TONIGHT - NJFPA on the Road at River Horse Brewing

Fill out the health screening and get ready to raise a glass! https://www.njfoodprocessors.org/healthscreeningnovotr 

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 : 

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.

Grow Your Professional Network Online with the NJFPA

Network and keep up with industry news with NJFPA on LinkedIn.

• Like what you heard on the latest NJFPA Food Forum Podcast? Speakers are always tagged on LinkedIn so members can connect.
  
  
• Hiring or marketing a Job Fair on LinkedIn or other social media? Tag the NJFPA to help broaden your reach.
  
  
• Share and comment on industry news to grow your knowledge and profile as a thought leader.
  
  
• Host members only conversations in the NJFPA discussion group.

• Search the Member Directory to connect with members in a particular town, field or company. 
  
  
• Have an opportunity to share? Members post jobs for FREE on the exclusive NJFPA Job Board and Resume Bank as a part of NJFPA's commitment to supporting the community.
  
  
• NEW! See even more great opportunities in one place with additional postings from ZipRecruiter. (Well below our member opportunities!)

NJMEP Expands Footprint With Opening of Second Office and Training Facility in Bellmawr

This new Bellmawr, NJ facility is fully staffed and ready to host professional development training courses and workshops. In addition to the NJ Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) suite of effective training options, the NJMEP Pro-Action Education Team^TM invested in innovative Augmented Reality welding equipment and CNC equipment to provide hands-on training to help alleviate the skills gap in these in-demand areas. On August 19th, NJMEP’s board and prominent state legislators were in attendance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony where they toured the facility and saw demonstrations of this ground-breaking new training equipment.

The Bellmawr facility has been given the name the ‘Chris DePace’ training center to commemorate one of NJMEP’s longest-running Account Managers who lost his life to COVID-19 complications. As South Jersey-based manufacturers recover from the disruptions caused by the pandemic, they can take advantage of the training being offered or consulting services available at the ‘Chris DePace’ training center in Bellmawr, New Jersey.

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.  

What can NJFPA do for you?

Help NJFPA help you! The NJFPA is a member driven organization. The services and programming we provide our community depend on the feedback we receive from you.

Please tell us what YOU need from a professional association. As a token of our appreciation, the NJFPA will select three winners to receive a $75 Amazon gift card.

Take the NJFPA Survey

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!

Thank You To Our 2021 Golf Sponsors

Below is just the list of organization that have already committed to sponsoring the NJFPA's 2021 Peter Pappas Memorial Golf Outing as of May 7th! We are always proud and humbled to see so many familiar names stepping up to support this great event. It is even more meaningful this year as we return to in person events.

There are still sponsorship opportunities available, get your name in front of a wide cross-section of our food processing community while at the same time supporting BOTH NJFPA's day-to-day operations and the Association's scholarship fund. All sponsorship opportunities at $750 or above include recognition in promotions, print materials, website, and electronic communications.

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

NJFPA's First Industry Benchmarking Effort

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.

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.

• classes taught by Babson business professors
• connections to mentors in the food industry
• support from a network of entrepreneurs, and
• the chance to apply for grants to support your business

Overcoming the Top 5 HR Risks: 2020 Bonus - COVID-19 Risks

Jeff Agranoff, HR Consulting Principal, Grassi Advisors & Accountants

COVID-19 Risks
In addition to these 5 major areas of HR risk, which are all exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, there are risks inherent in the pandemic itself. Employee morale and loyalty can be severely tested in situations where furloughs and layoffs are inevitable. If you find yourself needing to make these tough decisions to contain employee-related costs, take purposeful steps to make the process easier for those who are leaving and staying. To the extent possible, communicate with remaining employees about the potential and timeline to bring furloughed employees back. Discuss how laid-off or furloughed employees’ roles will be covered. Offer departing employees job coaching and resume building services to support them in this transition.

Overcoming the Top 5 HR Risks: #5. Talent Acquisition

Jeff Agranoff, HR Consulting Principal, Grassi Advisors & Accountants

#5. Talent Acquisition
Before any employee can become a key team member, you first need to be able to identify and attract them in the recruitment process. Oftentimes, the inability to find or secure the right candidates is due to mistakes made in this selection process.