Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 138

COMMENTARY
FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

Kalmia Kniel

As an international association, we
traditionally think about food safety,
security, and sustainability issues
around the globe; however, within the
framework of the COVID-19 pandemic
there is no doubt that we are a global
community. Over the past several
weeks we have all seen the tremendous
efforts by our members maintaining
the food supply chain and ensuring the public with timely scientific
information. Situations around the world have changed quickly, and
honestly, I do not know what the world is like for you right now.
What I do know is that each of you has likely become more familiar
with the inside of your home and online distance connection and
learning software options. These are changing times for distance
education. Personally, I am delivering recorded lectures using
personal capture and meeting with the hundreds of students in my
class this semester using zoom for office hours. It has been wonderful
to witness the outpouring of free technologies for use within K-16
education. Educators around the world are attempting to maintain
connections while also practicing social distancing.
Behind the pandemic, IAFP Members have been busy! The
past few months have included numerous conference calls and
discussions of outstanding award nominations. We have also been
building committees for the 2020-2021 year. There are numerous
opportunities to get more involved in IAFP. We encourage members
to become more involved. Please let me or David Tharp know if
you are interested and we will keep your name in mind for future
discussions. In particular, we welcome interest from members in
international government organizations. If you would like to know
more, please look under the Get Involved tab on the main homepage
and use the drop-down menu to explore Committees.

FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As I mentioned in the last
issue of Food Protection Trends,
our office relocated at the end
of March. Any typical year, this
would not have been much of a
problem, but when you add the
Coronavirus (COVID-19) to the
mix, stress levels increase.
The last week of March as we
were finishing up our packing, we were not sure whether we
could come to work or whether the movers would be able to
show up on Monday. In addition, the building owners were
putting the finishing touches on our new office space and
were uncertain if their crews would be able to complete their
work. Then, we had to wait for the city to inspect the office
space and provide a certificate of occupancy that would allow
us to move in before April 1.

138

Food Protection Trends May/June

Since we are all spending more time online, I thought this might
be a great time to take a look at a few other parts of our website that
you may have previously missed.
On the main page all the way to the right, you will find the
Resources tab, and a drop-down menu that includes the Webinar
Archive. This is a tremendous resource for our members, and you
may find yourself with some time to look at these previously
recorded scientific gems. Now if you look at the second tab from
the left, Publications, you will see multiple opportunities to engage
with our publications, including JFP and FPT (remember your
2020 resolutions), and a link to our Historic Publications. Did you
know that we were not always IAFP, but once IAMFES and before
that four other names beginning with the International Association
of Dairy and Milk Inspectors? I recommend reading the 1937
volume 1 journal to quench your thirst for history. For over a
century IAFP has been blessed with tremendous members paving
the way of food safety.
At the February Board meeting, the IAFP Board approved an
important new policy addressing meeting safety and responsibility
for attendees. IAFP is committed to providing a safe, productive, and
welcoming environment. This policy will be posted with all IAFP
organized meetings (on those websites) and included in the meeting
publications and apps. Speaking of meetings, if you have looked
at the registration portal for the IAFP 2020 Annual Meeting (by
clicking the link off the main IAFP page), you will notice a reduced
registration rate for New Professionals. This rate is for recent college
graduates, who are within 1 year of graduation. We are excited to be
able to offer this reduced rate of meeting registration.
Finally, no matter what is happening in our global community,
stay connected with IAFP through Facebook, Instagram (iafpfood),
and Twitter (@IAFPFood).

David W. Tharp
It all turned out as well as can be expected, but not
without many moving parts and adjustments along the
way! COVID-19 also affected shipments of our office chairs
and file cabinets. File cabinets were coming from Michigan
where the manufacturer closed down three days prior to
our expected shipping date. Our chairs were coming from
California and also ran into delays due to a reduced workforce.
In the whole scheme of things, these delays are minor
hiccups when compared to the devastation caused by
COVID-19. We can wait for these material things to
come when knowing that the country, and the world, is
experiencing a pandemic due to the Coronavirus. We
sincerely hope that you, your family and your friends are
staying healthy and have not been affected by the virus.
Keep safe during these difficult times!
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020

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