Issue 5, October 2018
Fall is here and school is fully back in session! I hope you are having a fruitful and productive year so far. As the current president of ACDA, it is both an honor and privilege to serve you. Speaking of a productive year, the ACDA board and committees have been in full swing since our conference in May. Committees have been assigned, purpose statements and goals have been established in keeping with our new strategic plan. Also, ACDA’s planning committee and board of directors had their first in person meetings, September 16th and 17th at Sheraton Niagara Falls (our 2019 conference location). These were two jammed packed days of brain storming and strategy discussions in order to gear up for another amazing conference as well as continuing to enhance our association and the USDA Food Distribution Programs. All of you know this; however, it bears repeating: ACDA is the recognized leader and voice for continuation and improvement of USDA Food Distribution Programs. Because of that recognition, ACDA has been asked to back several great initiatives along with hundreds of other national organizations whose core values are closely aligned with our mission statement of Working Together to Nourish the Nation. If you have subscribed to the public policy e-mail subscription service you should have received notices updating you on those activities. If you have not signed up, I encourage you to do so now by visiting our website and subscribing to the public policy forum. As a courtesy, you may also click on the links beneath my signature to view the letters. ACDA has also successfully submitted feedback as requested by USDA FNS regarding the allocation/calculation of State Administrative Expense (SAE) Funds. Sending out a huge thanks to those members who took the time to send in their comments regarding this integral source of funds that assist us all in operating our School Nutrition Programs. Click here to read the full comment letter submitted. Please keep your eyes open for other upcoming announcements, such as education webinars (one is currently under development as we speak), conference scholarship opportunities, and calls for ACDA membership testimonials. We want to hear from you on how being a part of ACDA has made a difference. Don’t forget to save the date for the 2019 Annual Conference in Niagara Falls, NY May 5th- May 8th. ACDA is a volunteer association, and I just want to take a moment to thanks those individuals on the board and committees for their countless hours of service towards our mission to Nourish the Nation! Yours truly, SNAP Farm Bill Support Letter
USDA Foods Disaster Planning
I was walking the show floor for the SNAWA show on August 7 in Tacoma and was so excited when I saw the ACDA member sign on the booth from Pacific Northwest Canned Pears. So exciting to see that Susan Renke was promoting the USDA Foods Program and the farmers from our country. Susan Renke is the Promotion Director for Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service and the ACDA Board Representative for the Allied /Agriculture membership group. Every company that is a member of ACDA received a beautiful ACDA membership sign at the ANC SNA show in Vegas to promote the commitment that we have to the farmers, USDA Foods and the community to nourish our Nation. If you woulk like to display an ACDA membership sign at an upcoming show, please e-mail us with your request. Thank you Susan for your Support!
The release of The Final Rule for Processing, which went into effect on July 2, 2018, has provided the opportunity to bring Industry members together on a whole new level! Here’s a timeline of activity: July 10th: During SNA’s ANC, ACDA members, (3 Processors and 2 Distributors) meet to discuss how to achieve successful implementation of The Final Rule, specifically section 250.11, transfer of title and the topic of “Pooled Inventory.” Two representatives of FNS were present to provide guidance. Plan of action was decided upon to include 3 webinars and one in person meeting in DC. It was decided that all National Processors would be notified by FNS and I invited a long list of Distributor partners along with a short list of RAs. July 17th: First of three webinars is held, 29 registered, 24 attended. Focus: definitions and understanding. July 26th: Second of three webinars is held, 48 registered, 37 attended. Focus: How to analyze your business as it pertains to operating under a Pooled Inventory method. August 9th: Third and final webinar, 40 registered, 32 attended. Focus: sharing data and information. August 21st and 22nd: one-and-a-half-day meeting in Arlington-Shirlington, Virginia, 29 gathered to continue discussion of the topic. 5 USDA, 12 Processors, 1 State Agency (ACDA President Elect, Mike Birkmeyer,) 6 Distributors, 2 GPOs, 2 Consultants and 1 Co-op representative. I wish to thank:
