bdaf9f35a944a9596af82893c859e3aa.jpg

NJ Food Processors event will focus on business sustainability programs

By Michele Hujber
Members and prospective members of the New Jersey Food Processors Association (NJFPA) are invited to explore socially responsible and sustainable business practices at the next NJFPA Networking Dinner on Wednesday, October 17, at the Rutgers EcoComplex in Bordentown, NJ. The event includes a cocktail reception beginning at 6:00 p.m., buffet dinner from 6:30 p.m. n 7:15 p.m. and educational program from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The cost for attendance at this event is just $60 per person.
The educational program, “How to Build a Socially Responsible and Sustainable Business that Improves Your Profitability,” will feature two speakers who will address sustainability programs for the food industry: Dr. Kevin Lyons, professor at the Rutgers Business School in the Department of Supply Chain Management and Marketing Sciences and a research professor in supply chain archeology at the Rutgers Center for Supply Chain Management; and Niki Kelley, corporate social responsibility communications manager at Campbell Soup Company.
Lyons is an associate director and researcher at the Rutgers Energy Institute and associate director for business development at the Rutgers EcoComplex. In his presentation, Lyons will illustrate how the integration of economics, sustainability, supply chain and on-going supply chain archeology research can provide an application for high-performing business professionals and organizations. He will draw upon his findings at the Supply Chain Archeology Research Lab at Rutgers, which he established. His research there has led to new product development and innovation and new municipal solid waste planning.
Kelley will give a presentation on Campbell’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability program. The presentation will highlight the ways in which the elements of the Campbell program can be applied to small and mid-sized companies. She will highlight the benefits of CSR and sustainability, such as enhanced operational efficiency and environmental performance, reduced costs, stronger employee-customer relationships and, ultimately, increased business advantage.
“Our members, guests and prospective members will not want to miss these critically important presentations that demonstrate how businesses can implement sustainability protocols that help them to improve their bottom line,” said Dimitri Pappas, president of the NJFPA and vice president of human resources at Clement Pappas & Co., Inc. “Our Networking Dinners are designed to inform people in the industry about issues that are of specific value and concern to their businesses. In addition, our members benefit from networking opportunities and find this to be an invaluable way to make new contacts.”
Information on registration for the Networking Dinner can be found on the home page of the NJFPA website at http://www.njfoodprocessors.org/. The Rutgers EcoComplex is located at 1200 Florence-Columbus Rd. in Bordentown, New Jerey. Directions are available at http://bit.ly/EcoDir. Registration for this event is requested by October 5.
NJFPA Associate members are invited to sponsor this event. For information about becoming a sponsor, please contact Christine Higgins, assistant executive director of NJFPA, at 609-392-5558 or [email protected].
The NJFPA is an organization of manufacturers of food and agricultural products and of suppliers of materials and services to this industry, joined together to promote best practices, share information and expand the industry in the Garden State. Visit their web site at http://www.njfoodprocessors.org/.