Safe Food California 2016

The forever-famous song from Led Zepplin, Going to California, is fresh in our minds as we prepare to head to the Safe Food California event set for April 18-21 in sunny Monterey, California (find us at booth #404). Yet unlike the whimsical nature of the songs' lyrics (penned by greats Jimmy Page and Robert Plant), the focus at Safe Food California will be on the much more serious matters of learning and sharing best, safe food practices. Specifically noted on the event website, the mission of the event is to bring together companies and professionals to learn, exhibit, and network by offering highly relevant food safety education and innovation. With three prior, record-breaking years of severe drought conditions as well as a number of different contamination and food-borne illness stories in the news this past year, energies will be high. 

The Dried Fruit and Tree Nut Association of California (DFA)

The annual Safe Food California event is Parented by the Dried Fruit and Tree Nut Association of California (DFA), whose mission is stated as follows on its website:

"Established in 1908, DFA is a technical service organization focused on addressing the needs of the food industry with a special emphasis on California’s specialty crops. With rapidly growing expectations from regulators, consumers, and retail outlets, we help companies become more proactive in their approach to food safety and quality practices. DFA offers technical services to growers, packers, processors and food manufacturers to aid in their efforts to maintain the highest standards in food safety and quality."

Fruits of all kinds, along with other tree-grown nuts, are in great hands with the DFA who works hard (as stated) to create an environment of safety and quality while assisting with regulations and retail push. As noted in the recent post we did on pistachios titled, Power of the Pistachio, the DFA and the Safe Food California event has the clear goal of continuing to bring safe and wholesome foods to market. Pre-noted event sponsors and attendees include some of the top growers and suppliers from the fruit and tree nut categories including (but not limited to) National Raisin Company, Sunsweet, California Walnuts, Blue Diamond, Sunmaid, ShoEi, California Dried Plums, National Pecan, Valley Fig Growers, Mariani Nut Company, Mariani Premium Dried Fruit. For a complete list of sponsors go here.  

General Sessions and Educational Breakouts: Many Chances to Learn

From sessions targeted at stopping food-borne illness to gaining a retailer's perspective on a supplier's food safety program, there are several, important topics being covered in session format at the upcoming Safe Food California event. See the full list of sessions here.Educational breakouts will also be offered at the event, including one covering the FDA’s new Food Safety Management Act (FSMA). As many of you already know, the FSMA is a real game-changer for the food industry, altering the way food producers, processors and distributors operate their business. Learn about this and other important educational opportunities being offered at the event here.View the entire Safe Food California event schedule here. [su_divider divider_color="#e6e3e3" size="2"]