Snac World - August 2016 - (Page 14)

LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT Legislative Summit Brings Industry's Voice to DC SNAC International members protect and promote the snack industry. BY SARAH HUBBART S Photos contributed by SNAC International nack makers and suppliers traveled to Washington, D.C. for SNAC International's Legislative Summit at a critical juncture during the genetically modified organisms (GMO) labeling debate. After more than a year of debate, time was quickly running out for action as Congress had just five weeks left in session before breaking for the summer recess with attention fully turned to the November presidential election. "The Legislative Summit is always an important event for SNAC International, but this year the timing was absolutely crucial to our effort to prevent a confusing patchwork of GMO rules," SNAC International CEO Tom Dempsey said. "It is important for lawmakers to hear directly from those who would be hit the hardest by state-by-state labeling mandates." The annual Legislative Summit, which is offered at no cost to SNAC International members, was held June 7-8. About 50 attendees representing snack companies and allied industry received briefings on key issues, met with more than 75 members of Congress and their staffs and networked Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) shakes hands with Andres Pozuelo, president, Alimentos Jack's de C.A.S.A., after discussing key snack industry issues. 14 SNAC World August 2016 www.snacintl.org with other industry leaders. SNAC International members were also recognized during a special dinner for their ongoing support of SnackPAC, the political action campaign that builds champions for the snack industry. GMO LABELING SNAC International members brought three key messages to Capitol Hill. First, they asked for the Senate to act quickly to pass legislation for a national, uniform GMO labeling solution that had recently been introduced by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). At the time of the Summit, just two weeks remained until Vermont's first in the nation GMO labeling law was scheduled to go in to effect. Since SNAC International members do not manufacture, distribute, and sell in just one state, a patchwork of regulations would be incredibly complex to implement and would impede on interstate commerce. SNAC International asked Congress to act swiftly, in order to prevent chaos in the market and higher costs Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) provides feedback on issues impacting the snack industry to Mark Schwerdtfeger, vice-president, communication and government affairs, Shearer's Foods. Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) discusses GMO labeling with Fritz Kohmann, CFO, Shearer's Snacks. http://www.snacintl.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snac World - August 2016

Snac World - August 2016
Table of Contents
LETTER FROM SFA - SNAC International Leading the Way
GMO Free: Supplier’s Perspective
News - Reasons millennials find snacking fulfilling
Consumers willing to pay extra for quality ingredients
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS - Policy Outlook
LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT - Legislative Summit Brings Industry’s Voice to DC
BUSINESS MEMBER PROFILE - B&G Foods
ASSOCIATE MEMBER PROFILE - Leading with Innovation
CONVENIENCE STORE TRENDS - Victory in Variety
NEW SNACKS
PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Snac World - August 2016