to GreenBiz’s “25 badass women leading corporate climate action list” for 2021!

Listen to Hear: 

Welcome to the NJFPA Food Forum Podcast!

It is finally here! Over the last year NJFPA has heard amazing stories of resilience, perseverance and ingenuity from our members and we couldn't keep them to ourselves. Bill Mandia from Stradley Ronon, will be our interviewer extraordinaire and kick off Season 1 with our very own NJFPA President, Mark Macellaro.

NJFPA Food Forum listeners will hear from different corners of the food processing industry and see unique perspectives. You will hear who's done it, who's done it well, and lessons you can use today to drive your company forward. 

In Episode #1 listeners will hear: 

Rutgers Food Innovation Center Presents NEW Training at the 2021 NJFPA Conference
First time offered to the public!

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.

NJEDA Seeks Input on Strategies to Address Food Insecurity in New Jersey’s Food Deserts

NJEDA specifically reached out to NJFPA and asked us to share with anyone in the food & beverage sector, including farms, animal production & fishing companies, bakeries, food manufacturers, retail & foodservice markets, wholesalers, logistics & supply chain. They need YOUR voice and perspective to find the best ideas to make #NJfood work for everyone.

TRENTON, N.J. (March 15, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking insight into food security challenges faced by communities across the Garden State, including specific obstacles and disparities within communities that are considered “food deserts.” Responses to the RFI are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 12, 2021. The RFI can be found at https://www.njeda.com/bidding/#OET.

The NJEDA issued the RFI in conjunction with Governor Phil Murphy’s office and the New Jersey departments of Community Affairs (NJDCA) and Agriculture (NJDA), to gather information and ideas regarding the implementation of the Food Desert Relief Act, part of the NJ Economic Recovery Act of 2020 that Governor Murphy signed into law in January 2021.

Webinar: Restaurant Revitalization Fund – What You Need to Know

2021 Annual Conference, Presented by M&T Bank

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.