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

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Have You Checked Out Our Rendering Podcast?

a woman is smiling in front of a nara logo

Have you checked out NARA’s rendering podcast, The Invisible Industry? Whether you are a member of the Animal Ag or rendering industries, or you are just interested in learning about rendering, how rendering supports sustainability, reduced food waste and the circular economy; we invite you to begin your journey by starting with our newest episode!   In this historic 6th episode of the podcast we discuss National Rendering Day, a new National day that is

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Welcome Dr. Charles Starkey!

Dr. Charles Starkey

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

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

NARA Logo

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

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Dr. Meeker Receives Prestigious Tallow Master Award

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.

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Meet NARA’s New Vice President of International Programs – Dana Johnson Downing

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

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The North American Renderers Association (NARA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate in the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other factor prohibited by law.

As a participant in USDA programs, we share the commitment to comply with all federal, state and local civil rights laws and those of the USDA. More about this commitment is available on the USDA website page here.