Michigan firms launch food safety program for future leaders

According to the state government, agriculture is in the top three industries in Michigan. In 2006-7 it had about 52800 farms with a total of 10m acres; the state ranks first in the production of black beans, cherry beans and small red beans, blueberries, tart cherries and pickling cucumbers. It is also a major supplier of other fruits, spearmint, and milk.

The new forum, called The Food Epprentice Experience, is geared towards promising employees regarded as the next generation of food leaders. Some of the topics they will have to deal with throughout their careers are already on the table, such as sustainability, obesity and nutrition, and – as evidenced by the current recession – economic considerations and poverty.

Specific topics on the agenda include increasing public knowledge of safe food handling, expanding agriculture as an economic driver, increasing supply of nutritious and locally-produced food to food banks, and creating workplace strategies to counter childhood obesity.

“Developing future leaders with a purpose is our company’s purpose,” said Janice Krupic, CEO of Paragon Leadership. She added that NSF, a not-for-profit organization involved in public health and safety, is an ideal partner for driving ideas for real change in the industry.

The first one-day forum is taking place on Thursday October 1 at NSF International’s headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As well as NSF and Paragon, other partners in the initiative are the Michigan Farm Bureau, the Food Bank Council of Michigan, and Michigan Nutrition Network.

Businesses are invited to select attendees from their organization. More information and registration is available at www.paragon-lead.com/food​