KANSAS CITY — The changing market environment for organic commodity ingredients and policy prospects in the Trump administration will be among topics to be addressed at the 40th annual Purchasing Seminar sponsored by Sosland Publishing Co.
The seminar will be held June 4-6 at the Sheraton hotel Kansas City at Crown Center.
Addressing the organic market will be Kellee James, the founder and CEO of Mercaris, a company that focuses on market information about organic and non-GMO wheat, corn, soybeans and soybean meal across the United States and Canada.
Other presenters this year include Kara Nielsen, manager of sales and engagement USA, Innova Market Insights, who will address “food trends,” and Robbin S. Johnson, a fellow with the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and formerly a longtime executive in the public affairs department of Cargill. Johnson will look at the first few months of the Trump administration and prospects for the years ahead.
“While still representing a small percentage of food production overall, the organic market is growing steadily and appears poised for continued expansion,” said Joshua Sosland, president of Sosland Publishing Co. “Purchasing executives are seeking greater market transparency as well as supply certainty, both of which have been elusive in recent years.
“More generally, the food business is changing rapidly in ways profoundly affecting the roles and responsibilities of purchasing executives. With additional presentations this year on organic ingredients, changing food trends and policy prospects, the seminar program will help ingredient buyers stay ahead of the curve when it comes to some of the most important food industry dynamics of 2017.”
Other confirmed topics and speakers at the 2017 seminar include global grains and US wheat and wheat by class, Bill Lapp, Advanced Economic Solutions; feed grains and millfeed, Ankush Bhandari, The Gavilon Group LLC; world weather and the impact on markets, Jon Davis, Meteorology Team Lead, Riskpulse; sugar/sweeteners, Craig Ruffolo, McKeany-Flavell Co.; edible oils and shortening, Matt Beeson, Beeson & Associates; the economy, Vincent Deluard, INTL FCStone Inc.; and energy markets, Tim Statts, Schneider Electric.
Presentations on grains and shortening each will be followed by a panel discussion.
James’ presentation will be part of a group of breakout sessions June 5. Additional breakout sessions will be offered on the subjects of dairy, spices, nuts, proteins, risk management, eggs, cocoa and fruit.
The seminar will kick off June 4 with an optional primer on market fundamentals by Chris Morley, Global Risk Management.
