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Monthly News & Updates
November 2020
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Extension Fact Sheets
New Website
FAPC launched a new website and now has a new web address! Don't forget to add it to your browser's favorites tab or bookmarks bar/menu, so you can access it with just a click. πŸ‘‰ food.okstate.edu
Stephanie Baker
New QM Specialist
FAPC partnered with the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center in Durant, Oklahoma, to hire a quality management specialist to serve the food processing industry in the state.

Stephanie Baker, 2007 OSU food science graduate from Meeker, Oklahoma, will lead and manage quality, food safety and security programs for the Oklahoma food industries, as well as best manufacturing practices for product outputs and employee safe health practices.
Business Spotlight
Ben Jack Larado's products
Ben Jack Larado's

From the very beginning, the Ben Jack Larado's family has remained focused on producing wholesome products for customers across the country. Long hours in the test kitchen led to the development of its pickled asparagus, mustards, mixers and award-winning chili seasoning. The company, located in Noble, Oklahoma, sources and develops bold, fresh flavors for a farm-to-table experience that ensures quality and product safety.

β€œFAPC provides the guidance we need to ensure quality, consistency and safety for our products,” said Pamela Foreman of Ben Jack Larado's. β€œThe courses at FAPC are always current, packed with outstanding curriculum and the best investment for anyone wanting to learn more about agriculture and the food industry. The staff at FAPC genuinely cares about Oklahoma, its people and wants nothing but success for every Oklahoma business. We are grateful for FAPC and the Made in Oklahoma Coalition partnership. Because of their support, we are a Made in Oklahoma business that sells product to 114 wholesalers in 33 states.”
Featured Research
KiZE energy bars
Commercial Product Enhancement of an Energy Bar

KiZE Concepts in Oklahoma City is the industrial partner and manufacturer of energy bars. Tim Bowser, FAPC food process engineer, is designing experiments at KiZE to evaluate product shelf-life, manufacturing process and equipment utilization by testing multiple factors simultaneously using an experimental factorial design. For shelf-life improvement, the study is assessing the impact of ingredients and addition levels. Process design studies are targeting production steps (e.g. premixing and order of operations). New and existing equipment (e.g. mixer) are being evaluated to improve throughput and quality.
Featured Video
Facilities & Equipment for Food Processing
It is estimated about 20,000 new food products are introduced annually. Whether it is product development by well-established food manufacturers or the launch of a small entrepreneurial company, research and development are required before a product goes to market. FAPC has specialized rooms, laboratories and equipment that meet the needs and demands of the food and agricultural industries.
Featured Photo
Baking Bread with Baker's Ann
Renee' Nelson, FAPC milling and baking specialist, has been hard at work in the Baking Lab. She recently baked several loaves of bread with Baker's Ann wheat that was milled in OSU's Wheat Quality Lab. The bread was used to make grilled cheese sandwiches served during a small gathering of the grand opening of the visitor center for OSU's Ferguson Family Dairy Center.
loaves of bread
The Food Files Podcast & Value-Added Voice Blog
Meat Cuts
Meeting the Needs for Meat Processing Opportunities

In this episode of The Food Files, host Darren Scott and Jake Nelson, FAPC meat processing specialist, discuss the increase of meat processing ventures due to the COVID-19 pandemic and what people need to think about when entering the meat processing sector.

"There were some periods of panic buying or hoarding by people, and one of the categories that saw shortage was fresh meat products. As a result of that, some leaders in the state felt it was important and necessary to try to grow the meat processing capacity in Oklahoma."
Website on phone and laptop
Top 10 Tips for Building Effective Websites

On the cusp of launching FAPC's latest website redesign, Mandy Gross, FAPC communications services manager, shares her top 10 list for building effective websites in the latest Value-Added Voice blog post.

"During my 20-year experience in the communications field, I’ve seen a number of changes to the industry. From graphic design to photography to social media, each area has changed over time with new technology, techniques and algorithms. One area that has changed tremendously is the building of effective websites."
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