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US Agriculture Exports Continue to Slide
When you set a record ag trade deficit for the third consecutive year, the decline isn’t an aberration or a coincidence. It is, in fact, growing proof that a key element of your national ag policy is headed in the wrong direction. And, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Aug. 27 Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, America’s ag trade deficit continues to head in the wrong direction with gusto. MORE
Source: Constitution Partners
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Consumer Inflation Slows to Lowest Rate Since February 2021
Inflation continues to loosen its grip on American consumers, with price hikes slowing by the most in three and a half years, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released Wednesday. The Consumer Price Index, a measurement of price changes for a commonly purchased basket of goods and services, briskly retreated from a 2.9% annual increase in July to 2.5% in August, marking the lowest annual increase since February 2021 and landing at a rate that matched the average seen in 2018. MORE
Source: IMA
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US Hiring Rebounds Slightly, Unemployment Rate Dips
Hiring by America’s employers picked up a bit in August from July’s sluggish pace, and the unemployment rate dipped for the first time since March in a sign that the job market may be cooling but remains sturdy. Employers added 142,000 jobs last month, up from just 89,000 in July, the Labor Department said Friday. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.2% from 4.3% in July, which had been the highest level in nearly three years. MORE
Source: WMC
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October 16th In Person Cyber Presentation and Workshop!
Date: October 16th
Time: 10:30am – 1:30pm
Location: M3 Madison, 828 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI
M3/CLA and the Cooperative Network are partnering on a cyber security presentation and hands-on workshop at the M3 Madison office on October 16th.!
This will be a very good opportunity for participants to learn:
- Updates on emerging cyber threats
- The use of AI in cyber-attacks
- The critical role that a cyber response plan and a properly structured insurance program can play in an organization’s risk management program.
The presentation (which is also available virtually) will be followed by lunch and a hands-on risk response workshop. More Information & Registration
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Consumer Brands Voices Concern Over Required FOP Labels
The FDA is developing front-of-package nutrition labels to assist consumers in making healthier food choices as part of the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health and is set to publish a proposed rule this year. The Consumer Brands Association expressed concerns about the economic impact, with label changes costing between $1 million to $26 million per brand. MORE
Source: CBA
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Wolter Expands into Atlanta, GA with Acquisition of Dedicated Material Handling Solutions | |
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Brookfield, WI - Sept 4th, 2024 - Wolter Inc., a leading provider of material handling solutions across seven states in the Midwest, has strategically expanded its footprint by acquiring Dedicated Material Handling Solutions (DMHS). With two established locations in Buford and Atlanta, GA, DMHS has a strong presence in the Atlanta metro market, positioning Wolter Inc. for significant growth in the Southeastern United States.
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OSHA Publishes Proposed Rule on Indoor/Outdoor Heat
OSHA is seeking comment on a proposed rule aimed at protecting indoor and outdoor workers from heat-related illnesses. According to a notice of proposed rulemaking published Aug. 30, employers would have to formulate and implement a heat-related illness and injury prevention plan for each worksite. That plan would need to be in writing if the employer has more than 10 employees. MORE
Source: WMC
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OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention Proposed Rule Officially Published in the Federal Register Back on July 2nd, OSHA “revealed” an unofficial pre-publication version of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for a federal Indoor and Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Rule. After a peculiar delay (apparently the result of having to format the numerous tables, charts, and graphics from the 1,000+ page NPRM package), the official NPRM was published in the Federal Register last week, on Friday, August 30th.
We have reviewed the official NPRM and verified that OSHA did not make any substantive changes to the proposed rule from the version that had been revealed back in July. Here is a link to our analysis about OSHA’s proposed Heat Illness Standard.
Source: Conn Maciel Carey
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California Passes Bill Banning Six Color Additives in Schools
Red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, blue 1, blue 2 and green 3 will be prohibited from foods in public schools after Dec. 31, 2027. MORE
Source: FoodProcessing.com
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Last Year’s Total Property Tax Levies Across Wisconsin Saw Biggest Increase Since 2007
Total property tax levies approved by local governments across Wisconsin last year saw their largest increase since 2007, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Property tax levies increased by 4.6 percent statewide, almost double the previous year’s increase and exceeded the 4.1 percent inflation rate in 2023, according to the Policy Forum’s newest annual analysis of property taxes. That comes after two years where the Policy Forum says inflation substantially outpaced statewide levy increases. MORE
Source: WisPolitics
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General Mills CEO: Brands are Returning to Expansion
Leaders at General Mills are confident about future growth potential with more investment in brands, and CEO Jeffrey Harmening said, "we have regained momentum in most of our categories" and "we are approaching a space where category growth is what it was before the pandemic." MORE
Source: CBA
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B&G Foods Seeks to Grow its Spices
and Meals Businesses
B&G Foods' CEO Kenneth Keller has spearheaded an effort to analyze the company's brands and clarify its focus going forward, and that process has led the company to exit the cookies, crackers and frozen vegetables categories while seeking growth opportunities for its spices and seasonings, meals and baking staples businesses. MORE
Source: CBA
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How Conagra's CFO Provides Agility in Leadership
As chief financial officer of Conagra Brands, Dave Marberger helped the company navigate its way through the pandemic and handle supply chain disruptions and inflation while also providing leadership through a $7 billion sale by maintaining a focus on agility, and through it all he said the company is well-positioned while "moving in the right direction." MORE
Source: CBA
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2 Minnesota Food Companies Create Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bacon
A couple of companies based in Minnesota have mixed their breakfast favorites together to create a new food. Golden Valley's General Mills has lent some "Cinnadust" from its popular Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal to the makers of Hormel Black Label bacon — concocting the limited-edition Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bacon. MORE
Source: MN Chamber
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Save the Date! 2024 Meetings & Events | | |
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FOLLOW MIDWEST FOOD
PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION
ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
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