Sustainability

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As I’m writing this month’s Editor’s Note, I’m working in my office after just reviewing the evaluation forms from the Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference and Expo (FA&M) held in early April.

Commodity prices and a credit crunch sidelined the first wave of biofuel plants, but process inefficiencies also played a role. The next generation of ethanol producers won’t make the same mistake.

As we have sadly learned, no one nation, person or business is immune from the wrath of Mother Nature.

Some additional upfront cost already is paying dividends to this manufacturing organization, with the biggest returns yet to come.

For food and beverage companies focused on water recycling and landfill reduction, the effort yields solid financial returns.

Even though most sectors of the food and beverage manufacturing industry fared well during the recent economic meltdown, food makers continue to be challenged by an evolving, complex and sometimes strange marketplace.

There’s a lot more to new lighting advancements than just saving money.

The retailing giant plans to reduce sodium, sugar and trans fat in the products it sells by 2015 and produce a simple front-of-product label to deliver the message to consumers.

Despite improvements in technology, poultry processors are taking it on the chin with environmental issues and the rising costs of water and energy.

True innovation is within your reach. One of the best ways to achieve it is by networking with food industry colleagues in an educational atmosphere.