NARA Blog
National Farmer’s Day
Every October 12, National Farmer’s Day gives us a chance to pause and thank the people whose work sustains us every single day. From the ranchers who raise livestock to the processors who turn byproducts into valuable materials, agriculture’s backbone is built by those who see opportunity where others might see waste. And nowhere is that spirit clearer than in the rendering industry. Rendering is agriculture’s quiet sustainability hero. It’s the process of transforming the
From Community to Conservation: The Economic Impact of the Rendering Industry
Did you know that the rendering industry currently accounts for roughly $10 billion in annual economic activity across the United States? While we know that rendering helps to promote food waste sustainability, reclaim clean water, and reduce our carbon footprint worldwide, rendering also supports the North American economy in more ways than one. Rendering Creates Jobs The rendering industry proudly creates thousands of jobs throughout urban and rural North America each year. From
Celebrating the Next Generation of Agriculture Leaders: Meet the First NARA Rendering Scholarship Recipient
The North American Renderers Association (NARA) is thrilled to introduce the recipient of its very first Rendering Scholarship: Madelynn Pimm, a senior at Penn State University. Madelynn is majoring in Agribusiness Management and International Agriculture, and she’s already making her mark as a leader in the agricultural community. Her goal? To build stronger connections between producers and consumers while supporting the growth of agriculture for the future. Madelynn’s leadership goes beyond the classroom. She serves
Celebrating NARA Members for National Nonprofit Day
Today is National Nonprofit Day — a holiday created to recognize the vital role that nonprofits, like NARA, play within our communities and society. At heart, nonprofits exist to serve some greater social or public benefit, whether by organizing or funding research, providing important resources, education, or services, spearheading advocacy and awareness, or offering some combination of each. At NARA, our mission centers around representing and defending the best interests of our members and
Building Global Partnerships: NARA Signs MOU with Côte d’Ivoire
The North American Renderers Association (NARA) is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Animal and Fishery Resources (MIRAH), marking a significant step forward in international collaboration. This five-year agreement establishes a formal partnership to support the development of Côte d’Ivoire’s rendering and animal feed industries. Read the press release here Through the MOU, NARA and MIRAH will work together to strengthen trade, promote sustainable practices,
World Nature Conservation Day: What’s Your Impact?
Happy World Nature Conservation Day! Celebrated each year on July 28th, this international holiday serves as an important reminder of the significance of preserving our environment’s natural resources, from the air we breathe to the water we drink. What better way to conserve our environmental resources than by recycling? Rendering: The Original Recycling Did you know that rendering is considered “the original recycling?” For hundreds of years, discarded animal by-products have been
World Food Safety Day
Did you know that June 7th was World Food Safety Day? Not only that but 2025 marks the 7th year that this day has been celebrated globally! The day originated as a way to raise awareness of food safety and promote tangible actions that aim to detect, prevent, and manage foodborne risks. Doing so not only benefits human health, but also leads to safe trade, responsible agriculture, and sustainable development. This year’s theme is
Sustainable Camping: Here's Why Tallow Should Be in Your Summer Cooking Lineup
Summer is officially here, which means outdoor adventures are soon to follow! If camping is on your list, we’re excited to share one simple ingredient that can transform the way you cook—and practice food waste sustainability—outdoors: tallow. Whether you’re headed to the mountains or setting up a cozy lakeside campfire, utilizing tallow is a simple yet impactful way to elevate your outdoor cooking game, all while leveraging sustainable, recycled organics. Here are five reasons
Moo-ve Over for National Beef Month
You may or may not know that the month of May is recognized as national Beef month. Now that the rain has finally let up (at least in some parts of the country) what better time to get outdoors and grill up some all-beef hot dogs, burgers, or a delicious ribeye? That’s a rhetorical question, but I’m sure you already know the answer. Of course, if the weather doesn’t want to cooperate, you can always
Waste Not, Want Not: Rendering Partnerships for Improved Food Waste Sustainability
Food waste disposal accounts for an astonishing one-third of the world’s total food supply. From the meat we don’t eat to billions of pounds of used cooking oil (UCO), reducing waste in the food production, distribution, and service industries is crucial for enhancing food waste sustainability throughout North America. Fortunately, the rendering industry plays a significant role in minimizing waste throughout the food system. By partnering with businesses to collect discarded scraps, fats,
