The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” ―Ralph Waldo Emerson

This month’s SQFI Newsletter highlights the work and commitment of the people in our industry. And without passionate people, our industry and organizations wouldn’t be what it is today.
INDUSTRY UPDATES & TRENDS
WHAT WE'RE READING
1.) Back-to-school food safety tips begin at the tips of your fingers - via Food Safety News
“ Summer is coming to an end and families across the country are trading in beach balls and roller blades for backpacks and notebooks. But back-to-school time is also followed by cold and flu season.Having the whole family follow some simple healthy behaviors can help them avoid all kinds of illnesses this time of year, including a topic we get lots of questions about: foodborne illness. Proper handwashing is the best thing you can do to stop the spread of germs and avoid getting your little ones sick.
2.) Smithfield Foods Donates 40,000 Pounds of Protein to Utah Food Bank - via CSR Wire
"Today,  Smithfield Foods, Inc.  and  Smith’s Food & Drug , joined forces to donate more than 40,000 pounds of protein to the  Utah Food Bank . Smithfield’s contribution was part of the company’s 2019  Helping Hungry Homes®  donation tour. Helping Hungry Homes® is Smithfield’s signature hunger-relief initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. The donation, equivalent to more than 160,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across the state. [...]" - Read the rest of the story on CSR Wire
3.) New Packaging Technologies That Promote Sustainability and Food Safety - via Food Industry Executive
"From carrying food in from the field, to shipping processed products, to assembling a supermarket display, packaging matters. So, as a follow-up to our exploration of  emerging trends in food packaging , we’re taking a look at several innovative technologies that could change the future of packaging. [...]" - Read the rest of the story on Food Industry Executive
4.) FMI Bestows Public and Regulatory Affairs Award - via Progressive Grocer
" The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has presented the 2019  Donald H. MacManus Award to Tanya Triche Dawood, VP and general counsel for the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA), in recognition of her achievements in public and regulatory affairs. Dawood received the award at  FMI’s State Issues Retreat , an annual event bringing together food retail grocery associations and grocery company professionals from each state to discuss state legislative issues of interest to the food industry.  [...] " - Read the rest of the story on Progressive Grocer
5.) Purdue Leading $10M Effort to Address Global Food Safety - via Hoosier AG Today
" Purdue University is now home to a lab aimed at increasing awareness and developing environments for food safety around the world. The  United States Agency for International Development  (USAID) awarded nearly $10 million to Purdue to establish the first-ever Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Safety (FSIL), with the opportunity for up to $20 million in additional funding from USAID for research tailored to specific countries’ needs. [...] " - Read the rest of the story on Hoosier AG Today
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UPCOMING CLASSES AND TRAINING
LEARN AND LEAD - Fall/Winter 2019
Fundamental Factors for Social Responsibility (F2SR) Auditor Training Course - Dayton, US
August 26 - 27, 2019
Cost:   $200
SQF Professional Update - September 11

Sept 11, 2019 - @ 12:00pm - 4:00pm US-Eastern
Cost:   $150
Auditing SQF Systems - Sydney, Australia
(4 Day)

September 16 - 19, 2019
Cost:   $1300

Auditing SQF Systems - Kingston, Jamaica
(4 Day)

October 14 - 17, 2019
Cost:   $1300
Auditing SQF Quality Systems - Kingston, Jamaica
(1 Day)

October 18, 2019
Cost:   $375

SQF Professional Update - Live Event

Nov 4 2019 @ 8:00am - 5:00pm US-Eastern
Cost:   $200
Auditing SQF Systems - Chicago, US
(4 Day)

December 16 - 19, 2019
Cost:   $1300

2019 SQF Conference in
San Antonio, TX
JW Marriott Hill Country Resort
November 5 - 7, 2019
Cost: Varies
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DATABASE SPOTLIGHT
COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Non-Comformances: A Thing of the Past
Learn how to improve your audit score by automating your document management

As the official technology partner for SQFI, you may already be using ReposiTrak. However, ReposiTrak holds more than just your audit registrations. By participating in ReposiTrak's document sharing and compliance management features you can reduce risk and save money . Your can streamline your audit preparation and experience faster audits , fewer non-conformances , and an overall higher audit score!
SPECIAL WEBINAR:
Better Audit Results with Less Work!
Learn how to get better audit scores, reduce your non-conformances, and take the stress out of audit prep.

Understand how auditors can complete audits faster at your facility, thus saving your company more money
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SQFI POSITIONS
SQFI IS HIRING
We are seeking a Manager, SQFI Sales to work with our Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) .   SQFI is a food safety and quality program designed for the food and consumer goods sector, consisting of a certification program for suppliers and the retail and food service market.  

Snapshot of Position:
  • Responsible for driving the entire sales process with prospective customers as well as expansion within existing categories and accounts within North America
  • Meet weekly, monthly and quarterly sales quotas  
  • Create and maintain positive business relationships to ensure future sales
  • Work with the SQFI cross-functional team (to include the SQFI Marketing and Business Operations teams) as well as other departments within FMI to align sales goals and objectives with customer feedback and needs 
  • Utilize business analysis throughout the sales process to cultivate a targeted list of categories, suppliers, and companies and recognize revenue opportunities that drive sales for SQFI solutions 
  • Prepare and submit weekly/monthly sales reports 
  • Work collaboratively with the marketing team to develop effective sales and marketing materials
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SQF CONFERENCE
2019 SQF AWARDS FINALISTS
The SQFI Quality Achievement Awards Program recognizes the outstanding commitment, support and performance of individuals who contribute to endorsing and improving the SQF Program and mission around the globe.

