Speaker confirmations stack up for Identity Preserved International Summit in Hawaii

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When you plan to bring together the world’s leaders in identity preserved agriculture, you need to secure the best and brightest guest speakers and panel guests to set the stage.  

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) has found the cream of the crop with the announcement of its first set of featured speakers and panelists for the second Identity Preserved International Summit Feb. 18-20, 2025, in Honolulu 

“The global demand for Identity Preserved crops continues to expand. With that comes potential customers hungry for information. This summit is intended to help inform customers and potential customers around the world,” said Bob Sinner, SSGA board chair. “I am confident this lineup of speakers will reflect their interests.”

Included in the most recent lineup of confirmed speakers are Paul Maass, Nicole Atchison, Japnit Singh, Molly Burns, Mr. Takashi Sadakane and Mr. Huy Pham. Learn more about the presenters below. 

Paul Maass – CEO, Scoular 

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Scoular, Paul Maass has been responsible for providing the company with worldwide strategic leadership since joining them in 2016. Scoular is a 130-year-old company with over $10 billion in annual sales that provides diverse supply chain solutions in the grain, feed and food ingredient and biofuels industries from over 100 offices and facilities worldwide.  

Prior to joining Scoular, Maass served as president of ConAgra Foods’ Commercial Foods and Private Brands segment, where he led the creation of Ardent Mills, their milling focused partnership with Cargill and CHS and served as board chairman. Maass is a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in agricultural business.  

Nicole Atchison – CEO, Puris 

Nicole Atchison has been CEO of Puris since 2017, helping lead innovation across their company’s portfolio of companies including ingredient technologies, processing technologies, seed genetic strategy and channel strategy. PURIS cultivates a spectrum of plant-based foods and ingredients from U.S.-based organic and non-GMO sources. A native of Minnesota, Nicole holds a doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a degree in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University.  

Japnit Singh – Yamada Consulting & Spire 

Japnit is the Chief Operating Officer at Yamada Consulting and Spire. He specializes in supporting organizations with marketing entry and growth consulting in Asia. With over 15 years of regional experience, he has worked with Fortune 500 companies as well as government agencies from the U.S., Singapore, Spain, Oman and Japan. Singh’s expertise lies in market analytics, business partner matching and go-to-market strategies for multinational organizations as well as small-and-medium-sized businesses. In his career, Japnit has successfully completed over 1,000 market research projects globally.   

Japnit holds a degree in architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture in Delhi, and is a part of the MBM 2004 Batch of AIM. 

Molly Burns – Food Export Midwest/Food Export Northeast 

Based in Chicago, Molly Burns is the Branded Program director for Food Export Midwest & Food Export Northeast. Founded in 1969, Food Export Association is a nonprofit organization that collaborates with regional state agricultural promotion agencies and the United States’ Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Burns works with hundreds of suppliers annually to create strong marketing plans and grow internationally. Burns’ and Food Export’s Branded Program reimburses food and agricultural companies for half of their international marketing expenses. She majored in International Studies at Loyola University-Chicago.  

Mr. Takashi Sadakane & Mr. Huy Pham 

The Identity Preserved International Summit is also excited to welcome Japan’s Agricultural Counselor, Mr. Takashi Sadakane, and Mr. Huy Pham, the Vietnamese agricultural counselor to speak on the significant potential of Japanese and Vietnamese markets for U.S. IP soybeans and other special grains.  

Other previously announced guest speakers include Dr. Phanwin Yokying, applied researcher at the East-West Center, and Ken A. Eriksen, founder of Polaris Analytics & Consulting. The Summit will include presentations and panel sessions from industry leaders exploring topics in identity preserved agriculture, such as electronic documentation, quality assurance, supply, crop conditions and more. The event will also include a trade show, networking opportunities and tours.  

The agenda for the Summit is being updated regularly.  

“Our first Summit was extremely successful, and many customers are already committing to this event again coming up in February 2025,” said Sinner.  

Interested in attending the Identity Preserved International Summit in 2025? Register now at usipsummit.com! International attendees may be eligible for complimentary registration. 

Businesses interested in sponsoring and/or exhibiting at this one-of-a-kind conference can view options at this link. 

 

 

 

U.S. Identity Preserved shines in Nepal

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A delegation representing SSGA and U.S. Identity Preserved helped make history in Nepal in September.

