Articles by Joyce Fassl

A few months ago, our corporate office conducted a survey on Food Engineering subscribers’ likes, dislikes and reading and researching habits.

As many of you who read this column each month are well aware, Food Engineering’s Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference and Expo is held every year in Florida during April.

Over the past few months, we’ve been actively working to provide our readers with a much more  compelling and interactive online experience.

As 2011 comes to a close, I am continuing my research into the life line of the economy and how it affects the food and beverage industry.

Thank you to the food industry members who are making access to nutritional information easier.

Now is the time to begin preparing your entry for FE’s top honor, the 30th Annual Plant of the Year award.

The current economic climate is reshaping the face of our industry like never before, with many of the largest food and beverage companies obtaining more than half of their income from outside their home markets.

The days of management by walking around the plant are long gone, and more collaborative work sessions and wireless tools will be embraced by future manufacturing leadership.

OK,  readers, what’s going on out there? I am very surprised to report four food and beverage quality issues that occurred on consumer purchases I made in the past six weeks.

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.