Food News, September 2009

Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development (AARD) Programs

Business Solutions Den
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is again offering the Business Solutions Den program to Alberta processing companies.

If you are a company with credible management, financial commitment and the ability to move ahead, but you are facing challenges (access to capital, marketing issues, product development, strategic alliances, human resources, legal matters) and are open to discuss these issues, you may be interested in the Business Solutions Den program. Companies selected for this program will receive private, confidential coaching from a panel of business specialists at no cost. (1.5 hr. each) Two sessions will be held this fall, November 3^rd in Calgary and November 5^th in Edmonton. For more information contact Kathy Bosse 403-755-6116 or Jim Cooper 780-679-5176.

Foreign Worker Information
Are you new to the temporary foreign worker program and searching for information on how to complete the Labour Market Opinion application forms? Do you have temporary foreign workers you would like to support through the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program but are not sure how to get started?

For information on the federal Temporary Foreign Worker program or the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, please contact Scott Dundas, Labour Recruitment Manager at 403-340-5369 or email: scott.dundas@gov.ab.ca

WCFN 11 ^th Annual Conference: Healthy Business 09 - Growth and Opportunity
Nov 3 – 4, 2009, Delta Edmonton South, Edmonton, AB
Rapidly changing consumer behavior across the global marketplace is driving new and innovative practices and Canadian companies need to adapt and respond strategically if they are to be competitive.

Healthy Business 09 will explore growth tactics in a competitive marketplace by sharing information on challenges, success and lessons learned while discussing how integrating opportunity & innovation to help create sustainability and profitability in the functional food & natural health product sector. Respective speakers will share business fundamentals, regulatory issues and bridging the gap between the FFNHP industry and health & wellness professionals. As well, the conference and tradeshow will foster industry networking & business building opportunities while celebrating our industries best and brightest during the WCFN Excellence Awards. For more information go to www.wcfn.ca

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Upcoming Events

Ethnic & Specialty Food Expo 2009 – Toronto, Ontario – October 5-6, 2009
The Ethnic & Specialty Food Expo, including the All Things Organic Pavilion, is the only focused forum of its kind in Canada that addresses the trends and needs of the food industry as it responds and evolves to consumers’ needs. This is a great opportunity to identify buyers and distribution channels from the rest of Canada, Ontario and the United States. The visible minority population has been estimated to be 8.5 million by 2017, with Toronto being home to 41% of Canada’s immigrant population. Ethnic food currently makes up 12% of all retail foods in Canada and is growing 5% annually. Kosher and Halal foods are also currently creating a market with large growth potential and opportunities. For further information, please contact Eugene Jaworski at eugene.jaworski@agr.gc.ca or visit the website at: http://www.ethnicandspecialtyfood.com.

Grocery Innovations 2009 – Toronto, Ontario – October 26-27, 2009
Grocery Innovations 2009 is a trade show where over 6,000 major industry players including independent, franchise and corporate retailers, manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers, distributors and government officials come together to do business. Exhibitors include local producers, first time producers, food and consumer product manufacturers, equipment, technology and service providers, food processors and much more. Exhibitors are given the opportunity to speak directly to purchasing decision makers, to gather targeted leads, market new products, network with industry leaders, and sell their products. For more information contact Bill Robinson at bill.robinson@agr.gc.ca by telephone at 519-837-5822, or visit the website at: http://www.groceryinnovations.com/delegate/features.htm

Agri-Foods Best Practices Mission to Ontario
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, together with Edmonton Economic Development Corporation and Calgary Economic Development, have organized a “Best Practice Mission” to Ontario, October 20-23, 2009.

Leaders of agri-food processing companies who have commenced productivity improvement initiatives, and/or are considering applying to participate in Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s Lean Manufacturing and Automation Productivity Improvement programs, will benefit greatly from participating in this opportunity.

The mission will facilitate opportunities for learning and leveraging, including best practice tours, workshops, and education and networking sessions. The objective of this mission is to provide agri-food companies with the information, contacts and hands-on experience needed to incorporate, enhance or introduce lean thinking and productivity improvements in their facilities.

To learn more about the opportunity, including costs and financial assistance for travel expenses, please call Jim Cooper, Business Planning and Capital Sourcing Strategist, at 780-679-5176.

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Fall Courses Offered Through the Alberta Food Processors Association (AFPA)

Back to Basics - Processing Food Safely
This one day course introduces the fundamentals of food safety and provides excellent refresher training.

Basics: Bringing a Product to Market
This one day course provides attendees with an understanding of the processes and steps they need to adopt and follow to enhance their chances of successfully bringing a new product to market.

Basics: Product Development for Entrepreneurs and Small Food Companies
In this information-packed day attendees will discover the key elements and techniques involved in modifying your recipe into a commercially viable formulation and process.

HACCP Courses:
HACCP I - Documenting Your HACCP - Prerequisites
HACCP II - Development of Your HACCP Plan
HACCP III - Train the Trainer
HACCP IV - Validation and Verification of Your HACCP Plan
HACCP V - Effective Auditing of Your HACCP Plan
HACCP VI: Effective Procedure Writing and Document Control for HACCP
HACCP for On-Line Supervisor

Managing Allergen Issues
Allergen contamination is the #1 cause of recalls in Canada, costing the food industry millions of dollars each year. Save your company from costly and agonizing recalls, product withdrawals and law suits, optimize production scheduling and save consumer lives with an in-depth understanding of how to manage allergens in your plant.

Plant Floor Supervisory Training Course
This 5 day course provides an opportunity for Lead Hands & Front Line supervisors to improve their skills to create a work environment that will optimize their employees’ ability to work productively on a consistent basis.

FEASTival of Fine Chefs
Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton Sept 23, 2009
A unique celebration of Alberta's Food Service Industry and Silent Auction with proceeds in support of the Stan Ballard Endowment Fund. This fund supports educational activities for Alberta’s apprenticing chefs as well as provides scholarships at post secondary institutions.
For more information about any of the above courses, e-mail admin@afpa.com or Sita @ 403-201-3657 x23

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Productivity Improvement Project

Spots still available

Are you looking for more profit? Do you want to increase your plant's capacity? Do you want to know more about the emerging trend of Lean Manufacturing?

The Productivity Improvement Project has launched this year's program for supporting assessments and coaching in the areas of: Automation/Equipment; Process Improvement; Lean Principles (more information about lean principles is in the attached 2 page document: What Is Lean Thinking (150KB PDF)

All designed to save you money and time, increase your production capacity, reduce waste and boost your productivity! Support is available for qualified agri-processors: 100% of lean pre-assessment; 80% of lean coaching; 80% of automation/equipment pre-assessments and in-depth assessments.

For more information, contact your Development Officer or Nicola Stevens at nicola.stevens@gov.ab.ca or 403-948- 8511

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