The 2022 National Onion Association Summer Convention is being held July 6-9 at The Grove Hotel in Boise, ID, and both NOA members and nonmembers are invited to register.
Speakers for the event include Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), who will discuss ongoing issues in Washington D.C, including immigration reform. Also speaking will be Bruce Summers, administrator with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, who will address the National Potato and Onion Report. In his presentation Summers will explain how AMS gathers information for the report and how farmer and onion industry representatives can use the document. He is also asking for input on how to make the report better.
According to an NOA press release dated May 31, “A key focus of the meeting will be to discuss the Dry Bulb Onion Industry’s Food Safety Guidelines, which have been undergoing an update in the last several months. Key facilitators with the International Fresh Produce Association and growers in the U.S. onion industry have been working for months to ensure this document is up-to-date and consistent to ensure that growing, storage, and transportation practices are being done with food safety in mind.”
The release said Gretchen Wall, director of the Food Safety & Quality for the IFPA, will present the final draft document for discussion among those in attendance. “This is a final opportunity to ensure the document considers all industry practices and adhere to proper food safety guidelines before it is finalized and distributed. The Food and Drug Administration also will be in attendance at the meeting,” the NOA advised.
The meeting will also include industry area tours of the Malheur County Experiment Station, Owyhee Produce, Top Air, Inc., and Nunhems BASF. Good walking shoes to attend the tours are advised.
Following the tours, the NOA will conduct its annual summer auction. Those in attendance can bid on some great items, including an onion rod lifter, a Traeger Grill package, and other great items.
The release added, “All are welcome to attend this event. NOA members should register via the Member Center at onions-usa.org. You will find a link to the hotel registration as well as an agenda. Your user name is your email address. If you haven’t set up your password yet, you’ll have to choose ‘forgot password’ to set it up. Non-members should call Courtney at the NOA offices, (970) 353-5895 to get registered and pay the registration fee.”
The NOA reminds all to register today! The deadline to register is June 15, after which the price increases.
