Convention delegates profit from a Golden Sales Opportunity at AFFI's 2004 Western Frozen Food Convention.

In keeping with its theme, "Next Stop Frozens ... A Golden Sales Opportunity," frozen food industry delegates from companies located around the globe gathered at the AFFI Western Frozen Food Convention to network, conduct business, and develop new industry contacts.

The 2004 Western Frozen Food Convention was held March 6-10 at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero Square in San Francisco, CA.

In addition to ample time for business meetings, the Convention featured four highly informative educational sessions which presented delegates the opportunity to learn about issues important to the future of the industry.

Bob Woodward, assistant managing editor of The Washington Post, spoke to delegates at the Convention's Opening Breakfast with an insider's perspective on the current political climate in the United States. Woodward offered insights on the impact in Washington, D.C., of September 11, 2001, and the war in Iraq. In addition, he discussed the importance of this year's presidential and congressional elections, and addressed several public policy issues of interest to frozen food executives. With 2004 being a crucial election year, Woodward's thorough analysis of the latest trends and predictions about the political future proved truly engaging.

"This year's successful Convention can be attributed to the high energy of the event's delegates, the tremendous amount of business conducted by the delegates, as well the quality of speakers and educational sessions. The Western Frozen Food Convention continues to be the premiere event for the industry's leaders to gather together to conduct business and grow the category," said Leslie G. Sarasin, AFFI's president and chief executive officer.

Enhancing and developing business is always the highlight of the Western Frozen Food Convention, and this year was no different. The educational session "Industry-Wide Data Synchronization" featured speaker Omar Hijazi, a principal in A.T. Kearney's Strategic Information Technology Practice. Hijazi spoke to delegates about their uncertainty on how to begin implementing data synchronization technology, and highlighted that successful implementation makes possible collaboration in transaction management, supply chain management, sales and promotion planning and product development.

David Morse, President and CEO of New American Dimensions, Inc., a frequent speaker on U.S. multicultural markets, spoke to convention delegates about the rapidly growing ethnic foods market during the "Ethnic Foods and Multicultural Markets" educational session. Morse is known for having worked with some of the most successful companies in America in developing innovative and profitable ethnic marketing strategies, and discussed the rapidly expanding market opportunities for frozen food companies represented by U.S. Hispanic, Asian American and African American consumers.

AFFI also conducted a Country of Origin Labeling Update, which provided Convention delegates with the latest information regarding the implementation of the country of origin labeling laws mandated by the 2002 Farm Bill. Gary Kushner, partner, Hogan & Hartson, LLC, and Mike Gill, AFFI's vice president of legislative affairs, briefed delegates on developments in Congress and with regulatory agencies regarding this controversial topic.

In addition to the Opening Breakfast and the two roundtable discussions, AFFI also held a "Hot Topics" session designed to address a topic which is top-of-mind with frozen food companies and representatives at the time. "The 'Obesity Issue': Tilting the Scales of Sales," examined the current focus on health and fitness and how it may affect the entire food industry. Jim Gawley, vice president of business development for The Food Institute, Chris Krese, AFFI's senior vice president of industry affairs, and Michelle Lapinski, senior manager and lead member of the food and agriculture team, Business for Social Responsibility, addressed the issue from three perspectives: an analysis of sales, with an emphasis on the "low-carb" trend; a review of research and development trends related to nutrition; and a look at how principles of corporate responsibility can help guide companies' actions in addressing current trends.

The 2005 Western Frozen Food Convention will be held February 12-16 in San Francisco, California.

AFFI Elects New Officers, Directors at Annual Meeting

AFFI elected new officers and members of its Board of Directors at its 63rd Annual Meeting held in San Francisco, California, during the Western Frozen Food Convention.

James Munyon, president, J.R. Simplot Co., Food Group, Boise, Idaho, was elected chairman of the board. He previously served as second vice chairman.