Links to the recorded webinars as well as meeting minutes have been distributed; please let me know if any additional information would be helpful to you by emailing me at: caroleerb@jtmfoodgroup.com The ACDA Communication Committee continues to be looking for various ways to bring you the latest information. We have some informative items in the pipeline, including a jobs post and blog in the works. Don’t forget our recently launched interactive USDA Foods Event Calendar. This is a go-to place to learn of all USDA Foods related events around the country. Have a food show, training or other event coming up? Click here link to submit that information. Just a friendly reminder, we are growing on Social Media, so make sure to follow us on Facebook, Linkedin and Instragram to stay up with the latest USDA Foods Information: We are always looking for new ways to provide outreach and keep our community connected! If you have any questions or suggestions, send those to Leah.Sullivan@state.co.us IN MEMORYIn the past few months, ACDA has lost three dear colleagues. We would like to take a moment to honor them as each held a unique role and were valuable assets to our community. Ken ShifflettKen Shifflett, one of the founding fathers of ACDA passed away on August 3, 2018. His dedication and hard work laid the foundation for the great organization we have become. He was also ACDA's first, and only, paid employee. Ken worked over 25 years at the Maryland State Department of Education in the Food Distribution Section and retired as a Section Chief. As a State Distributing Agency, he helped found the National Association of State Agencies for Food Distribution in 1974 and the name was changed to the present day ACDA in 1990. The Association was pivotal in developing and implementing the entire USDA Foods Processing program. After retirement from his state job, Ken was hired as the Executive Secretary for ACDA, where he was responsible for Board meeting planning, membership, registration, communication, and an assortment of duties. Ken was instrumental in the membership growth ACDA saw during his tenure. Upon Ken’s retirement from ACDA in 2013, he was able to enjoy time with his wife Dot, and his beloved classic cars. Benjamin MaddenBenjamin J Madden passed away July 9, 2018. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on November 1, 1968, grew up in Rock Hill, SC, and was a graduate of Clemson University with an MBA from the University of South Carolina. In his position with the SC Department of Education Food Distribution Program, Ben oversaw the ordering and allocation of thousands of cases of USDA foods to schools across the state. He felt a deep desire to see each school get the commodities they needed so they could provide nutritional meals. In addition, the South Carolina Emergency Management Team also benefited from his desire to serve. In times of emergencies, Ben, a volunteer on the Mass Care Feeding team, was at the Emergency Operation Center (EOC), sometime up to 24 hours, ready to offer USDA foods when needed to feed those affected by a disaster. Ben was devoted to his family and the nutritional health of South Carolinian students. He was a man of a quiet nature, but was full of knowledge, wisdom and compassion. Benjamin was there when others needed encouragement or help to reach a new goal – and he will be missed by many. LaNae PotterLaNae Potter passed away May 23, 2018 in Northern Colorado. She was a Colorado native but resided in many other states such as Nebraska, California, and briefly in Alexandria, Va. LaNae held a variety of positions within the school nutrition industry: Food Service Director for the Garvey School District and the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, NSLP Program Specialist with the State of Colorado, and a Senior Program Analyst for the United States Department of Agriculture. LaNae loved to play poker, spend time with her dogs, visit wineries, and enjoyed traveling. She is survived by a daughter, 3 grandchildren, her mother, 2 sisters, and 1 brother. Thanks for Reading!Thank you for your continued support of ACDA. If you have any eNewsletter ideas or submissions for an upcoming ACDA eNewsletter, please send those to Leah Sullivan at Leah.Sullivan@state.co.us | FOLLOW US!Member Spotlight
Sue HartungTitle: Commodities Coordinator Employer: Maid-Rite Specialty Foods, LLC, Honesdale, PA Bio: I have worked for Maid-Rite Specialty Foods, LLC for 14 years covering the floor, to labels, Commodities to Commodity Coordinator. I have been on the ACDA Processing Committee for 8 years as Chairperson for Red Meat. This November, I will be married 44 years – have two children and four grandchildren.Fun Fact or Quote: Processing Committee meetings are scheduled so that there is a vast amount of information crammed into a short amount of time. The quote that sticks with me is from Jean Harris/Co-Chair – “No Dilly Dallying”. Tell us the benefits of being an ACDA member: ACDA presents the ability to be heard on all phases of the Commodity Program. To ask questions, discuss concerns and get answers. I have made great friends and partner contacts. Being an ACDA Member, what do you especially like or appreciate about ACDA? ACDA is a forum where all stakeholders can collaborate on a subject without the pressure of competition.
The ACDA Education Committee is working hard to enhance the website Resources. Click the link to check out the new additions! Email Chris Facha with your ideas or submissions of training and other resources to be considered. ACDA IS GROWING ACDA is evolving and growing!The membership brochure highlighting all of the great reasons to be a ACDA member is available on request. If you are interested in obtaining copies to hand out at food shows or other events, contact info@commodityfoods.org |
Jose Quinones, ACDA Membership Co-Chair Shares:
ACDA was proud to present at the School Nutrition Association’s Annual National Conference, held in Las Vegas, NV this year. Topics included the Procurement of USDA Foods, Forecasting of USDA Foods, and how to utilize USDA Foods in creative recipes. In addition to presenting on these topics, ACDA leadership attended numerous sessions. It was a great collaborative effort!- Home
- Issue 5 - 10/2018 Newsletter