This is a true reflection of the dedication and hard work our food safety professionals continuously provide to raise the standard in food safety excellence. We saw many talented, committed, and brilliant candidates this year. And without further ado...we'd like to present our 2019 FINALISTS!
2019 SQF PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR AWARD FINALISTS:

Amanda Kehres
Donna Peterson
Wendy Edwards
2019 SQF AUDITOR OF THE YEAR AWARD FINALISTS:

Melissa Ames
Shawna Wagner
Warren Blazy
CONGRATULATIONS TO FINALISTS &
THANK YOU TO ALL NOMINEES
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SQFI SPECIAL UPDATE
EDITION 8.1 ANNOUNCEMENT
Edition 8.1 Implementation: October 1, 2019
You've Spoken & We've Heard!
SQF Edition 8.1 originally expected to be implemented on September 2, 2019 will be postponed until October 1, 2019. 

SQFI made the decision to postpone the implementation until October 1, 2019, to ensure ample testing of all system requirements. We are aware that changes in the system, however small, create some anxiety and confusion. With that in mind, we will continue testing those systems through the month of September to make transition as seamless as possible . 
Audits conducted through September 31, 2019, will utilize the Edition 8.0 template.

Please contact our Customer Service team at  info@sqfi.com or 202-220-0635 if you have any questions or concerns.
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SQFI UPDATE
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT SQFI
Technical, Training, and Compliance Update
  • The SQF Quality Code course offered by the SQF licensed training centers have been updated to edition 8.1. Other implementation tools for edition 8.1 such as the checklists and guidance documents will be completed and posted to sqfi.com by the end of the month.

  • We are in the process of developing the Edition 9 stakeholder survey and will be sent out at the end of the month. Look for this survey and take the time to answer. The survey results will be revealed at the 2019 SQF Conference.

  • SQF Code Clarification: Who has to take the GFSI Auditor Knowledge Exam? The GFSI Auditor Knowledge Exam is required for all new auditors applying to be an SQF Auditor. Existing auditors will be required to successfully complete the exam by the end of 2021. SQF has been approved by GFSI to offer the exam in paper/pencil form however, a certificate issued by any GFSI CPO to the GFSI Auditor Knowledge Exam would be accepted by SQF as would an SQF certificate to the GFSI Auditor Knowledge Exam be accepted by any CPO. SQFI will be holding a sitting for the exam at the SQF Conference. Please visit the pre-conference training on the SQF Conference website (www.sqfconference.com) for more information.
Marketing, Communications, and Sales Update
  • SQFI Sales team has expanded to include a South American regional representative, Palova. Palova will be based out of Brazil and help showcase the importance of having 3rd Party Certification Programs!

  • SQFI Ethical Sourcing Website Updates: SQFI Marketing has been working closely with Canaan, SQFI Ethical Sourcing Manager, on bringing you updated information on SQFI's Ethical Sourcing Programs!

  • We're happy to announce a new line of SQF products! SQFI has now added puffy vests and fleece lined sweaters to keep our stakeholders warm just in time for Fall! We've also added SQF Banners that our Certified Sites can proudly hang or fly at their facilities. Check out the new SQF swag on the SQFI Store (https://sqfinstitute.myshopify.com/).
Business Operations, Database, and Customer Service Update
  • The Database team is currently working with ReposiTrak to streamline the transition from Edition 8.0 to Edition 8.1 in the SQF Assessment Database. We are testing all the changes in the system to ensure that we deliver a complete product with seamless transition for your audit information.

  • SQFI Operations is expecting an increase in audits and therefore in call volume as a result of the release of SQF Edition 8.1, and are therefore working on streamlining our processes in order to properly assist all stakeholders in a timely manner.
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FEATURED RESOURCES
SQFI YOUTUBE CHANNEL
2019 Learning Lunch Webinar: Edition 8.1 Update
June 2019 Learning Lunch Webinar: Proficiency Testing for your SQF Audit
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FEATURED RESOURCES
SQFI STORE
SQF Certified Site Banner
SQF Puffy Vest
SQF Fleece Zip-up
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FEATURED RESOURCES
SQFI AUDITING SCHOLARSHIP
FMI Foundation Scholarship
 The critical issue for accredited third-party auditing in North America is to source the next generation of well-trained auditors. As a way to help fill that gap, the FMI Foundation is sponsoring scholarships to students currently enrolled in food and agricultural science majors who have a true interest in the field of accredited food safety auditing.
Visit the FMI Foundation Scholarship website to access the application and additional details. Applications are now being accepted for the 2019 / 2020 Academic Year!
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CONTACT, SURVEYS & REMINDERS
CONTACT SQFI
SQFI Customer Service
Email - info@sqfi.com
Website - www.sqfi.com

Database Assistance - SQFI
Email - database@sqfi.com

Sales, Marketing and Sponsorship
Email - smalenich@sqfi.com

SQF Compliance /Technical (Code) Questions
Email - compliance@sqfi.com
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SQFI Out and About!

Aug 20 - 22: SuperZoo
Las Vegas, NV

Sep 24 - 26: Expomeat
Sao Paulo, Brazil

Nov 5 - 7: 2019 SQF Conference
San Antonio, TX
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