SEMA_________________________________

SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 620777; Oviedo, FL 32762 Phone: 407-365-5661

$ BEEF CHECKOFF $

The Supreme Court voted 6-3 to uphold the beef checkoff. The checkoff of $1.00 per head is used to market & promote beef advertisements like “Beef, its What’s for Dinner”. Some ranchers and livestock groups claimed the checkoff benefited large beef packers and some retailer.

JOHANNS NAMES ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns appointed a National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. This committee provides scientific advice on public health issues relating to U.S. food safety and wholesomeness. Also, appointed was the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). This committee advises and makes recommendations to the secretary of agriculture about meat and poultry inspection programs. NACMPI will meet June 16th and 17th to discuss the following topics:

• How can FSIS best share information on new technology with small and very small plants?
• What guidance can be provided to industry to ensure that plants hold product when FSIS
  tests product for an adulterant?
• How can risk-based sampling most effectively be conducted in small and very small plant?

FSIS WORKSHOP CANCELLED

In the May SEMA newsletter, we reported that the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) would hold a Food Security Workshop in Savannah, GA., this workshop has been cancelled. FSIS will be holding a webcast in lieu of the workshop. At this time USDA does not have the authority to require establishments to have this plan, but you can bet it will be required in the future.

FSIS will provide the information necessary to develop a plan, so take advantage of this opportunity. If you have additional questions contact Mary Cutshall at 202.690.6520. You may register on the automated Pre-registration line at 1.800.485.4424.

COOL MAY BE DELAYED

The House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the fiscal 2006 USDA money bill that would delay the mandatory country-of-origin labeling for meat, beyond the September 30, 2006 date currently set.

MODERNIZATION OF STANDARDS FOR FOOD IDENTITY

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a joint proposed rule to establish a set of general principles for evaluating whether to revise, eliminate or create new standards of identity for food.

Standards of identity define what a given food product is, its name and the ingredients that must be used or may be used in the manufacture of the food. These food standards prescribe minimum amounts of certain ingredients, maximum fat and water contents and methods of processing cooking and preparation. The food standards are to insure consumers the basic nature of the foods meets their expectations.

HURRICANE SEASON, ARE YOU READY?

June 1st started hurricane season. The Governor’s Hurricane Conference in Tampa emphasized “Be prepared and well-rehearsed”. One of the first things you will want to review is what worked and what did not work for you during last year’s hurricanes. Here are a few things you may consider in getting prepared:

• Update worker’s home addresses, phone and cell numbers.
• Update specifications for your business physical location and for each piece of equipment.
• Chart each of your essential business functions.
• Identify one or more suitable alternative locations for your business.

If a disaster occurs be prepared to:

• Communicate with employees, customers, suppliers and lenders.
• Set up phone, fax and computer at an alternative site.
• Maintain your payroll.
• Maintain your accounts payable and receivable.

You can learn more about business disaster recovery at www.sba.gov/disaster, www.FloridaDisaster.org or www.disaster-resource.com.

Parts of article from Orlando Sentinel CFB 5/23/05

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THINGS TO PONDER

Why is the man who invests your money
called a broker?

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SEMA 2005 CONVENTION “ IMPROVING THE BOTTOM LINE”

TOPICS:
$ COMMUNICATIONS, keynote speaker Mike Hourigan of Hourigan & Associates, will be giving us tips on how to become a successful communicator and bring out the best in people.

$ SAFETY, Odom’s Tennessee Pride has been recognized for their safety program. Drexel McCalvin, safety manager and Jim McConnell, plant manager will tell us about their safety program, how it works and how they got their employees to buy in.

$ LABELING & BRANDING, ProLabels’ President, Perry Bagley will tell us what we need to know before putting a label on a package. Learn the importance of a good logo and how the label will sale your product.

$ CONDENSATION/AIR INFILTRATION does not have to be a problem. Jamison Door’s, VP of Marketing & Sales, Dwight Clark will tell us why.

$ PRODUCT IDEAS & COSTING, Red Arrow’s Cindy Carmack will have us thinking outside the box with new product & cost effective ideas.

$ KEEPING GOOD EMPLOYEES, Leon Mezrah, President of the Mezrah Financial Group will be on hand to give us some incentives that work.

$ INSURANCE, Charles Humphrey of Dennis, Harmon, Bradshaw an insurance agent for the meat and poultry industry, will explain different insurance programs and how to know what you need.

