Whole Grain Initiative: Forming a Global Organization with the Goal of Increasing Whole Grain Consumption
In November 2017, more than 200 experts met in Vienna for the 6th International Whole Grain Summit. A key outcome of this summit was the “Whole Grain Declaration,” a set of goals and action items that must be addressed to help increase global whole grain consumption. The conference participants formed the Whole Grain Initiative, which consists of international working groups with four key goals:
- Develop and reach global consensus on definitions of whole grain ingredients and whole grain foods
- Reach consensus on recommended whole grain intake based on health-related markers and health economic outcomes
- Understand the contributions of whole grains to a healthy, sustainable diet and planet
- Increase whole grain consumption through global partnerships that communicate evidence-based information on the benefits of whole grains.
Along with other associations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and individuals, the AACCI — Cereals & Grains Association is actively participating in formalizing the Whole Grain Initiative structure, timelines, and process for communication of progress and outcomes to ensure accountability and transparency. There are opportunities for involvement by members, either as part of an AACCI — Cereals & Grains Association task force or through direct involvement with their company or on an individual basis. The Whole Grain Initiative content will be available online at Wholegraininitiative.org. Look for future updates on progress and for a Whole Grain Initiative session at the Cereals & Grains 19 Meeting in Denver.
Laura Hansen, Chair of the AACCI — Cereals & Grains Association Board of Directors
Elizabeth Arndt, Chair of the AACCI — Cereals & Grains Association Whole Grain Definitions Taskforce
Congratulations to the Incoming President-Elect and Director
AACCI — Cereals & Grains Association members cast their ballots and will welcome incoming President-Elect Marta S. Izydorczyk and incoming Director Larisa Cato to the board. Marta and Larisa will join the AACCI — Cereals & Grains Association Board of Directors after the Cereals & Grains 19 Meeting in Denver.
Marta’s Views. It is a great honor and privilege to be nominated to serve as AACCI — Cereals & Grains Association president-elect, a premier worldwide organization for the advancement of grain science. AACCI has always supported its members through services, publications, and meetings and served the global community with trustworthy and scientifically verified information on grains and grain-based products. With rapid changes in science, technology, environment, and the global economy, the association needs to continuously develop and adapt in order to address the changing needs of its members. I feel, therefore, that it is not only a great privilege but also a great responsibility to participate in building the strength and shaping the future of this organization.
In my view, it is of utmost importance that we expand and promote scientific excellence and technological expertise within the organization and continue to disseminate high-quality information in an effective and useful manner. AACCI can play a key role in fostering international research collaboration, not only across geographies, but also across disciplines. Facilitating contact among academic and industrial members from various parts of the world, reaching out to other scientific and technological societies, and linking with other disciplines, such as biomedical, environmental, and material sciences, will deepen and expand the scientific dimensions of the AACCI community. Our association must spare no effort to attract burgeoning scientists, students, and technologists by supporting and nurturing their career development and encouraging them to undertake in-depth, cutting-edge, highest quality research. We can do this in a variety of ways, including by offering special workshops, apprenticeships, visiting stipends, acknowledgments, and announcements of achievements, tribute lectures, and similar initiatives.
AACCI must remain attentive to the regional differences and varied needs of its members. Through focus groups, forums, and discussions, AACCI may provide opportunities for adapting internationally available knowledge to local conditions and specific requirements and accepting novel technologies, as well as play a role in harmonizing definitions, regulations, and legislation.
With the knowledge, expertise, and scientific wisdom of its community at its disposal, AACCI is in an excellent position to assume a leadership role in formulating credible and reliable statements on emerging and sensitive issues relating to the safety, health benefits, processing, and quality of cereal-based products. Providing such trustworthy, scientifically verified information to its members, health professionals, the public, and policy makers is especially important in the modern era of overabundant news.
Larisa’s Views. It is an honor and a privilege to be nominated to serve the organization as a director on the 2019 AACCI — Cereals & Grains Association Board of Directors. I fully respect the past accomplishments of AACCI and look forward to contributing to the even greater future of the rebranded Cereals & Grains Association, making it a truly global leader for cereal grain science, innovation, research, collaboration, and technical/training education worldwide.
I will stimulate partnerships with other scientific organizations, advocating for science as fundamental for well-being and core to the mission of the organization.
In my role as a director I will strive to
- Provide scientific leadership to AACCI
- Work with other relevant organizations to coordinate scientific and technical/training programs
- Support the development of young and new AACCI members
I look forward to continuing to support AACCI in its growth and evolution, as the association has helped me over the last 15 years.
