Sustainability Blog Posts

Tina Caparella Honored with NARA’s 2025 Don Franco Award

Posted on November 18, 2025 (November 18, 2025) by Anna

NARA has named Tina Caparella the recipient of the 2025 Don Franco Distinguished Service Award, the organization’s highest honor recognizing outstanding leadership and long-term contributions to the rendering and meat industries. Read the press release here. Tina’s career in the industry spans decades, beginning with her family’s legacy at Render magazine. The magazine was founded in 1972 by her grandfather, Frank Burnham, as a newsletter for West Coast rendering organizations, eventually becoming a national publication

Moo-ve Over for National Beef Month

Posted on May 28, 2025 (May 28, 2025) by Marcus Wintzer

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

Rendering Education Activities for National Rendering Day

Posted on April 1, 2025 by Anna

With National Rendering Day coming up on April 21st, it’s the perfect time to introduce kids to the fascinating and sustainable world of rendering! One of NARA’s priorities is to strengthen rendering education from 4-H age all the way through college and university programs, so we have developed some fun, interactive activities for schools and learning institutions – but you don’t have to be a professional teacher to help kids understand rendering’s importance! Try one

New Report Highlights U.S. Livestock, Poultry, and Aquaculture Feed Consumption Trends

Posted on February 28, 2025 (March 3, 2025) by Anna

NARA’s research arm, The Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF), in collaboration with The Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), has released a groundbreaking new report detailing U.S. livestock, poultry, and aquaculture feed consumption. View the results here. This study, conducted by Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS), provides key insights into feed ingredient use across major animal species and the role of sustainable, circular ingredients in the industry.

Tallow: A Traditional Fat Making a Sustainable Comeback

Posted on November 21, 2024 (November 27, 2024) by Anna

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement is reviving interest in tallow, a time-honored and nutrient-rich fat derived from beef or sheep. Known for its sustainability and health benefits, tallow offers a natural alternative to industrial seed oils, making it a favorite among health-conscious consumers and environmentally focused advocates. Tallow’s appeal lies in its minimal processing and high nutrient content, including essential fatty acids and vitamins A, D, E, and K. By utilizing by-products from

Taking a Deep Dive Into the World of Aquaculture

Posted on September 29, 2024 (December 5, 2024) by Anna

In the latest episode of NARA’s rendering podcast, The Invisible Industry, we take a deep dive into the world of aquaculture, a topic often discussed in rendering but explored in-depth on the podcast only now for the first time. Host Marcus Wintzer is joined by Dr. George Chamberlain, President of the Center for Responsible Seafood, who shares his extensive knowledge of the aquaculture industry. The discussion starts with the basics of the industry, offering insights

Celebrating National Junk Food Day: From French Fries to Biofuel and Beyond

Posted on July 16, 2024 (August 7, 2024) by Anna

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

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

Senators Advocate for Including Rendering in National Food Waste Strategy

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

In a significant move to address the critical issue of food waste, a bipartisan group of eight Senators has urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to incorporate rendering into the Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics. You can read the full letter they sent here. The Senators Behind the Initiative Led by Senators Roger Marshall, Michael Bennet, and

Gearing Up For National Rendering Day -10 Ways to Celebrate

Posted on March 14, 2024 (August 7, 2024) by Anna

The 2nd annual National Rendering Day will be observed on April 21st. Celebrating this important day each year helps in educating on and acknowledging the vital role of rendering in sustainability and environmental protection and shows appreciation for all those in the rendering industry. Initiated by the North American Renderers Association (NARA) in 2022, this National Day highlights agricultural rendering, a process that has been used for centuries to transforms food waste into valuable resources.

Tag: Sustainability