Munyon joined J.R. Simplot Co., Food Group in September 1996 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Food Group. He holds a Master's degree in Food Science from Washington State University, and served as past chairman of the Northwest Food Processors Association.

Angela Cox, group counsel, technical and supply chain, The Coca Cola Co., Houston, Texas, was elected first vice chairman.

Before assuming her current role in November, 2003, Cox served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of The Minute Maid Company, a Division of The Coca-Cola Company, headquartered in Houston, Texas. She joined the Minute Maid division in 1997 as Senior Division Counsel and was promoted to Associate General Counsel in 2001. Cox received a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University and bachelor's degrees from Spelman College in Natural Sciences and Georgia Institute of Technology in Chemical Engineering.

Richard H. Grader, president and chief executive officer, National Frozen Foods Corporation, Seattle, Washington, was elected second vice chairman.

Grader joined National Frozen Foods Corporation in 1988 as Sales Manager/Vice President, where he was responsible for managing National's top sales teams. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Oregon State University and attended the Executive Program in Strategy and Organization at Stanford University.

Robert Brubaker, chairman of the Board and chief executive officer, King & Prince Seafood Corp., Brunswick, Georgia, became AFFI's immediate past chairman of the board following his term as chairman.

Brubaker has been with King & Prince Seafood Corp. since 1967, and served on AFFI's Board of Directors from 1989 to 1992. He was president and chairman of the National Shrimp Breaders & Processors Association from 1979 to 1983. Brubaker has also served many civic organizations, including positions on the Board of Directors for the United Way, Boy Scouts of America and the Salvation Army.

AFFI also elected the following new members to its 24-member Board of Directors to serve three-year terms:

* Bryan Badger, vice president of marketing, Nestle USA, Inc., Solon, Ohio;

* John Buckles, vice president sales, natural and frozen foods, Kellogg Co., Battle Creek, Michigan;

* Greg Costley, chief executive officer, J.R. Wood, Inc., Atwater, California;

* Greg Flack, senior vice president and general manager, The Schwan Food Co., Marshall, Minnesota;

* Chris J. Krumrey, senior director, quality assurance, ConAgra Foods Retail Products Co., Frozen Foods Group;

* James E. Matthews, Jr., vice president, research and quality products, Heinz North America, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and

* John Signorino, president and chief executive officer, Ruiz Food Products, Inc., Dinuba, California.

In addition to its four officers, AFFI also appointed the following board members to at-large positions on its Executive Committee for one-year terms:

* John T. Geocaris, president, Little Lady Foods, Inc., Elk Grove Village, Illinois;

* Richard H. Grader, president and chief executive officer, National Frozen Foods Corporation, Seattle, Washington; and

* James E. Matthews, Jr., vice president, research and quality products, H.J. Heinz Co., Heinz North America, Consumer Products Division, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

AFFI's 21st Annual Distribution and Logistics Conference to Focus on "Driving Technology, Merging Opportunities"

AFFI's 21st Annual Distribution and Logistics Conference, "Driving Technology, Merging Opportunities," will be held June 13-15, 2004, at the San Diego Sheraton Hotel & Marina in San Diego, California. Attendees also will have an opportunity to receive a reduced rate for a primer on the issue of food trace-back, a separate timely event that will be held June 15-16, 2004, at the same location.

The theme of this year's Conference is data synchronization and new technologies in the supply chain. Computers and the internet allow food processors to gather vast amounts of information automatically. How processors share and communicate this information with their suppliers and customers is the primary component which enables the industry to work together to ensure that costs are continually evaluated and efficiencies derived from this information.

"The business case for global data synchronization is simple: data synchronization equals dollar savings. The 2004 Conference will explore this and other advancing technologies in the supply chain. Twenty-first century business models rely on just-in-time delivery, as well as on the information that makes it possible," said Leslie G. Sarasin, CAE, AFFI's president and chief executive officer.

Dennis Marrison, senior vice president, Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC) and president EAN/UCC, will keynote this year's Conference. UCC, inc., is the industry leader on data management and technology, and will discuss its future in the food industry.