FUN & SUN, Enjoy a round of golf, sun at the Serenata Club on the beach, visit historic St. Augustine and there is plenty of shopping. Friday’s dinner will be at the Golf Hall of Fame, were there is something of interest for everyone. There are films, interactive games and a golf simulator. To continue the support of the SEMA scholarships, Saturday night will be the silent auction and scholarship awards.

THE RENAISSANCE RESORT @ WORLD GOLF VILLAGE
A Marriott Property
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL
JUNE 10-12, 2005

For hotel reservations call 1.888.740.7020
The convention rate is $129.00 single or double, plus a $15.00 resort fee
Resort fee includes: Access to the oceanfront Serenata Beach Club, Unlimited long distance & local phone calls, Unlimited in-room high speed Internet, Daily Newspaper & in-room coffee, 24 hr. use of the health & fitness center, 30 minutes of golf simulator usage

As you can see, the SEMA convention program is a good investment and we look forward to seeing you at the Renaissance Resort. If you have any questions, please call the SEMA office at 407.365.5661

Convention information is available on the SEMA web site

Listed are a few of the exhibitors you will meet at the convention
Come see and learn the latest industry trends and technology

SEMA INDUSTRY NEWS

GLENN PETERSON RETIRING
It is with great honor that Poly-Clip announces the retirement of Glenn-Peterson. Glenn decided to ease into his retirement by acting as a Consultant for Poly-Clip with continuing sales responsibility for your account up until June 30, 2005.

Since Glenn started with Poly-Clip in January of 1996, he helped us bring a wealth of knowledge to Poly-Clip through his vast industry leadership and experience.

Glenn’s long time affiliations with groups such as the Kenosha Achievement Center and Austin Achievement Center where he helped the handicapped find jobs, only demonstrates his selfless commitment to help the less fortunate.

I am sure Glenn’s son and two daughters are very proud of his lifetime achievements. Glenn’s wife, Judie has much to do with his success, as we all know that behind every great man is a great woman.

Join me in wishing Glenn good luck in his retirement and thanks for his many years of dedication to Poly-Clip and his customers.

- Gil Williams VP of Sales & Marketing

Glenn will be at the SEMA convention. Please take the opportunity to stop by the Poly-Clip booth and wish Glenn the best in his retirement and meet your new Poly-Clip salesman.

INOVPAK VECTOR, INC.
Inovpak Vector has changed its name to Vector Packging, Inc. John Thomas is still the sales representative.

ROYALTY FOODS
Buckhead Beef a subsidiary of Sysco Corp. is to acquire Royalty Foods of Orlando. Royalty Foods is a processor and distributor of Certified Angus Beef, along with other center of the plate, frozen and dry foods to foodservice operations in the southeast. The company was founded in 1983 and did $75 million in 2004. Bob Meeks will remain President and Chief Executive Officer of Royalty.

SYSCO
Sysco, Atlanta has named John Foster President of Buckhead Beef, Atlanta. John joined Sysco in 1992 starting, as director of purchasing then later became senior VP of purchasing and sales.

WELCOME NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER

AMERITAS GROUP
4227 Pleasant Hill Road
Suite 200 Building 11
Duluth, GA 30096
Brian Gerris, Group Representative
Phone: 800.852.1915
Fax: 678.417.1745

FRANK DOOR CO.
Manufactures a complete line of doors for freezers, coolers and other controlled environments. The corporate offices and manufacturing facility are located in Newport, NC. Frank Door provides doors for retail and food service, in additions to the warehouse, distribution and food processing facility markets.

Frank Door offers a complete line of doors with a “No Wood” design, using the most updated designs and technology for structural framing, face casings, gasket systems and electronic operators. Frank Door is providing “America’s New Standard in cold doors” to thier customers. Quality and performance are the criteria on which they base their design decisions.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please give us a call.

Southeast Sales Associate
Scott Meacham
413 Howard Blvd.
Newport, NC 28570
252.223.1112

PROLABEL, INC
Founded in 1989, ProLabel, Inc. lies just north of Atlanta, Georgia. Over the years ProLabel has become one of the leaders in the Label Industry. ProLabel Account Executives and Customer service Representatives have extensive knowledge in all types of label applications and requirements. Their full service Graphics Department is capable of reproducing your existing label or designing a new label based on your concept, including all aspects of designs, layout, scanning, tapping and color separation. From their pricing to order turnaround, they guarantee TOTAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.

Contact: Becky Peffer
4840 Hammond Industrial Drive
Cumming, Georgia 30041
770.844.9344

Please take a minute to call and welcome our new members

CALENDAR OF EVENTS