Date: 7 March 2008
Press release: New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology
Conference to Focus on Food Sustainability
Singularly the most important issue affecting the Food and Beverage industry this century is food sustainability, and
the NZIFST 2008 Conference (24 to 26 June) will be focusing on this issue.
‘Food sustainability is an internationally consumer driven trend, and our Conference aims to show how food
sustainability, as a policy and best practice, is vital for food exporters to remain competitive,’ explains Conference
Chairman, David Powell.
Keynote speakers will cover a range of diverse topics including: trade (Caroline Saunders); seafood industry (Gillian
Wratt); policy (Nelson Gapare); corporate responsibility (Nick Goddard); meat industry (Randy Huffam); and the dairy
industry (Barry Harris).
There will also be concurrent sessions where sector and interest groups can explore and discuss issues that directly
affect and are relevant to them. These sessions will be chaired by recognised leaders in their field including: David
Powell – Economics, Tuan Tuong – Dairy, Janis Swan – Energy efficiency, Spring Humphreys – Packaging, Barbara Thompson –
Food safety, Sustainable Business Network, Rob Archibold -Meat industry, Phillip Gregan -Wine industry, Anne Perera
–Organics, Ken Morison – Food processing, John Lawson –Personnel, Jane Adams - Fruit and vegetables, Gary Smith -
Potential for marketing, and Tim Cooper –New product development.
The concurrent sessions are a great opportunity for networking and hearing about latest developments and best practice
within key sector groups. Also delegates are encouraged to attend sessions outside of their respective industries
thereby gaining as wide a perspective as possible on the food industry, which ultimately must be good for their careers.
If you work in the food industry then you should be concerned about food sustainability, and to find out more make sure
you attend the NZIFST 2008 Conference in Rotorua. See you there!
For further information contact David Powell - powellim[at]xtra.co.nz or visit www.nzifst.org.nz
ENDS