A long-time industry expert, John Leveneu, ConAgra Foods, Inc., will address challenges the warehouse industry faces in the 21st century during the "New Technology Efficiencies in Cold Chain Management" session. In addition, Omar Hijazi, principal, A.T. Kearny, Inc., will explain the global data synchronization model, and how it can enhance the productivity of frozen food companies. Sessions regarding the military supply chain, homeland security and foodservice/retailer relations also will be held during the three-day conference.

The separate primer on food trace-back is being held in response to AFFI member requests. Further information regarding the primer's program will be forthcoming.

The deadline to reserve a hotel room is May 19, 2004. For more information, contact Jenny Mitchell, AFFI's manager of conventions and meetings, at [phone], or visit the "Events Section" of AFFI's website, at http://www.AFFI.com.

AFFI's 2003 Frozen Food Pack Statistics Book Now Available on http://www.AFFI.com

Frozen vegetable production rises four percent in 2003

AFFI recently published its annual Frozen Food Pack Statistics Book. The 2003 Frozen Food Pack Statistics Book is a compilation of authoritative production statistics, which provide information to AFFI member company representatives about the size and scope of the frozen food industry.

"Among the noteworthy findings of resource is a four percent growth in frozen vegetable production in 2003. AFFI prides itself on providing member companies with valuable resources, including annual production statistics for frozen fruits and vegetables. The "Pack Book" allows companies to ascertain their position in the over-all market," said Leslie G. Sarasin, CAE, president and chief executive officer of the American Frozen Food Institute.

The statistics are strictly historical and are compiled from reports received from individual processors and other sources as noted. The data presented represent the commercial pack and do not include the production in frozen food locker plants, or other non-commercial facilities.

The format and techniques used in the compilation of this report were developed under the direction of AFFI's Statistics Committee. The Statistics Committee is comprised of executives in frozen food processing companies. They meet annually to review and revise AFFI's statistical programs and recommend policy to AFFI's board of directors.

The 2003 Frozen Food Pack Statistics Book is available to AFFI members on the Member's Only section of AFFI's website, http://www.AFFI.com. Non-members interested in obtaining a copy of the 2003 Frozen Food Pack Statistics Book, are invited to contact Evan Kettig, AFFI's financial specialist, at [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

Texas Mexico Frozen Food Council Announces Launch of Website

In an effort to communicate more effectively and to provide more up-to-date information to its member companies, consumers, and the media, the Texas Mexico Frozen Food Council (TMFFC), which is managed by AFFI, announced the launch of its website: http://www.AFFI.com/texmex/index.asp

Gordon Redgate, President of Commodity Management Services, and current President of the TMFFC Board of Directors, stated, "This web-based resource will allow the public to access information on research initiatives undertaken by the Council, a TMFFC member company directory, as well as up-to-date information regarding the Council's annual conference and Frozen Food Fiesta."

The Texas-Mexico Frozen Food Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the advancement of the food industries in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Membership includes companies and individuals representing many food processors, food services, food distribution, marketing organizations, and logistics experts. The council has been very active in supporting the increased flow of frozen food products throughout North America. In addition, the Council has teamed with the national growers associations in sponsoring research projects that will enhance the quality of food products being manufactured in North America.

In addition, the TMFFC website will contain promotional materials for the 19th Annual Frozen Food Fiesta, scheduled to be held May 13-15, 2004, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The theme of this year's event is "Moving Forward, Preserving Excellence." Speakers include: the Honorable Fernando Canales, Secretary of Commerce, Republic of Mexico; the Honorable A. Ellen Terpstra, Administrator, Foreign Agriculture Service, United States Department of Agriculture; and Mr. Todd Jackson, National Logistics, US Foodservice, Inc.

In addition, this year's conference will include a "working lunch" panel discussion consisting of experts from the governments of the United States, Mexico and Canada.

TMFFC's new web site will be a component of AFFI's website, http://www.AFFI.com