Dietz & Watson was recently awarded the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s “Pink Ribbon” for its unique “Pretty in Pig” fundraising campaign and its unwavering commitment to fighting breast cancer. Each month the foundation honors a community member with this award for their outstanding contributions to the fight.

In partnership with the Komen Foundation, Dietz & Watson – a Philadelphia-based producer of premium deli meats and cheeses– created the “Pretty in Pig” campaign to raise money. This unique campaign placed a six-foot pig at race events, where individuals could “feed the pig” by donating spare change to the cause.

The pig made its debut at the 2009 Philadelphia Race for Cure and within two hours, it raised almost $7,000 for the fight against breast cancer. By the end of 2009, Dietz & Watson’s continued efforts raised more than $50,000.

This Mother’s Day, the “Pretty in Pig” campaign returned to Philadelphia. In addition to the original pig stationed at the race, Dietz & Watson created several other larger-than-life pigs and hundreds of piglets to be placed throughout the community to encourage donations.

Source: Dietz & Watson Inc.

Villa Roma teams with Angels

Villa Roma Sausage Company, a Southern California fresh Italian Sausage manufacturer, announced its partnership with Angels Baseball to bring its new half pound sausages from the stadium to the supermarkets. The Angels recently introduced several of the company’s new sausage products during games at Angel Stadium and sales have exceeded all expectations. Due to this success, the Angels and Villa Roma are making these products available to their fans to enjoy anytime.

The first products to be introduced are the Halo Grillers, a hot Italian sausage, and Rally Brats, a pork bratwurst. The sausages are fresh and natural and contain no preservatives, nitrates or MSG. Villa Roma Sausages are produced locally in Ontario, Calif.

“We are very pleased with the success of our partnership with Villa Roma Sausage Company,” said Angels president Dennis Kuhl. “Our fans enjoyed Villa Roma sausage products during the games at our stadium and, with this new venture into supermarkets, they can continue to do so even during the off-season.”

The new half pound products are expected to be available in supermarkets this month and carried throughout the year. They will also be sold at Costco. At Angels Stadium, they are served with peppers and onions on a bun. It is expected that these products will mainly be consumed in a similar fashion – grilled or cooked indoors, but served on a bun for a unique, novel and filling meal.

“The Angels wanted something special, so together we created the half pounder to satisfy the fans,” said Ed Lopes, president of Villa Roma Sausage Company. “Also, we already sell our standard sausages to the supermarkets in the Southland, so our distribution for these new products is already in place. When talking to some of the supermarket chains, we found that they are excited about these unique products and plan to carry them as soon.”

Source: Villa Roma Sausage Co.

Sadler's BBQ gets seal of approval

Sadler's Smokehouse has earned the official seal of approval from the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) for its brisket products. KCBS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbeque, is the world's largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts with a membership base of more than 13,000 and events that attract more than 10 million fans annually.

"Barbeque is America's cuisine, and with so many products on the market claiming to be authentic, the KCBS seal of approval lets people know that Sadler's is the real deal," said Sadler's Smokehouse Executive VP Marketing Greg Klein. "Making great barbeque is an art, and we are proud and honored to be recognized by the top organization dedicated to promoting and preserving this national cuisine."

Sadler's earned the Seal of Approval through a process that includes Board evaluation of its products based on the judging requirements of appearance, taste and tenderness. Sadler's commitment to best-in-class preparation methods and proprietary pit-smoking processes was critical to the Board to ensure that the KCBS qualities and integrity are upheld during the relationship.

"The Seal of Approval program partners quality companies with the most respected barbeque association in the world and signals to consumers that our partners' products are authentic, delicious and reflect the highest standards for barbecue authenticity," said Carolyn Wells, KCBS Executive Director.

Sadler's Smokehouse brand products are available at grocery, supercenters and club stores nationwide. Beginning in May, Sadler's products will feature the KCBS Seal of Approval logo on all its brisket packaging.

Source: Sadler’s Smokehouse Ltd.

USDA launches mobile Safety Zone

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today launched the USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone, a 40-foot long interactive, hands-on food safety learning experience bringing food safety information to towns and cities throughout the nation. This exciting new educational center on wheels is designed to improve public food safety awareness and behavior. The goal is to prevent foodborne illness by emphasizing the USDA's Be Food Safe messages: Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill.

"From the very beginning, this Administration has made food safety a top priority and today we are launching an exciting new tool to promote safe food handling practices," said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Jerold Mande. "Promoting safe food handling practices is a key component of our effort to reduce foodborne illness."

The USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone was unveiled during Public Service Recognition Week on the National Mall in Washington, DC. After an initial appearance in Washington, the USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone hits the road and will spend nine months a year traveling across the United States to bring adults and children important food safety information. To find out the USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone’s schedule, or to request a visit, please visit FSIS Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/fsdiscoveryzone.

Source: FSIS

Safety conference to address OSHA regulation changes

The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute’s ’s 2010 Safety Conference (Rosemont, Ill.; July 13–15) will present attorney Tim Boe and “How to Answer When OSHA Comes Knocking — The Importance of Company-wide Safety Practices.” While complying with U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) rules has always been important, changes announced last month are making it more important than ever, the association states.

“OSHA is setting out stricter rules and stiffer penalties,” says Maria Ferrante, vice president, education & workforce development, PMMI. “The 2010 Safety Conference will address the changes and focus on safety practices manufacturers should have in place to protect their businesses as well as their workforces.”

Boe is with the prestigious Rose Law Firm (Little Rock, Ark), and has been included in “Best Lawyers in America,” a peer-reviewed legal directory since 1983. His practice area is management labor and employment law.

“Tim Boe is an expert in representing companies in front of OSHA. If anyone can help you start down the right path to protecting your organization, it’s him,” Ferrante says.

Food safety, which the Obama Administration has pushed into the limelight, gets top billing in the program as well. Speakers include Dr. David Acheson — formerly the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s assistant commissioner for food protection. Acheson, now with consulting group Leavitt Partners, will cover regulations and best practices for food safety.

“Food borne illnesses and product recalls have been making headlines lately. As one-time leader in the FDA, Dr. David Acheson brings a unique perspective to discussions on the current regulatory environment. He will provide an update on food safety issues, including decisions coming from the administration’s Food Safety Working Group, that are impacting food manufacturers as well as equipment suppliers,” Ferrante says.

The conference will also present ConAgra Foods Inc. Director of Food Safety, Hygienic Design & Sanitation Randy Porter speaking on hygienic design, and Gary Fleming, president, Symbolon Group LLC, on traceability.

On the global side of the equation, the conference addresses critical global standards and regulations. Fred Hayes, PMMI director of technical services, covers the new EU machinery directive and the balance between packaging equipment and environmental concerns; he also will discuss changes to corrugated manufacturing and ISO and ANSI rules. Chuck Janki, of EU Compliance Services, talks about the EMC directive and best practices for achieving it.

“Bruce Main and Kevin Owens will discuss the role of risk assessment in recent cases, and will present a session dedicated to improving the defensibility of your legacy equipment,” Ferrante adds.

Registration for the 2010 Safety Conference is online at PMMI.org. Register by Tuesday, June 22, to save $100.

Source: PMMI