June 7, 2018, marks two decades of this marquee event on the California almond industry’s relentless commitment providing a nutritious, safe almond product to the world.
The 20th annual Food Quality & Safety Symposium, held at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Modesto, promises a wide variety of topics relevant to growers, huller/shellers and handlers alike. During the event, Almond Board staff and industry experts will help navigate attendees through the complexities of almond quality, food safety and the recent regulatory climate.
With the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule for growers and huller/shellers going into effect this past January — and mid-sized orchards needing to comply by January 2019 — now is the time to prepare. In addition to receiving Produce Safety training, growers and huller/shellers should develop a Farm Food Safety Plan that details the steps they will take to comply with the Produce Safety rule. At the Symposium, Tom Jones, senior director of analytical services for Safe Food Alliance, will walk attendees through the key elements of a Farm Food Safety Plan and demonstrate how to develop and implement these plans on the farm. This session will prove invaluable for those who are already taking steps toward compliance but may not know where to start.
Attendees will learn of novel approaches to maximize almond quality. Plant pathologist Dr. Themis Michailides will provide an overview of the use of biological control-agent AF36 in almond orchards to combat aflatoxin development. Then, Dr. Zhaorigetu Hubhachen will share results of a multi-year study on phosphine resistance and management plans, which may prove useful as huller/shellers and handlers look to develop pest control strategies.
Handlers especially will appreciate a presentation by Scott Shultz from Justin’s Nut Butter, a major almond purchaser and key almond butter manufacturer. Shultz will speak to challenges related to almond quality and aflatoxin, offer an in-depth look at how Justin’s approaches almond quality and share lessons the company has learned as their brand has grown.
In addition to insights from Shultz, ABC’s senior director of Global Communications, Daren Williams, will provide perspective on the need for crisis planning before a crisis hits. Williams will lay out case studies that clearly demonstrate what to do — and what not to do — when emergencies arise.
The day will end with an exploration into the “weird and the wonderful.” Attendees will hear the latest on value-added uses for almond biomass, a topic with potential to benefit all industry members as the almond crop continues to grow.
Join us for this must-attend event to kick-start Produce Safety compliance, be inspired to try new avenues for combatting aflatoxin and more! To RSVP and learn more, please see the event flyer.
