FOOD FOR THOUGHT from CIFST

Food for Thought is a monthly, members-only e-newsletter from the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST).

PRESIDENTIAL FODDER

Spring has sprung ... finally!

I think we can all agree it was a long, cold winter. However, with the end of March in sight and April just around the corner, hopefully we now find ourselves out of the proverbial winter woods and on our way to some sunny, warm days ahead.

Here at CIFST, the spring season is always a busy one. This year, as I prepare to step own as the Institute's president at our upcoming AGM, it seems to have been even moreso.

Over the last couple of months, we have launched the pilot of our web-based national MENTORSHIP PROGRAM and begun a year-long series of webinars offered up free to members. Incidentally, the second of these webinars takes place next week with my fellow board member (and soon-to-be-President) Rob Kowal making a presentation entitled Market Insights & Global Food Trends . If you haven't had a chance to register yet, be sure to do so via the links in the below or on the EVENTS section of our website.

At the same time, we've also been very hard at work putting together the program for the 2019 Canadian Food Summit , our annual national conference which will be taking place May 22 to 24 in Halifax, Nova Scotia .

Recently, some details about our technical sessions have been made available on the CIFST WEBSITE and this year's program is looking extremely strong. We've also made announcements on keynote presentations by some prolific SUMMIT SPEAKERS like Sylvain Charlebois , Tareq Hadhad and Stuart Smyth . Add this to the many poster board abstracts that will be on display, our table top exhibition and the myriad of opportunities to network with your food and beverage industry peers, and there are a lot of good reasons to consider a visit to Canada's beautiful east coast this May.

I should mention there are still opportunities to SPONSOR this year's event or take part as an EXHIBITOR . Again, all the information you need is on our website or can be linked to in the Canadian Food Summit section just below.

It remains a pleasure to serve as your president and I'm looking forward to seeing what's in store for CIFST for the balance of 2019 ... hopefully through much nicer weather.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Nickerson

CIFST President

CANADIAN FOOD SUMMIT 2019

New speakers announced; technical program details unveiled

New details have been recently announced about the 2019 Canadian Food Summit . The annual national conference of CIFST takes place May 22 to 24 in Halifax, NS .

Three high-profile speakers have been confirmed to deliver talks at the event including noted food industry influencer and Dalhousie University professor Sylvain Charlebois and Stuart Smyth , the Agri-Food Innovation Research Chair at the University of Saskatchewan. Also recently confirmed to speak is noted founder of Peace by Chocolate , Fareq Hadhad .

The theme of this year's event is Sustainable Innovation and programming sessions will be offered on a variety of topics including emerging ingredients , nutrition and health , food processing , consumer attitudes , food safety , sustainable food systems and trends in food sustainability . The 2019 Canadian Food Summit schedule including presenters can be found on the CIFST website HERE . More details will be added as its available.

CIFST member and non-member EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION fees for the Canadian Food Summit are available for a limited time. Meanwhile, further information on SPONSORSHIP opportunities and the tabletop EXHIBITION are also available online.

BITS & BITES

Seeking expressions of interest to sit on CIFST Board of Directors

Have you ever thought about getting more involved with the CIFST? Now is your chance!

The Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology is currently accepting expressions of interest from those interested in serving on the 2019-2020 Board of Directors . As per the CIFST bylaws, only members in good standing are eligible to put their names forward.

The deadline to submit is Thursday, April 4 . For more information, please contact the CIFST National office. To apply, download the required form by CLICKING HERE .

Ontario Section announces 2019 scholarship funding recipients

The Ontario Section of CIFST has announced the academic institutions qualifying for their 2019 Scholarship Funding Program . Ontario Section Scholarships are awarded in the amount of $5,000 and are based on a one-year commitment.

Congratulations to the following institutions for qualifying for funding this year:

Conestoga College

Ryerson University

The Department of Food Science, University of Guelph

The scholarship fund is part of the work the Ontario Section of CIFST does to support the next generation of professionals in the food and beverage industry.

Deadline to nominate for CIFST Awards is set for April 18

The CIFST Awards Program recognizes significant contributions by dedicated food and beverage sector professionals working across Canada. Handed out annually, recipients this year will be announced and recognized during the 2019 Canadian Food Summit, May 22 to 24 in Halifax, NS.

Details of the CIFST Awards Program and each of the individual awards — including descriptions, award-specific criteria, nomination procedures and the recipient selection process — are available on the CIFST AWARDS PROGRAM page on the website.

Annual General Meeting of members scheduled for May 23

As it did last year, the Annual General Meeting of CIFST members will take place in conjunction with the Institute's annual national conference. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 23 at 2:00pm at the Westin Nova Scotian during the 2019 Canadian Food Summit in Halifax, NS.

The agenda of the 2019 AGM will include the following items of business:

Approval of the minutes of the 2018 AGM (DOWNLOAD)
Presidential report
Review of financial statements and auditor's report
Presentation of the 2019-2020 slate of directors

If you are unable to attend the 2019 CIFST AGM in person, you are entitled to name a proxy as your representative. Proxy forms in both English and French can be downloaded HERE . Please note completed forms should be forwarded to the CIFST National office prior to 12 noon EST on Friday, May 17, 2019 or brought to the AGM by your proxy.