OFPA convention set for March 25-26

March 3, 2008

Contact Information:

Ozark Food Processors Association, 479-575-4607 / ofpa@uark.edu
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. – “Sustainability for the Food and Agriculture Industry” is the theme of the 102nd Ozark Food Processors Association Convention and Exposition to be held March 25 and 26. The activities begin with a golf tournament at 9 a.m. March 25 at Shadow Valley Country Club in Rogers. Events then move to the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale where there will be a reception and industry dinner at 6 p.m. that will include a performance by the Trout Fishing in America musical duo.

A series of addresses will highlight the morning session on March 26 following the welcoming remarks at 9 a.m. by Milo J. Shult, University of Arkansas System vice president for agriculture. The morning’s speakers will be:
  • OFPA President Earl Wells at 9:15 a.m.
  • Jay Billings, marketing manager for Ball Corp., discussing sustainable food packaging at 9:30 a.m.
  • Roger Tippett, Ecolab, Inc., director of research and development, discussing sustainable water at 10 a.m.
  • Gary Whicker, J.B. Hunt Transportation Services senior vice president of engineering services, discussing sustainable transportation at 10:45 a.m.
  • Kevin Igli, Tyson Foods senor vice president and chief environmental health and safety officer, discussing sustainability in food processing at 11:15 a.m.
  • Craig Watson, Sysco Corp. vice president for quality assurance and agricultural sustainability, discussing sustainability in agriculture at 11:45 a.m.
The winners of OFPA and other scholarships will be recognized at the noon luncheon.

The annual food processing exposition from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. will feature more than 80 exhibits of products, services and equipment in the food industry.