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.

Overcoming the Top 5 HR Risks: #4. Career Planning & Progression

Jeff Agranoff, HR Consulting Principal, Grassi Advisors & Accountants

#4. Career Planning & Progression
Your responsibility to your employees should not end with providing them a salary and job responsibilities. Employees will want to stay with employers who also value and enable their career progression. If you do not have one already, design your organizational chart by department to map out the progression of positions available in your company. Include descriptions that allow employees to understand how the roles are gradually elevated and connected.

Overcoming the Top 5 HR Risks: #3 Work-Life Integration

Jeff Agranoff, HR Consulting Principal, Grassi Advisors & Accountants

#3 Work-Life Integration
In today’s stressful and fast-paced existence, employees may find value in getting paid less if it means they can better balance their lives in and out of the office. Offering part-time or flex options to employees in this situation can sometimes mean the difference between retaining a key employee or losing them to a more flexible employer.

NJFPA & NJMEP Training Partnership

5 Self Paced, Online Food Training
Courses - Available Now!
NJFPA partnered with NJMEP to provide members
with even more access to critical training.
Get started today!

New NJFPA Partnerships : NJ Manufacturing Extension Program

The NJ Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) is a private, not-for-profit organization that improves the profitability and competitiveness of New Jersey’s manufacturers. Backed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NJMEP enables organizations to enhance their productivity and efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve employee performance.

Overcoming the Top 5 HR Risks: #2 Employee Compensation

Jeff Agranoff, HR Consulting Principal, Grassi Advisors & Accountants

#2 Employee Compensation
With many companies focused on containing costs and freezing pay raises or bonuses during the economic downturn, it is more important than ever to be creative in the ways you are compensating your employees and communicating these benefits to them.

Overcoming the Top 5 HR Risks: #1 Employee Retention

Jeff Agranoff, HR Consulting Principal, Grassi Advisors & Accountants

#1. Employee Retention
Your business is your long-term priority, but have you considered what keeps your employees connected or disconnected from your organization? Most likely, it is employee culture – or the lack thereof. Employees stay when they like who they work with, are treated well and feel part of the organization’s mission.

News from the FIC: COVID-19 Impacts FSMA Rule

Intentional adulteration…when a food product is intentionally contaminated by a person or group of people, either internal or external to a food business, has become even a greater concern as food processors battle through the challenges and ramifications of COVID-19. The most common cause of intentional adulteration within the food supply chain has been disgruntled employees seeking revenge on their employer or co-workers. On July 26, 2019, the FSMA final rule for intentional adulteration came into force: Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration. 

Read more from the Rutgers Food Innovation Center

New NJFPA Partnerships : Rutgers Food Innovation Center

The Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University (FIC) is a unique food business incubator and accelerator. Combining years of industry expertise and the advanced technologies offered by Rutgers, we provide business, marketing, food safety, product design and scale up expertise within FDA and USDA certified facilities to help companies successfully build and grow their business.

Through a partnership with the FIC, NJFPA membership now has additional benefits!

Overcoming the Top 5 HR Risks

Jeff Agranoff, HR Consulting Principal, Grassi Advisors & Accountants

Through the ups and downs of your business, the people behind your company name will play a large part in its rise or fall. Like any major element of your business, your workforce and Human Resources (HR) function should be regularly evaluated to ensure they are moving the company in an upward path.

Investors Bank Virtual Business Exchange

In the current world, where we are all trying to increase business through virtual efforts, any assistance or tips to improve on this would help. Investors Bank is hosting an event led by speaker Jeb Blount. Thursday, Nov 5, 2020 10:00 AM ET

Jeb Blount is a celebrated author, speaker and trainer on sales training, creating connections, overcoming objections, and virtual selling.  He has authored—Objections: The Ultimate Guide for Mastering The Art and Science of Getting Past No, Fanatical Prospecting, Sales EQ, Inked and many more.  In the new reality attached to doing business in COVID, Investors Bank sees how effective Jeb’s training has been and wanted to offer it to our community.

Webinar: Election 2020 Tax Policy
Wednesday, October 28
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EDT

Join Withum’s Federal Tax Experts, Dan Mayo and Jeremias Ramosas for an overview of the tax proposals from both candidates and what they mean for you and your business. We don’t know yet which proposal will be implemented but tune in for the different possibilities of what could happen November 3, 2020.

Discussion Topics Include