SSGA earns praise at Attaché Seminar

SSGA had a chance to showcase itself as the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance and differentiate identity preserved (IP) field crops to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) attachés during the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council’s annual Attaché Seminar on July 10-11 in McLean, Virginia.

SSGA sponsored and put on an immersion training session for attachés at the beginning of the conference. During the invitation-only session, SSGA staff and contractors discussed the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand mark; talked about retail package labeling; and demonstrated how IP field crops are differentiated through segregation, technical handling and traceability, giving customers choice for the ingredients in their high-quality food products.

Speaking on behalf of SSGA were Executive Director Eric Wenberg, Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick, IP technical experts Raquel Hansen and Rob Prather and ICC global management contractors Susan Weller and Amy Burdett.

The training included hands-on experiences for attendees. Hansen asked the group to soak identity preserved and commodity soybeans in hot water at their tables to demonstrate the impressive consistency of IP beans that buyers appreciate. Prather did a grading sample, putting corn through a sieve to show the difference between a No. 1-graded field crop and a cleaner, “above-grade” IP product ready for specific food uses.

“This was a unique opportunity to introduce or, in some cases, re-introduce SSGA to FAS officers who are posted around the world,” Frederick said. “The more they know about this organization, its members companies and identity preserved crops, the more tools they have to assist companies in their assigned countries and connect them with U.S. exporters who can supply them with high-quality ingredients for their own high-quality food products.”

Additionally, there is a quality and traceability with the U.S. Identity Preserved brand that should resonate not just to the food manufacturer but to the consumers who purchase the finished product.

“Customers want to know where their food comes from and how it’s produced,” Frederick said.

SSGA received high marks for the presentation, according to initial post-session surveys.

Said one attendee: “The useful presentations (gave a) more clear explanation of what SSGA wants to accomplish.”

Said another: “Very informative about a growing segment of U.S. agriculture.”

The U.S. Identity Preserved program was created with USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion grant funding.

During a breakout session of Attaché Seminar, SSGA Manager of Transportation and Regulatory Affairs Gary Williams presented and moderated a panel entitled “A Global Look at Transportation Issues.” The panel featured Williams, Federal Maritime Commission Commissioner Max Vekich and Port of Virginia Director of Strategic Accounts Tyler Bemis.

Current challenges and opportunities and an outlook of global ag shipping were discussed, along with updates on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act that was signed into law in 2022. Williams and SSGA Chair Bob Sinner also visited other officials in Washington, D.C., to update them on programs and priorities of SSGA regarding agriculture shipping.

SSGA also joined USSEC and ASA-WISHH to sponsor the coffee and tea available throughout the seminar.