This fall, I had the opportunity to sit in on several virtual roundtables with many American Feed Industry Association members talking about how they dealt with COVID-19 in their businesses and operations. I was proud to hear every participant start by saying the health and safety of their staff, customers and suppliers was, and remains, their primary focus.
We know it’s been a challenging year, which is why the American Feed Industry Association staff are more thankful for our members than ever. To show our gratitude, several staff members got together and created a fun video.
Over the past few months, I have been reflecting on the growing number of people who are in need of food assistance due to furloughs and layoffs from the coronavirus pandemic. Feeding America estimates that more than 50 million people, including 17 million children, could be food insecure this year due to the downtrodden economy. As a working-from-home mom, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen making sure my children eat balanced, nutritious meals, and cannot imagine the difficult choices facing some parents to keep their families fed during these trying times.
Any pet owner who has watched as their dog or cat snapped at a fly or chased a grasshopper and then happily gobbled up the insect has probably inwardly grimaced as the pet crunched on the critter. Even knowing the insect is a good source of balanced protein can still make it hard to overcome the “ewww” factor of eating mealworms and crickets. In the United States, black soldier fly larvae can be fed to poultry, swine and certain types of fish in their diets and also sold for use as treats or snacks for pets.
We’ve all read the studies that say in order to stay on top of our game, we must make time to reflect, relax and recharge. We must continue to read and learn new things and connect with those who inspire and challenge us. For me, I have made a point of taking time every year to do just that – by participating in the World Food Prize.
As a child, I would frequently get frustrated when the world (or in this case, my parents, teachers or siblings) dictated what I couldn’t do. I had plans! One day, my favorite fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Underwood, suggested that instead of thinking about what I can’t do, that I should think about what I can do. Turns out, there was a lot!
Halloween is one of my all-time favorite holidays. I love everything about it – the candy, costumes, scary stories, haunted houses – you name it. And since making Feed Facts are one of my favorite things to do for my job, I thought I ought to combine them and make some fun Halloween Feed Facts. I hope you enjoy these graphics and if you would like to share them on social media, you can click to download them. Happy Halloween from the American Feed Industry Association!
With only a week left to go, both candidates are desperately vying for your vote. Early estimates show that more than 60 million Americans have already cast their votes, surpassing all 2016 early ballots submitted, and yet still, more people are waiting in socially distant lines to vote in-person early or are expected to turn out on Election Day.
Having a Board as engaged as the Institute for Feed Education and Research trustees are is something that all of us should celebrate. Their time, expertise and commitment to helping IFEEDER address critical issues and conversations that build trust and protect choice are key to ensuring that America continues to find value in the farmers, ranchers and processors who put safe, nutritious food on our tables.
Every year, the American Feed Industry Association has the honor of thanking those who have greatly impacted our industry in a positive way. These outstanding individuals represent the ‘best of the best,’ exhibiting amazing expertise to help the AFIA achieve its goals and objectives, providing outstanding support to the entire feed industry throughout their careers and making significant contributions to animal feed.