SSGA brings US IP suppliers, European buyers together

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) launched its marketing efforts in Europe on Tuesday, Sept. 15 with the U.S. Identity-Preserved Soya and Specialty Grains Virtual Seminar.

The three-hour event was co-organized by the European company Bridge2Food and featured around 100 participants, including European traders and importers, food processors, ingredient companies and food producers and retailers.

The event featured three sessions moderated by Eugene Philhower, SSGA Technical Adviser for Europe. Todd Sinner, partner and vice president of SB&B Foods, presented “How to Buy Identity-Preserved (IP), High-Quality and Segregated Products.” Rob Prather, chief strategic ambassador for Global Processing presented “Why IP Crops Are Worth the Value.” And farmers Joe Morken and Tim Boring were part of a “Fork to Farm” discussion on how U.S. farmers grow and deliver what their customers order.

“We introduced SSGA to Europe,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg said, “and we also committed ourselves to providing messaging from our farmers and growers for the first time.”

The event also allowed participants to conduct live business meetings via chat and video conference. SSGA, Bridge2Food and 10 other companies and groups also participated as exhibitors in Bridge2Food’s unique online platform.