RFIC Spring Food Safety Class Schedule AND Expanded Consulting Services

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. 

1. ServSafe Food Safety Manager Course – For anyone under the Cottage Food Law, operating in a commercial kitchen and leaders in serving food to the public (restaurants, schools, nursing homes, fast food, etc…)
1. Jan 17-18, 2023 in person!
   https://foodinnovation.rutgers.edu/what-fic-does/learn/training-services/servsafe-manager/
2. HACCP – Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points – Both are virtual, through WEBEX
1. March 7-9, 2023
2. May 16-18, 2023
   https://foodinnovation.rutgers.edu/what-fic-does/learn/training-services/haccp/
3. PCHF – Preventive Controls for Human Food
1. March 21-23, 2023 - Virtual
2. May 23-25, 2023 - In Person!
   https://foodinnovation.rutgers.edu/what-fic-does/learn/training-services/pcqi/
4. SQF Practitioner
1. May 4th -5, 2023 Virtual
   https://foodinnovation.rutgers.edu/what-fic-does/learn/training-services/sqf-safe-quality-foods/
5. RFIC can also come to you if you have 5-10 (or more) employees that need any of the training above and:
1. FSVP (if you import ingredients)
2. IAVA (Food Defense)
3. GMPs
4. Food Safety Culture

Professional and Executive Education at Rutgers (PEER)

NJFPA has established a partnership with Professional and Executive Education at Rutgers (PEER) where member organizations will receive a 15% discount on many of the certificate and program offerings in their catalog. 

Programs range from Continuous Process Improvement/Lean Six Sigma to Project Management to Professional Sales Skills, to name a few. In addition to the traditional in-person and online delivery model of continuing education, PEER has introduced their Personal Learning Coach hybrid delivery. This model is based on that of a Personal Trainer who evaluates their clients’ current program and goals, provides motivation, pushes their clients harder, and facilitates behavioral changes that clients can embrace to sustain a healthy, active lifestyle.

2023 NJFPA Annual Conference 

Overwhelmingly you have said that one of the biggest challenges you are facing is workforce. From hiring and retention of your own employees to driver shortages and port personnel logistics affecting your processes and profits. How can NJ businesses stay ready for anything?

As many of you know, the NJFPA Annual Conference is planned by members, for members. The education committee is building on some of our most popular topics from last year. For instance, bringing in students to talk about apprenticeships and hiring practices. 

Thursday, November 3, 2022 - Food Business Workshop

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. 

Inspire the next generation of food and beverage manufacturers!

NJFPA member Melissa Eckstein is the District Career Facilitator of the Gateway 2 Careers program at Gateway Regional High School. She is legendary throughout the state for developing symbiotic relationships between education and the workforce. (Food Forum Podcast S2E7)

Having cultivated partnerships with 150 businesses and counting, she has created career opportunities for students, as well as workforce development prospects for companies. You are invited to participate in their December 2nd career day to speak to Gateway students directly about careers available at your company and learn about the workforce programs at Gateway 2 Careers that are building a pipeline of talent for area businesses.

NJFPA Member Benefits on Rutgers Training

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)

Recap: 2022 State of the State of NJ Manufacturing

NJMEP and NJBIA completely filled the George Washington Room of Patriots Theatre at their annual State of the State event. But even a room that full only represented 2% of the manufacturing companies in NJ. (- NJMEP) Manufacturing is alive and well in NJ and its members are passionate about living and working in NJ and making NJ a better place to do business. 

The State of the State was not just a photo-op meet and greet, manufacturers took the stage and voiced real frustrations and stories of challenges they have faced. Hard questions were asked of both lawmakers in attendance and the media who report on these issues emphasizing the real offers coming in from other states and the urgency manufacturers faced to make decisions for their companies.

Processors, Don't Miss These Exhibits!

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.

• Don't just search the web for services - talk to multiple providers at once and find who fits your needs and your budget.
  • Packaging, flavoring, cold storage, construction, insurance, software, automation, and more... 
• Find new community resources - Chambers of Commerce, County Business Hubs, state incentives and grants.
  
  
• See the latest trends - entrepreneurs from the Rutgers Food Innovation Center, vegetarian and plant-based trends.
  
  
• Give back with your community - Learn more about the charitable work of the Mid Atlantic Food Trade Association (MAFTO).
  
  Register Today!

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.

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.

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.

• 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

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.

SGS Webinar: Introduction to GMP & HACCP - FREE

Date & Time: Monday, November 23, 2020 at 10AM EST

During this free food webinar, SGS will take the viewer through a ‘path to certification’ as it is necessary to implement safe handling practices and procedures at every stage of food production. They will briefly introduce globally recognized standards Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) & Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and outline how they build upon each other. Lastly, you will learn what to include in your food plan, how to do a full risk assessment outlining the 7 principles of HACCP, how to implement preventive control measures as well as data management and reporting to prevent harm to your consumers.

Foreign Supplier Verification Program Training - Online
Association of Food Industries

Today’s travel restrictions have created a limited-time opportunity for industry members to take the Foreign Supplier Verification Program course – fully online. Take note that even with travel restrictions in place, FDA is continuing FSVP inspections and is issuing warning letters for non-compliance. AFI is offering 2 upcoming corses. 

Register now for two upcoming course dates.

• November 18-19, 2020 - 9:00 AM • 5:00 PM EST
• December 16-17, 2020 - 9:00 AM • 5:00 PM EST

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.

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!