Not only did they award a certificate to Shree Radne Rani International Trading, one of the first international companies to use the U.S. Identity Preserved brand mark on their retail packaging and marketing materials, SSGA also made inroads with other soy food manufacturers during retail market visits and at the U.S. Identity Preserved International Workshop.

The SSGA delegation, which included Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick, IP Technical Consultant Rob Prather, Minnesota farmer Tom Frisch and SSGA’s South Asia Technical Advisor Philip Shull, visited several soy food manufacturers and retail markets where they saw U.S. identity preserved soybeans used in various soy snacks such as fried and roasted snack mixes, soy nuts, tofu, soy flour and more.

The tours were led by Gaurav Agrawal, director of Shree Radne Rani International Trading, the first South Asia importer of identity preserved soybeans from the U.S., which arrived in March 2024.

Companies, including over four decade-old stores and shops, have given high praise to using identity preserved beans, reporting more consistent bean size, better taste and feel and high protein. Economic efficiencies have been another noted benefit, including a ready-to-make quality that eliminates extra cleaning and sorting.

“In just a few months since the first container of U.S. IP soybeans arrived in Nepal, consumers are already reporting differences in taste and quality, while manufacturers are seeing results in production efficiencies,” Frederick said. “They could hardly wait to show off the origin of their new ingredients.”

SSGA ended its time in Nepal by hosting an U.S. Identity Preserved International Workshop, with U.S. Soybean Export Council as a partner, along with support from the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), Missouri Soybeans, North Dakota Soybean Council and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board. The workshop featured more than 70 attendees, including Nepali soy food manufacturers, traders and related organizations. Media in attendance included The Kathmandu Post, The Himalayan Times, Kantipur, and Himalayan TV.

Presentations during the workshop outlined the growing process and value of identity preserved crops and its potential in Nepal’s food and beverage sector. Soy food consultant Nishith Kumar led manufacturing demonstrations and sampling of soy foods made with the very first shipment of U.S. identity preserved soybeans that were delivered to Nepal in March. Dr. Suresh Itapu discussed valued added products from whole identity preserved soybeans and Sumit Agarwal of the Soy Food Processors Welfare Association highlighted the value of partnerships among soy food processors.

“I enjoyed being here listening to all the speakers talk about how much IP soybeans mean to them, from food safety and security to nutrition, growing U.S. IP soybeans is a little bit more time consuming and labor intensive but it’s worth it to supply the world with a high-quality, high-protein product,” said Frisch, who serves as MSR&PC chair and spoke about growing identity preserved crops at the workshop. “It’s great to see firsthand the important work SSGA does throughout the world on behalf of Minnesota soybean farmers.”

Strategizing the St. Lawrence Seaway’s potential: SSGA hosts transportation mission to Netherlands, Belgium

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By amplifying the global visibility of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) accomplished a key goal during a first-of-its-kind ag transportation mission to Europe’s largest seaports in Belgium and the Netherlands Sept. 2-6. But a checked box is just a first step in what SSGA has learned in a long, but attainable to-do list ahead.

“What has happened here, is that we’re on the cusp of change,” said Eric Wenberg, executive director of SSGA. “The right people are meeting and talking to each other. This trip is not a trade promotion trip. This is a transportation preference trip. We need to make it clear that the U.S. does have transportation access to these ports and onward to the rest of the world if we need it, but we’re asking the stakeholders to choose a preference from the U.S. and reconsider the Great Lakes.”

Exploring the interconnectivity of commerce

SSGA brought in stakeholders from all over the Midwest, including Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota soy checkoff leaders, the Department of Transportation, USDA and Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, to participate in several networking opportunities and tours to discuss the potential benefits of the St. Lawrence Seaway being chosen as the gateway of choice.

“We need supply chain resiliency and redundancy in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system,” said Peter Hirthe, international trade specialist with the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

Attendees witnessed how industry leaders stay one step ahead at Hutchison Port ECT, recognized as one of Europe’s leading container terminal operators. The terminal utilizes semi-automatic cranes and automated guided vehicles to move containers, enhancing operational efficiency and safety. That followed with a trip to the World Port Center, Samga grain terminal in Belgium and more, giving SSGA and other leaders from the U.S. the opportunity to learn about the interconnectivity of commerce between Europe and the rest of the world.

“From a business development standpoint, success in business development has relied on finding a need. A lot of times the customer doesn’t know what it is they need and what it is that would make it better. Redundancy and resilience-that’s what a lot of our job is going to be, finding the defined needs and coming up with a creative solution,” Gary Williams, SSGA’s director of transportation and regulatory affairs, said.

