FoodPAC Releases FY 2008 Annual Report

FoodPAC's Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report gives an overview of the Traditional Industries Program for Food Processing, provides the FoodPAC committee leadership listing, and highlights the research results of 17 projects conducted during FY 2008 as well as activity plans for FY 2009.

The report is available to all members of Georgia's food processing industry. To receive a copy, contact Kristi Spivey at (404) 894-3412 or email kristi.spivey@gtri.gatech.edu. The report can also be viewed or downloaded online here.

Update on FY 2010 State Budget

Many of you are already aware that the Governor's budget recommendation for FY 2010 did not include funding for Georgia's Traditional Industries Program for Food Processing or the other two Traditional Industries Programs covering textiles and forest products. Because of this development, the Call for Proposals and committee evaluation process have been halted until a final budget is approved by the Legislature.

According to Mike Giles, FoodPAC co-executive coordinator, the cuts are due to the severe revenue challenges facing all of state government. "FoodPAC advocates are exploring ways to maintain some level of funding for FY 2010 and beyond; however, there are certainly no guarantees that this will be possible given the realities of the state budget situation," says Giles.

The FY 2010 budget is expected to be finalized in April. Look for an update in the next issue of The Food Chain.

Project Spotlight

Development of an Automated Mid-Line Inspection System for Sausage Patty Product

FoodPAC researchers have completed the first year of research to design a machine capable of performing the critical mid-line inspection tasks associated with the verification of the quality and safety of cooked sausage patty product.

Researcher Profile

Daniel Geller

Principal Investigator of FY 2009 Project:
"Development of the Georgia Food Processor Alternative Fuels and Biodiesel Feedstock Database"

Job title: Public Service Representative/Faculty Engineer, University of Georgia

Industrial Partners: A Closer Look

As a part of Georgia’s Traditional Industries Program, FoodPAC was designed to bring industry leaders and university-based researchers together to develop and implement practical solutions to improve industrial competitiveness. FoodPAC’s industrial partners represent companies across the food manufacturing sector, ranging from fruits and vegetables to beef and poultry. In each issue, The Food Chain will take a closer look at one of these partners.

Check the Publications page for archived issues of our newsletter, The Food Chain, and FoodPAC's Reports to Industry (annual reports), which give an overview of the research being performed within the Traditional Industries Program.

Also available are the Operational Guidelines for FoodPAC.

Help Us Update Our Mailing List

If you know of someone who would like to receive The Food Chain, please email their name, company, and address to angela.colar@gtri.gatech.edu.