OFPA convention set for March 28-29

March 6, 2006

Contact Information:

Dr. Justin Morris, Department of Food Science, 479-575-4040 / jumorris@uark.edu

By Dave Edmark, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
479-575-5647 / dedmark@uark.edu

SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- “Building for the Next Century” is the theme of the Ozark Food Processors Association’s 100th annual convention and exposition March 28 and 29 the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Springdale.

“We will be presented with innovative ideas and trends of the future with speakers representing areas from product development, industry and regulatory,” said OFPA president Steve Crider of Gerber Products Co. The association will also distribute copies of a publication illustrating the 100-year history of OFPA.

Activities begin on March 28 with a golf tournament at 10:30 a.m. at Shadow Valley Country Club in Rogers. At 3 p.m. convention activities will begin at the Holiday Inn with the second annual Food and Beverage Innovations Competition among University of Arkansas students. There will be a wine reception and dinner at 6 p.m. followed by announcement of scholarship and competition winners and a performance by Les Brown Jr. and the Band of Renown.

The program begins at 8:30 a.m. March 29 with remarks by Dr. Milo Shult, UA vice president for agriculture. Speakers during the morning session will be:

Shannon Severino, account supervisor for the Canned Food Alliance of Pittsburgh, with an overview of the organization;
Steven C. Ricke, director of the UA Center for Food Safety who holds the Donald “Buddy” Wray Chair in Food Safety, with a report on the center’s new efforts;
Branton Worrell, culinary director of Illes Seasonings and Flavorings of Carrollton, Texas, on future trends for ingredients;
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Richard E. Bell on new visions for agriculture in the state.
The business luncheon at noon will include summary reports on current issues in the food industry. The exposition will run from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. and feature products, services and equipment on display from more than 100 exhibitors.

For additional information on exhibits and the convention, contact Justin Morris OFPA executive vice president, at 479-575-4607.