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Letter from the Director

The Illinois Center for Food Safety and Technology has enjoyed tremendous success since its beginning.  We have reached out to over 1,000 companies through direct contact, speaking engagements, and  mailings. Using our Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs grants, we are helping Illinois food companies become more globally competitive by providing services and resources to address their specific needs.

We are training workers in the areas of food safety, export, food law and regulation, and good manufacturing practices.  We have provided space for several companies to do trials on new processes and are building out a larger 2,500 square foot space so that even more companies can benefit from the Center's expertise.  In addition, we are currently working on site with several food companies to develop a more productive workforce and to solve regulatory problems.

The Center has created a new food security program to help Illinois food companies identify their food safety/security strengths and weaknesses.  We also conduct audits of company facilities and work with companies to assess and improve their food security systems.

Guided by our board of private and public sector food industry experts, 2004 will see the Center continue to work with food companies throughout Illinois to assist them to be more globally competitive through the transfer of best practices in food safety and security, risk management, education and training, technology and business.

The following pages of our website contain information about our classes, industry outreach, the pilot plant, and our advisory board.  We appreciate the industry's continued support and will continue to work diligently to serve its members.  We welcome your input and look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Sandra Streed
Director, Illinois Center for Food Safety and Technology