Tallow: A Traditional Fat Making a Sustainable Comeback

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement is reviving interest in tallow, a time-honored and nutrient-rich fat derived from beef or sheep. Known for its sustainability and health benefits, tallow offers a natural alternative to industrial seed oils, making it a favorite among health-conscious consumers and environmentally focused advocates. Tallow’s appeal lies in its minimal processing and high nutrient content, including essential fatty acids and vitamins A, D, E, and K. By utilizing by-products from

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The Invisible Industry Episode 5

This is a transcript of the fifth episode of The Invisible Industry, a podcast brought to you by the North American Renderer’s Association (NARA) Anna: Hi, everyone, and welcome to the Invisible Industry, a podcast where we discuss and educate on everything you didn’t know, you didn’t know about agricultural rendering, brought to you by the North American Renderers Association, or NARA. I’m your moderator, Anna Wilkinson. I am the Vice president of communications for

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Celebrating the 2nd Annual National Rendering Day – April 21, 2024

a logo for national rendering day on april 21

As we gear up for Earth Day on April 22, there’s another important date to mark on your calendar: National Rendering Day, observed on April 21. Organized by the North American Renderers Association (NARA), this day celebrates the vital role of rendering in environmental sustainability and food waste and loss prevention. Why Celebrate Rendering? You might be wondering what rendering is and why it deserves a national day of recognition. Simply put, rendering is the

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2024 International Rendering Symposium

a large group of people are sitting at tables in a conference room

The 2024 International Rendering Symposium, hosted by the North American Renderers Association (NARA) in collaboration with the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), proved to be a pivotal event in exploring the crucial contributions of rendering to sustainability and the global economy. The symposium, which took place in conjunction with the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, kicked off on Thursday, February 1, at 12 p.m. and continued through Friday, February 2,

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Products From Rendering

a green background with the words products from rendering on it

Rendering involves repurposing animal co-products that would otherwise be discarded. It converts inedible meat products into usable material such as fuel, pet food, and livestock feed, creating a highly sustainable alternative. Below, learn more about products made from rendered materials in detail. You can discover even more by listening to the North American Renderers Association (NARA) podcast for free on our website. Why Is Rendering Important? Rendering is vital in the United States, considering that about

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NARA “Hits the Streets” to Talk About Rendering

a man is being interviewed by a woman wearing a nara jacket

In NARA’s newest video, Vice President of Communications, Anna Wilkinson, takes to the “streets” to talk to people about rendering, and ask them what they think the word “rendering” means and you may be surprised by some of the answers! Be sure to share this video so we can continue to educate on the importance of rendering and its many sustainability benefits!   Watch the video on YouTube or on the NARA website.   For

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Have You Checked Out Our Rendering Podcast?

a woman is smiling in front of a nara logo

Have you checked out NARA’s rendering podcast, The Invisible Industry? Whether you are a member of the Animal Ag or rendering industries, or you are just interested in learning about rendering, how rendering supports sustainability, reduced food waste and the circular economy; we invite you to begin your journey by starting with our newest episode!   In this historic 6th episode of the podcast we discuss National Rendering Day, a new National day that is

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Meet NARA’s New Vice President of International Programs – Dana Johnson Downing

Dana Johnson Downing

NARA is excited to introduce our new Vice President of International Programs, Dana Johnson Downing! Dana officially joined our team earlier this month and will be directing NARA’s international marketing program, managing all international promotion, market development, and foreign market access activities. She will oversee and implement market access programs for rendered products throughout the world and represent the U.S. rendering industry in international trade negotiations. The position of Vice President of International Programs also

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Meet NARA’s New Incoming President and CEO: Kent Swisher

a man with a beard and a striped shirt is smiling in front of a tree

On September 1st NARA announced that Kent Swisher has been named the incoming president & CEO of the North American Renderers Association (NARA). He will also serve as president of the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF), the rendering industry’s research organization. Kent will assume leadership upon the retirement of NARA’s current president and CEO, Nancy Foster, on December 31, 2021.   Kent has worked for the North American Renderers Association for over 18 years

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The North American Renderers Association (NARA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate in the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other factor prohibited by law.

As a participant in USDA programs, we share the commitment to comply with all federal, state and local civil rights laws and those of the USDA. More about this commitment is available on the USDA website page here.