Joining forces

Through conversations with colleagues and maritime industry leaders from Europe, feelings of optimism grew during the four-day visit.

“The planning of this and the way this was done was extremely unique, but it worked,” said SSGA Chair Bob Sinner. “It’s hard to know who we should have in the room for these types of discussions. To have a room full of logistics providers made sense because they have a lot of companies that export to the U.S. As a shipper, I’m extremely grateful for the understanding of our history and complexities and how difficult freight can be for companies like us.”

U.S. attendees also made it a priority to highlight the importance of the St. Lawrence Seaway at each of the week’s several networking meetings.

“We shared information about the St. Lawrence Seaway, like the fact that it had 99.4% on-time deliveries, that it is very environmentally sustainable and is a direct path to Rotterdam,” said Gail Donkers, who represents MSR&PC on SSGA’s board of directors. “Our trade mission delegation had time to meet with the transportation specialists to discuss our objectives and look at how each company could benefit from shipping goods along the St. Lawrence Seaway as a back haul.”

Finding a route for success

The visit wrapped up with an opportunity for U.S. attendees to gather to brainstorm, reflect and develop a vision for what the next steps entail.

“What we’ve learned on the trip is that there are billions of dollars being invested in infrastructure,” Wenberg said. “Being here to talk to the U.S. administration, and embassy in these ports along with the St. Lawrence Seaway administration means we can continue to target and support the infrastructure developments we need to support the Lakes system.”

For SSGA, this unique mission is only just beginning in further optimizing the St. Lawrence Seaway and will require collaboration from the region to find success.

“It really is a connection to Europe,” Wenberg said. “Sixty percent of the economy of the EU is within 500 miles of these ports in the U.S. If Europe wants to connect with our consumers in Toronto, Canada and Chicago and our eight Great Lakes seaway states, we have to build this trade force together.”

SSGA showcases U.S. Identity Preserved at Soy Connext

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At the heart of the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance’s (SSGA) mission to “build, grow and sustain a reliable supply chain that ensures integrity of the end product” is connection. 

Soy Connext 2024, hosted by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), was an ideal setting for SSGA to connect with more than 700 soy industry leaders and buyers representing over 60 countries. 

“It was fantastic,” SSGA Board Member Chuck Kunisch said.  

Held Aug. 19-21 in San Francisco, SSGA and the U.S. Identity Preserved program were sponsors of Soy Connext, where they engaged in several constructive conversations about identity preserved agriculture in the United States. 

“It was an opportunity for outreach and to see a lot of people to talk about the things that SSGA is doing,” said Shane Frederick, SSGA manager of strategic programs. “It’s good that we’re out there as part of the entire value chain.” 

The U.S. Identity Preserved program, which is overseen by SSGA, ensures customers receive the exact qualities and characteristics that they order utilizing documented, traceable practices. With over 400 attendees being international soy customers, there were ample opportunities to highlight the program. 

“Our booth had a lot of traffic, so we got the chance to talk a lot about the U.S. Identity Preserved program,” Frederick said. “There was a fairly large group that was interested in buying food-grade and non-GMO soybeans.” 

Soy Connext was more than just networking and making connections. The conference was chock full of educational sessions. 

“I thought the education sessions were fantastic,” Kunisch said. “I can’t wait until they post the videos so I can watch them again and really digest what the speakers had to say.” 

During the educational sessions, SSGA participated in the Soy Foods Sourcing Session, with Frederick speaking about “What Goes into the Soybean Premium” and Rob Prather presenting on “Non-GMO Sourcing, Timelines and Advice.” 

“Our hope was to help attendees understand forward contracting and variety selection for identity preserved,” Frederick said. 

With Soy Connext in the rearview mirror, SSGA is now looking to future projects and endeavors. 

“We’re really working on collaborating between USSEC and SSGA,” Kunisch said. “Even though we both promote U.S. Soy, we do it in different ways and it can benefit both of us by working together.” 

SSGA returns from Manila mission

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The Philippines boast the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia, which means opportunities for growth and innovation in specialty food products – such as those made with ingredients from identity preserved field crops.

SSGA led a delegation representing the identity preserved value chain to Manila last week for a series of meetings with food manufacturers, traders and business associations as part of a regional workshop promoting high-quality, traceable grains and oilseeds from the United States, along with the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand label program.

The group included SSGA board directors Chuck Kunisch (Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC)) and Bryan Severs (Illinois Soybean Association), IP expert consultant Rob Prather and SSGA Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick, along with Southeast Asia representatives from the organization’s global management team.

