animal agriculture Archives - North American Renderers Association

NARA’s 2024 Congressional Fly-In: Advocating for the Rendering Industry

Posted on June 20, 2024 (August 7, 2024) by Anna

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

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

Posted on April 15, 2024 (December 5, 2024) by Anna

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

2024 International Rendering Symposium

Posted on February 21, 2024 (August 7, 2024) by Anna

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,

The First National Rendering Day

Posted on April 25, 2023 (March 12, 2025) 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

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

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,

Rendering’s Sustainability Story Gets a Boost: Feature Article Published in 3 International Agriculture and Animal Nutrition Magazines

Posted on June 30, 2022 (March 12, 2025) by Anna

International Petfood Magazine June 2022

Rendering education continues to be a top priority at NARA. The more awareness there is about what rendering is and what we do, the more renderers and NARA members can showcase rendering’s important contributions to reduced food waste and sustainability as a whole. Agricultural rendering is an industry that has largely “flown under the radar” for many years, but we are now proudly sharing our sustainability story. Rendering is by definition sustainable as we are

Happy Hamburger Month!

Posted on May 26, 2022 (December 20, 2022) by Anna

According to who you ask, May is the National month of various beef products with Wikipedia listing 3 National days dedicated to the meat within the month including National Italian Beef Day, National Brisket Day and National Burger day (on May 27, 28 and 29th respectively), and many celebrate the entire month of May in honor of hamburgers. The hamburger: though a category all its own, it is arguably America’s favorite “sandwich” and certainly

Dr. Meeker Receives Prestigious Tallow Master Award

Posted on March 30, 2022 (December 20, 2022) by Anna

two men in suits are shaking hands in a room

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.

Tag: animal agriculture