Obituary
Morton Irvin Sosland
Morton Irvin Sosland, leader of Sosland Publishing Co. and active member of the Kansas City and grain-based foods business communities, has died at the age of 93. Morton began his freshman year at Harvard in 1942 and in 1943 enlisted in the U.S. Army. He returned to Harvard after the war, and in 1946 married Estelle Jane Glatt. He joined Sosland Publishing Company in 1947, where he worked under the direction of his uncle Samuel Sosland. Active as a publisher and editor for most of his 72 years with the company, he also created and wrote much of the editorial page content for several of the company magazines.
He also divided his time among different endeavors, serving on the boards of leading public and private companies. He maintained a commitment to civic improvement and worked with several organizations, such as the Midwest Research Institute and the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.
Morton is survived by his wife of 72 years; three children: Amy Brown (West Sussex, England), Elizabeth J. Sosland (New York), and Charles S. Sosland (Jeanne) (Kansas City); grandchildren Andrew Brown (Kate), Meyer Sosland (Mindy), Sarah Sosland (Benton Smith), and Sophie Sosland (Ryan Reich); six great-grandchildren; brother Neil Sosland (Blanche); and sister Susan Kraner (Richard).
People
HarvestPlus has announced that Arun Baral will be the global program’s next CEO, leading its work to address the serious nutrition and health impacts of micronutrient deficiencies in low- and middle-income countries by improving agriculture and food systems. Baral, currently CFO at HarvestPlus, will become CEO on July 1, 2019, succeeding HarvestPlus founder Howarth “Howdy” Bouis, who is retiring. Prior to joining HarvestPlus, Baral spent more than 30 years in the international agriculture and food sectors.
Corporate Members
Thank you to all our corporate members, who contribute their knowledge, expertise, and professional involvement to ensure the continued strength of the association and to promote excellence in cereal grain science worldwide. We appreciate their support and encourage you to contact them directly for detailed information on their products. Visit the AACCI — Cereals & Grains Association Corporate Member web page for comprehensive company and contact information.
New Members
Acquaah, S. G., University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, U.S.A.
Allan, M. C., postdoctoral researcher, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN, U.S.A.
Althawab, S., Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, U.S.A.
Atkins, Z. S., Madison, WI, U.S.A.
Bedard, B. G., GMA Science and Education Foundation, Arlington, VA, U.S.A.
Bharathi, R., University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, India
Buck, N., General Mills Inc., Nyon, Switzerland
Burke, M., research and quality lab technician, Ardent Mills, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Chan, E., Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Chen, G., research scientist, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, U.S.A.
Del Rosario Rivera, J., Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, U.S.A.
Duke, K. M., Texas A&M University, Lucas, TX, U.S.A.
Ek, P., graduate student, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, U.S.A.
Friedman, L. B., University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, U.S.A.
Garcia, H., Procoharinas S.A., Bogota D.C., Colombia, Colombia
Gombas, K., Food Safety Consulting, Pebble Beach, CA, U.S.A.
Gomez, B. F., Montevideo, Uruguay
Harada, Y., Kanagawa, Atsugi, Japan
Held, S., Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.
Jannasch, A., graduate student, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, U.S.A.
Jaradat, A., USDA-ARS, Morris, MN, U.S.A.
Jeffers, J. L., managing owner, Springbok Quality Consultants, Flower Mound, TX, U.S.A.
Kropiwka, N. S., student, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, U.S.A.
Li, H., CNAFS, The University of Queensland, Australia, Brisbane, Australia
Lutmer, D., business development, Budenheim USA, Inc., Columbus, OH, U.S.A.
Magni, B., Turin, TO, Italy
Mense, A. L., Indigo Ag, Inc., Boston, MA, U.S.A.
Mitchell, J. R., Madison, WI, U.S.A.
Nowakowski, K. J., University of Wisconsin-Madison, Prairie Grove, IL, U.S.A.
Oppong Siaw, M., graduate student, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, U.S.A.
Ping, T. W., QA manager, Kuala Langat, Selangor, Malaysia
Riehle, N., Trempealeau, WI, U.S.A.
Rolon, S., compliance manager, Pan American Grain, Arecibo, PR, U.S.A.
Schückel, J., GlycoSpot, Copenhagen-Soborg, Denmark
Sui, Z., professor, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
Vasan, A., GMA Science and Education Foundation, Washington, DC, U.S.A.
Vithana Pathirannehelage, N. P., University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
Wicks, C., Madison, WI, U.S.A.
Wilson, T. L., Kansas State University, Council Grove, KS, U.S.A.
Yaputri, B. P., undergraduate researcher, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, Indonesia
Yee, J., graduate student, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
Zhou, Y., Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.
Advertisers’ Index
Volume 64, Number 3
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