SSGA met with a variety of business at different stages of purchasing identity preserved products, including companies with long relationships with U.S. suppliers, companies considering adding new products with specialty and IP ingredients to their portfolios and others that are new to IP products. SSGA is working on trade leads ranging from identity preserved/food-grade soybeans to specialty grains following conversations in those meetings.

“We had some great conversations,” Frederick said. “We provided plenty of information but learned a lot ourselves. There are some great opportunities for SSGA member companies and the U.S. Identity Preserved brand in the Philippines.”

Frederick introduced SSGA, “the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance,” and spoke about the IP brand and label program, while Prather discussed contracting and grading. Severs, who grows a variety of non-GMO soybeans near Potomac, Illinois, emphasized the extra work segregation practices that take place in specialty field crop farming. Kunisch highlighted variety specificity and the process of cleaning, sorting and shipping of IP crops at SSGA-member facilities such as MAC.

“SSGA’s ‘fork to farm’ message is one that resonates with buyers and potential buyers,” Frederick said. “Understanding that IP means choosing the varieties you want and need and getting what you order so you can make a high-quality food product for your own customers.”

Additionally, the group met with Philfoodex, the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, and received an invitation for SSGA to speak virtually at that organization’s annual meeting next month. The delegation also had a debriefing at the U.S. Embassy with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service staff posted in Manila.

SSGA also held a U.S. Identity Preserved Workshop in Tokyo during the FoodEx Japan trade show in March and is planning another for Kathmandu, Nepal, in September, hitting each of its primary target regions – North Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia before holding the second Identity Preserved International Summit Feb. 18-20, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

SSGA’s 2024 Identity Preserved Workshops have been sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, North Dakota Soybean Council and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board as part of their support of the Identity Preserved International Summit.

The U.S. Identity Preserved program receives support from the Illinois Soybean Association, Michigan Soybean Committee, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, South Dakota Soybean Checkoff and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, along with funding from a USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion grant and added support from the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

SSGA encourages businesses to tell their story through sponsorship at Identity Preserved International Summit

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Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) is excited to once again host the Identity Preserved International Summit Feb. 18-20, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Summit serves as an ample opportunity to bring together exporters, buyers, sellers and more.

Coming on the heels of a year that saw outstanding participation, with nearly 200 attendees, the Summit has a global reputation that resonated with eight states and 50 foreign buyers in 2023. Many company leaders who attended last year saw continued benefits spill into 2024, with a boost in business.

“The Summit is a business-to-business meeting. It isn’t an ‘ideas’ meeting, it’s a ‘grow your business’ meeting,” said Eric Wenberg, SSGA executive director.

The Summit will cover transportation, seed and certifications, equipment, Asia business and trade updates, testing and protocols and market forecasts. Its location in Honolulu, Hawaii, was carefully chosen, since it’s often seen as the gateway to Asia and is a six-hour flight from Tokyo, and seven hours from Seoul.

“Our buyers come and stay at the show because the content is focused on what they want,” Wenberg said. “That makes the company exporters happy, and thus helps your business as you watch the trends.”

Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to the Summit Sponsor at $25,000, which offers numerous opportunities to market your business and share your business story on the SSGA website and newsletter. Sponsorship packages also include the chance to get a discounted registration rate on additional attendees to the Summit.

“When it comes to support, we need businesses like yours to make this event such a success,” Wenberg said. “When you commit now that secures your business in getting the maximum exposure.”

Detailed sponsorship information and registration details can be found here.

Identity Preserved International Workshop headed to Nepal

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SSGA is organizing an Identity Preserved International Workshop for Sept. 19 at the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal. The workshop will include Nepali and Indian soy food processors, traders, and chefs, along with SSGA, U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and U.S. government participants, including Tom Frisch, Minnesota farmer and chair of the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSRPC). The purpose of the workshop is to explain the value and benefits of U.S. identity preserved grains and oilseeds, and to feature a wide variety of local foods made from U.S. identity preserved soy, featuring nuts, flours, tofu and a wide range of desserts.

SSGA’s extensive work with Nepali importers played a key role in the first-ever commercial delivery of U.S. identity preserved soy to Nepal in March 2024. The response from processors and retailers was so positive that the importer purchased a second container, which is due to arrive in late August 2024. In addition to growing demand in Nepal, SSGA believes Nepal can serve as a valuable, immediate way for U.S. identity preserved products to reach Indian consumers. SSGA continues to work with USSEC and Indian soy food processors to overcome longstanding tariff and technical barriers preventing direct sales to that 1.4-billion-person market.

