Category Archives: Food Industry Events

Jason Klinowski – Panelist at Turnaround Management Association Event

On Friday, September 21, 2012, Jason Klinowski served as one of five panel speakers at the Turnaround Management Association’s “Trying to Stay Healthy in a Distasteful Economy” Breakfast Forum Event, which was held at The Standard Club.  During this event, Jason discussed the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and the Food Safety Modernization Act in order to illustrate some of the challenges they present to the food & agribusiness industries.

Tyler Mayoras of O’Keefe & Associates moderated the panel, which consisted of: Wayne Carpenter (Managing Director of Lake Pacific Partners), Ed Cooper (Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo’s Food & Agribusiness Office), Justin Segel (CEO of American Pasteurization Company), Jason Klinowski (Agricultural & Food Law attorney at Freeborn & Peters) and Troy Terwilliger (CFO of Graceland Fruit).

Midwest Produce Conference + Expo

I wanted to personally thank everyone who came out to Michael Jordan’s Steak House and joined Freeborn & Peters LLP’s Food Industry Team for a cocktail reception following the Midwest Produce Conference + Expo.  For those of you who could not join us, please look for us at the upcoming PMA Fresh Summit Convention this October!

New PACA WebGuide Launched

McCarron & Diess recently launched what they are calling a PACA Web Guide.

“This WebGuide is written in non-legal language, and is searchable to obtain general information about PACA, or about a particular PACA issue.”

The WebGuide’s author warns its readers that “problems under the PACA often need further clarification from PACA officials or an attorney.  The WebGuide is not legal advice.” 

The USDA also maintains lots of free online information about PACA and it provides a free online training course that may be accessed here: USDA’s Online PACA Training.  This 10 part course is written in a non-legal language and those who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate from the USDA.  The purpose of the USDA’s online PACA training course is to provide you with valuable information on your rights and responsibilities under PACA.

Some of the topics covered in the USDA’s online training course include:

  • The difference between a Price After Sale transaction and a Consignment
  • How to make a claim for damages in the event of a breach of contract
  • How to preserve and enforce PACA trust rights
  • How to interpret an inspection certificate
  • When to expect payment
  • What constitutes a proper rejection of produce, and the consequences of acceptance
  • And more…

As a Produce Industry advocate, I am a big fan of free access to information that is important to the day-to-day operations of the industry.

Video Presentations from Freeborn & Peters’ SOLD OUT Food Safety Event

For those of you who could not attend our recent food safety event at the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago, IL on March 1, 2012, please follow the link below to see take look at the video recordings of the keynote speakers and panel discussions.  

Opportunities and Challenges in Food Importation Event Video Library

This sold out event provided some VERY important and timely information about the Food Safety Modernization Act, the FDA’s food traceability pilot programs, and the current thinking of industry leaders.

The Opportunity and Challenge of Food Importation

Freeborn & Peters’ Food Industry Team is proud to sponsor the Global Midwest Alliance’s Chicago Winter Food Industry and Technology Event on March 1, 2012.

Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Robert E. Brackett, Vice President and Director, The Institute for Food Safety and Health at the Illinois Institute of Technology.  Dr. Brackett will discuss: How Importers Can Prepare for the Impact of the Food Safety Modernization Act.

Also featuring Industry Update Speaker Tejas Bhatt, Staff Scientist, The Institute of Food Technologists.   Mr. Bhatt will discuss: The FDA’s Food Safety Pilot Program: Meeting the Challenge of Traceability.

***This event is the part of the Global Midwest Alliance Food Trade and Technology Series.

http://foodindustry.eventbrite.com