NARA Archives - North American Renderers Association

The First National Rendering Day

Posted on April 25, 2023 (October 26, 2023) by Anna

Friday, April 21st was the inaugural National Rendering Day. NARA issued a press release that included the official National Day Calendar issued proclamation announcing National Rendering Day to media and the public. One of NARA’s goals is educating the public and our communities on the highly sustainable nature of rendering. By observing National Rendering Day every April 21st, we hope to bring to awareness to rendering’s many environmental benefits and how rendering plays a really critical in role reducing and eliminating food

NARA Urges Congress to Move Forward With SHIP IT Act

Posted on March 30, 2023 (August 7, 2024) by Anna

On March 10th NARA issued a press release announcing that the association had joined other members of the Agricultural Transportation Working Group in signing a letter of support for the Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking Act (SHIP IT). Read the press release. The letter urges Congress to take action to improve supply chain function to support truck transportation. Trucking freight is a cornerstone of the transportation industry with most forms of cargo

NARA Announces Vice President of Communications

Posted on February 17, 2023 (August 7, 2024) by Anna

Anna Wilkinson - NARA's Director of Communications smiling for a photo

NARA is pleased to announce that Anna Wilkinson has been named the association’s Vice President of Communications. Wilkinson will also serve as Vice President of Communications for the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF), the rendering industry’s research organization. Read the full press release here. For the past four years Wilkinson has been the Director of Communications for NARA and FPRF where she has managed all internal and public NARA communications, public relations, and marketing

Water Treatment & Utility Costs – Liquid Gold in Your Water Plan

Posted on January 30, 2023 (March 22, 2023) by Anna

This article contains sponsored content. Guest Post By NARA Member, Eric Schnakenberg, Area Manager at Chem Aqua Midwest There may be gold in your water pipes. Water management, done correctly, can manifest many dollars for rendering facilities both from saved utility costs and marketing opportunities from water savings achieved. There is no secret that energy costs are soaring. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to review your water treatment program.

Welcome Dr. Charles Starkey!

Posted on December 22, 2022 (August 7, 2024) by Anna

As many in the rendering industry know, after more than 18 years at NARA and a lifetime in the animal agriculture industry, Dr. David Meeker has retired from his position as The Fats and Proteins Foundation (FPRF) Research Director, and NARA’s Senior Vice President of Scientific Services. Read the press release announcing Dr. Meeker’s retirement. NARA thanks Dr. Meeker for his time and dedication to the rendering industry, and though the farewell was bittersweet, NARA

2022 Don Franco Distinguished Service Award Winner

Posted on November 28, 2022 (April 25, 2023) by Anna

Dr. David Meeker Receives the 2022 Don Franco Distinguished Service Award

NARA is pleased to announce the 2022 “Don Franco Distinguished Service Award” has been presented to Dr. David Meeker 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

60 Years of FPRF

Posted on October 19, 2022 (October 31, 2024) by Anna

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF), the rendering industry’s research organization. The Fats and Proteins Research Foundation was originally hatched from a committee within the NARA (formerly the National Renderers Association), but it quickly became evident that a full time research foundation was necessary to represent the research needs of the rendering industry. So, 60 years ago, FRPF was established as a full-time effort devoted to research,

NARA Talks Sustainability at USDA’s Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair

Posted on September 30, 2022 (March 22, 2023) by Anna

Earlier this month, on September 14th, NARA’s Director of Communications, Anna Wilkinson joined other esteemed speakers from the agriculture, reduced food waste and sustainability industries for USDA’s 2nd Annual Virtual Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair. In her presentation titled “Rendering: The Unsung Hero of Sustainability,” she detailed why the often-overlooked rendering industry is actually a major player in the reduction of food waste. She discussed rendering’s important role in not only food waste reduction

NARA Staff Visits Two Member Rendering Plants

Posted on August 23, 2022 (March 22, 2023) by Anna

Guest Post By NARA Staff Member, Heather Davis During a recent personal vacation NARA’s Coordinator of Member Relations, Heather Davis, took a detour to visit two nearby NARA member rendering plants; G.A. Wintzer & Son Co, and The Dupps Company headquarters and equipment manufacturing hub. Heather was later joined by NARA’s Senior Vice President of Scientific Services, Dr. David Meeker. We asked Heather to share her experience at both plant tours in a

NARA President Testifies on Rendering Sustainability Benefits at House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis

Posted on July 29, 2022 (March 22, 2023) by Anna

On July 15th, President, and CEO of the North American Renderers Association (NARA), Kent Swisher, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis on the sustainability benefits of rendering. Swisher was one of four witnesses testifying and the sole representative of the agriculture sector. He was joined by Dana Gunders, Executive Director, ReFED, Dr. Melinda Cep, Vice President for Natural Solutions and Working Lands, National Audubon Society, and Elly Brown,

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