SSGA also held a U.S. IP workshop in Tokyo during the FoodEx Japan trade show in March and on their recent mission to Manila, Philippines, satisfying workshops in each of its primary target regions – North Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia before holding the second Identity Preserved International Summit Feb. 18-20, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The workshop series is sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, North Dakota Soybean Council and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council as part of their support of the Identity Preserved International Summit.

More details on the event will be updated here.

Back by popular demand: Identity Preserved International Summit returning in 2025

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Global leaders in identity preserved (IP) agriculture will convene once again for the Identity Preserved International Summit, Feb. 18-20, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Registration and sponsorship information is now available at usipsummit.com. 

Building on the success of the inaugural Summit in 2023, this event will unite oilseed and grains buyers and food manufacturers, growers, processors and exporters for three days of discussion, networking and collaboration. The 2023 event, hosted by the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA), included more than 50 foreign buyers as well as growers, processors and exporters of U.S. Identity Preserved field crops. 

“It’s definitely worth attending,” said Gaurav Agrawal, a 2023 event attendee from Nepal. “The event is an eye-opener for various identity preserved products from the U.S. and an excellent platform for U.S. IP products, buyers and sellers.” 

Agrawal credits the education and connections he made at the 2023 Summit as a major reason for his decision to introduce U.S. identity preserved soy in his food manufacturing business in Nepal. Earlier in 2024, the first commercial sale of identity preserved soybeans from the U.S. to South Asia arrived via container at the dry port of Birgunj, Nepal. Agrawal processed the soybeans into soy food products and delivered samples to several other retailers within days of its arrival. 

“The demand for traceable, premium agricultural products continues to expand,” says Bob Sinner, chair of SSGA. “The Identity Preserved International Summit provides a vital platform to connect stakeholders across the entire supply chain to discuss key issues important to our customers’ businesses.” 

The Summit will include presentations and panel sessions from industry leaders exploring topics in identity preserved agriculture, such as electronic documentation, quality assurance, supply, crop conditions and more. The agenda is being regularly updated here. The event will also include a trade show, networking opportunities and tours. 

Hawaii’s central location for guests from the U.S., Japan, Korea, Taiwan and countries throughout Southeast Asia provides an ideal location for the event. The state’s top agricultural commodities are seed crops, including corn and soybean seeds, giving guests a unique tour opportunity to see the development of new varieties firsthand. 

Those interested in attending the Identity Preserved International Summit in 2025 can register now at usipsummit.com. International attendees may be eligible for complimentary registration. 

Businesses interested in sponsoring and/or exhibiting at this one-of-a-kind conference can view options at this link

SSGA set for Manila mission

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The Philippines were one of the first countries SSGA explored to learn about Southeast Asian markets for identity preserved (IP) field crops and the first to participate in the IP B2B virtual business events during the pandemic. Now, the alliance will visit Manila, that country’s capital, Aug. 6-10 for a series of meetings and U.S. Identity Preserved Workshops with food manufacturers to promote high-quality, traceable grains and oilseeds from the United States and the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand label program.

The delegation includes SSGA board directors Chuck Kunisch (Michigan Agricultural Commodities) and Bryan Severs (Illinois Soybean Association), IP consultant Rob Prather and SSGA Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick, along with representatives of the organization’s global management team.

“We look forward to the opportunity to sit down with food businesses and not only talk about the U.S. Identity Preserved system, companies and crops, but listen to those companies and better understand how we can assist them in communicating the U.S. IP quality and value message to their own customers,” Frederick said.

SSGA plans meetings with a variety of importing companies, U.S. cooperator organizations working in the Philippines and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, and officials with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service posted in Manila.

SSGA also held a U.S. IP workshop in Tokyo during the FoodEx Japan trade show in March and is planning another for Kathmandu, Nepal, in September, hitting each of its primary target regions – North Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia before holding the second Identity Preserved International Summit Feb. 18-20, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

SSGA’s 2024 IP Workshops have been sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, North Dakota Soybean Council and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board as part of their support of the Identity Preserved International Summit.

The U.S. Identity Preserved program receives support from the Illinois Soybean Association, Michigan Soybean Committee, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, South Dakota Soybean Checkoff and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, along with funding from a USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion grant and added support from the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

SSGA earns praise at Attaché Seminar

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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.