NARA Blog
Podcast: Biofuels & Renewable Diesel
In the 3rd episode of NARA’s quarterly podcast, The Invisible Industry, host Marcus Wintzer welcomes guest, Michael Rath, of Darling Ingredients, and episode co-host, Michael Karman, of Sanimax, to discuss biofuels & renewable diesel and rendering’s important role in these industries. We take a deep dive into the science behind these fuels, their benefits, why and how government involvement plays a role, and answer questions like “what exactly are biofuels” and “what is the difference
Dr. Meeker Receives Prestigious Tallow Master Award
NARA and FPRF’s Senior Vice President of Scientific Services, Dr. David Meeker, has been presented with the prestigious Tallow Master Award in appreciation of his distinguished service and outstanding contributions to the American rendering industry. The award was presented at the Pacific Coast Renderers Association annual meeting in Laguna Niguel, California, earlier this month. In his acceptance of the award, Meeker said, “Working for renderers has been the best job of my career.
Pairing Service Dogs With Those in Need
As our regular blog readers know, NARA recently launched a quarterly podcast, The Invisible Industry, where we discuss and educate on all things rendering. In our newest episode, aired on January 22, we interview staff from Canine Companions to talk about the great work they do to pair service dogs with those in need, and discuss NARA’s longtime partnership with the non-profit organization. For this important conversation, host Marcus Wintzer, and episode co-host, Richard Weeks,
Meet NARA’s New Vice President of International Programs - 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
2021 Don Franco Distinguished Service Award Winner
NARA is pleased to announce the 2021 “Don Franco Distinguished Service Award” has been presented to Kevin Custer for his leadership and longtime commitment to the rendering industry, NARA, and to the association’s research and related programs. The Don Franco Distinguished Service Award is NARA’s highest honor. It recognizes truly outstanding work on behalf of the rendering industry in science, policy, marketing, or communications and is presented to a member, staff, or friend of the
We Have a New Podcast: The Invisible Industry
NARA is excited to announce that we recently launched a new rendering podcast, The Invisible Industry: Everything You Didn’t Know (You Didn’t Know) About Rendering. Our panel style podcast airs quarterly episodes that discuss and educate on agricultural rendering, the rendering industry, and the sustainability benefits of rendering. Each episode features a new co-host from the rendering or related industry and unique guests who discuss a wide range of topics of interest to those in
2021 Bisplinghoff Research Innovation Award Winner
NARA’s sister research foundation, The Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF), is pleased to announce that the 2021 “Bisplinghoff Research Innovation Award” has been presented to Merlin D. Lindemann, Ph.D, PAS, for his many years of research on the use of rendered products in swine nutrition. Dr. Lindemann is a professor of Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Kentucky. His work has been instrumental in establishing the value of rendered products in pig
Meet NARA’s New Incoming President and CEO: Kent Swisher
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
3 Cheers for Doggos! Celebrating National Dog Day 2021
National Dog Day is observed every year on August 26th, and if you are a pet parent to a pooch, we know you appreciate your furry friend 365 days of the year! But we like to recognize National Dog Day to remind you that the pet food you feed your fur babies is safe, healthy, and sustainable thanks to rendering. Rendered protein meals, derived from the rendering process, are a vital ingredient in safe pet
From Fries to Fuel
July 13th is National French Fry day, and that makes us hungry…but it also makes us think of renewable fuels. Why you ask? Well, the used cooking oil (UCO) that these popular (and all too crave-able) morsels are fried in is actually vital to the renewable fuel and biomass-based diesel industries. Renderers pick up UCO from restaurants and much of it (along with rendered animal fat) is used to produce sustainable biomass-based diesel – namely
