NARA Blog
Thanksgiving and Food Waste
From Farm to Feast: Practicing Thanksgiving Food Waste Sustainability Thanksgiving is always a special time of year; it marks the beginning of the holiday season and offers a time filled with gratitude, quality time with friends and family, and the oh-so-exciting Thanksgiving dinner. However, along with our Thanksgiving turkeys and cornbread stuffing, unfortunately come millions of pounds of food waste. From the leftovers we don’t finish to the roughly 50% of the Thanksgiving turkey considered
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
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
Celebrating National Cat Day: Sustainability and Nutrition for Our Feline Friends
Renderers and those supporting the rendering industry are dedicated to enhancing sustainability while keeping our pets’ diets nutritious. In addition to Halloween, October boasts National Cat Day – the perfect time to spotlight how rendering benefits our feline friends by making their food sustainable and healthy! National Cat Day Observed on October 29 in the U.S. and Canada, National Cat Day was founded in 2005 by lifestyle writer Colleen Paige. The day raises awareness about
Taking a Deep Dive Into the World of Aquaculture
In the latest episode of NARA’s rendering podcast, The Invisible Industry, we take a deep dive into the world of aquaculture, a topic often discussed in rendering but explored in-depth on the podcast only now for the first time. Host Marcus Wintzer is joined by Dr. George Chamberlain, President of the Center for Responsible Seafood, who shares his extensive knowledge of the aquaculture industry. The discussion starts with the basics of the industry, offering insights
Explore Careers in the Rendering Industry with NARA's Podcast, The Invisible Industry
Have you discovered NARA’s podcast, The Invisible Industry? Whether you’re involved in the Animal Agriculture or rendering industries, or simply curious about how rendering supports sustainability, reduces food waste, and drives the circular economy, this podcast is your gateway to understanding the vital role of rendering. In our latest episode, we dive deep into the diverse career opportunities within the rendering industry. Episode 8 takes a unique approach by featuring voices from within the industry—those who
Celebrating National Junk Food Day: From French Fries to Biofuel and Beyond
July 21st is National Junk Food Day and that is the perfect excuse to indulge in our favorite guilty pleasures, from crispy fries to juicy burgers. But while we’re enjoying these treats, it’s important to explore the journey the by-products of our junk foods take (like what happens to the oil they are cooked in which is aptly called used cooking oil or UCO), and how the journey of those by-products contributes to a more sustainable
NARA's 2024 Congressional Fly-In: Advocating for the Rendering Industry
The North American Renderers Association (NARA) recently hosted its annual Congressional Fly-In in Washington, D.C., from June 10-12. This three-day event brought together NARA members who came to our Nation’s Capital from all over the U.S. to advocate for the rendering industry’s interests. Productive Meetings with Policymakers Throughout the Fly-In, NARA members met with engaged in meaningful discussions with their Representatives, and their staff. Key topics included: Sustainability Regulatory Concerns Trade Environmental Stewardship Food
Senators Advocate for Including Rendering in National Food Waste Strategy
In a significant move to address the critical issue of food waste, a bipartisan group of eight Senators has urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to incorporate rendering into the Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics. You can read the full letter they sent here. The Senators Behind the Initiative Led by Senators Roger Marshall, Michael Bennet, and
Celebrating the 2nd Annual National Rendering Day - April 21, 2024
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
