Milling & Baking News - November 15, 2005 - 7

E D I T O R I A L

New face on flour milling heralded by NAMA convention

eldom has a convention of executives of grain-based
foods heard welcome words more clearly stated than
the declaration by Guy Shoemaker, chairman of the
North American Millers' Association, at the recent NAMA
gathering that "the downward trend in flour consumption
is over." Mr. Shoemaker, who has considerable authority in
his position as president of one of the three largest North
American milling companies, not only expressed this view
about the end of the troubling downward trend of the prior
several years, but went the step further to say, "We're at the
beginning of the turnaround."
Especially telling in Mr. Shoemaker's remarks, to this
year's NAMA convention in Washington, was the way
that his peers in flour milling either smiled or shook their
heads in agreement. Private conversations with many
millers revealed that their businesses, too, reflected
stability, some even buoyancy, in the flour marketplace,
bolstered by a feeling demand might be on the cusp of
increasing. From the start of the 21st century, flour milling and its counterparts in grain-based foods have been
stung by the impact of low-carbohydrate dieting. It was
the demise of businesses built on these diets, like that
created by Dr. Robert Atkins, that first heralded the approaching revival of flour consumption. Yet, everyone
within hearing, as well as those who read the news,
could only be heartened by the positive perspective Mr.
Shoemaker put on the state of the business.

Not bravado, but realistic
As the NAMA chairman also indicated, figures thus
far released by the Census Bureau on flour production,
covering the first half of 2005, do not confirm the accuracy of what he said. "I'll admit there are not facts from
the government to support that belief, but I'm declaring
the end of the downward trend," Mr. Shoemaker said. Uttered by others, that declaration might have been viewed
as bravado on the part of an association leader. Coming
from Mr. Shoemaker, whose credibility and knowledge of
milling are impeccable, the absence of affirming numbers
is not regarded as anything but a time lag in reporting
how much flour is being produced by mills.
This message ought not be interpreted as one of satisfaction. Instead, it could best be described as one of relief
about a hiatus from just one of the sour experiences milling has experienced in the past, and will certainly face
again in the future. Thus, Mr. Shoemaker, and others,
too, gave voice to the urgent need of the effort by the
Grain Foods Foundation to answer these attacks and
other assaults on the nutritional quality of the industry's
products. Reviewing the extensive collaboration among
millers and between millers and bakers that went into
creating the Foundation, Mr. Shoemaker underscored
how millers had tired of sitting and taking negative
comments without fighting back. The Foundation fulfills the millers' desire "to speak for ourselves."
Much the same viewpoint came from Gary Prince,
chairman of the American Bakers Association, who took
time from a meeting of the A.B.A. board to speak to the
NAMA directors and to thank millers for being "strong
and equal participants." Hailing the positive relationship
that has been forged between bakers and flour millers in
launching and directing the Grain Foods Foundation,
Mr. Prince stressed how important is the continuation
of this work, even though "we've gotten through the
Atkins diet." He called Atkins "one hit on our industry,"
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but warned that "we always have to be vigilant because
there's going to be another wave of something coming."

Need for constant vigilance
Indeed, the 2005 NAMA convention reflected the
need for milling vigilance, not just in the work of the
Foundation to maintain and to increase demand, but
in many other areas that Mr. Shoemaker and others
emphasized. With the meeting in the nation's capital,
it was to be expected that contacts would be cultivated
with both members of Congress and with federal regulatory agencies. Issues addressed covered many topics,
from food product allergen labeling rules about trace
amounts of wheat and soy to the debate within the federal government over how best to provide assistance to
foreign countries in need of food - by sending money
or sending food, or some combination of both. NAMA
has been in the forefront, along with leading aid agencies, in pressing the advantages of food aid shipments.
The possibility of losing this battle, and seeing food aid
brought even lower than it now is, was one of the central
concerns of millers at this year's convention.
Important victories also were claimed. One of these
involved the critical use exemption for the industry to
utilize methyl bromide for fumigation, as well as assuring
a sufficient supply by having the exemption in NAMA's
name. In noting the organization's commitment to an
adequate supply of the best quality grain, Mr. Shoemaker
hailed NAMA's "victory" in defeating import limits on
Canadian hard red spring wheat. He acknowledged that
the battle is still under way, but expressed confidence in
the organization's position finally winning out.
While the generosity of millers in supporting the
Grain Foods Foundation literally marked a new day
in how the industry has treated that important subject,
this year's convention also saw the groundwork laid
for a change from past practice when it comes to basic
agricultural legislation. For many years, NAMA and
its predecessor Millers' National Federation adopted a
nearly neutral role when it came to participating in the
fierce debate that usually rages about the direction of
agricultural policy. Recognizing that a new farm bill will
be considered next year, NAMA has decided to make
its views known, particularly when it comes to assuring "greater parity" in supports for various crops. An
ad hoc committee is being formed to ascertain millers'
ideas about what needs to be changed, and then to present ideas to Congress. In addition to programs affecting
individual grains, the association intends to express
milling's point of view on foreign food aid, as well as
how the conservation reserve is operated.
Achieving so much, while still having a plate full of
important issues, leaves NAMA and its milling members with reason for confidence the industry's affairs are
in good hands. Betsy Faga, the association's steadfast
president, underscored the new proactive stance, as distinct from the reactive approach of the past. It is regard
for her leadership and for the staff she has assembled
that make such a fundamental change possible. It would
be wonderful, indeed, if the new day in demand for
wheat flour and the new face for NAMA as an association intent on realizing progress on many fronts would
coincide. The result would be an industry that has not
just regained its footing but one heading toward achieving remarkable future gains. MBN
Milling & Baking News, November 15, 2005 / 7

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Milling & Baking News - November 15, 2005

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