UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- "We Put the Science in Food" will be the theme of special displays in the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibit Building at Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 17-19.

Food processing generates more than $22 billion in sales annually in Pennsylvania, which is home to nearly 1,500 food processors, explains John Floros, head of Penn State's food science department.

"Many people don't know that Pennsylvania is number one nationwide in the value of shipments of canned fruit and vegetable specialty products, chocolate and cocoa products, potato chips and pretzels," he says. "Food production plays a major role in our state's economy, and we want to present the science and technology needed to transform raw agricultural commodities -- plants and animals -- into great-tasting, nutritious and safe food at a minimum cost to the consumer."

The department hopes to present food science as a field with great potential, opportunities and flexibility, Floros says, and something to offer different population segments.

"Young people will see that food science combines chemistry, biology, engineering and nutrition into one integrated curriculum," he says. "Graduates can choose among many different career paths, and we can nearly guarantee them a well-paying job and a rewarding career."

Visitors to the College Exhibits Building will see a variety of displays designed to inform and fascinate:

--"What is Food Science!" will give you an overview of the creation, development, processing, packaging, marketing and distribution of high-quality and safe food products on a large scale.

--"Raw Ingredient to Packaged Product" is a walk through the chocolate manufacturing process from cocoa beans to candy bar. Working, small-scale models of actual machines used in the chocolate-making process will be displayed along with cocoa beans, cocoa butter, sugar and other ingredients.

--"Food Science Facts and Trivia" is a multi-media presentation with more than 400 fascinating, little-known facts about popular foods currently or once on the market.

--"History of the Creamery" uses banners and displays to take visitors through the history of Penn State's University Creamery from its founding in 1865 to its present and into the future. The exhibit will include actual antique equipment and photographs from each era displayed, as well as a scale model of the new Food Science Building, which will house a new and improved Creamery.

--"Food Science Product Development Team" tells the story of the award-winning product, Veg@eez, a vegetable spread developed by four Penn State food sciences students that won the NASA Food Technology Commercial Space Center space food contest for products that can be produced in outer space. This exhibit includes an actual NASA space suit.

The College Exhibits Building Theatre will feature 20-30 minutes presentations on a wide range of topics in food science, including:

--"Foods for Non-Conventional Diets" will tackle current food-related issues including low-carb (Atkins) diets, trans-fats in foods, diets for Celiac and other topics, highlighting pros and cons related to diets and health.

--"Foods for Space Travel" will discuss the general needs, requirements and limitations in developing and consuming foods in space. Specific issues related to a Mars mission also will be addressed, as well as a demonstration of the Veg@eez space travel food developed by Penn State students.

--"Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Can Be Fun. Really!" While lives are still being lost to this disease, in more cases than not cancer is preventable and survivable. Come and hear what you can do to take action and have fun with cancer prevention and early detection.

--"Food Safety of Wild Game." With hunting seasons occurring earlier in the fall and warmer weather likely, there is increased potential for food-borne illness, especially when hunters improperly handle or process their deer. Penn State's comprehensive program teaches hunters and others important information on food safety of wild game.

--"The University Creamery" will present that institution's role in the department of food science, its history at Penn State and current developments. Information also will be provided about the Creamery's internship program and its ties to the state's dairy industry, as well as its links to regulatory agencies that oversee milk safety and the viability of the dairy industry in the United States. In addition, the University Creamery will be selling ice cream near the exhibit daily.

--"Yes, You Can: Home Food Preservation." Penn State Cooperative Extension, a recognized authority in the canning, freezing, drying, pickling and fermenting of food, provides up-to-date information about safe home food preservation in demonstrations for both the novice and the experienced.

--"The PA Preferred Program" introduces a new program that encourages purchasing products grown, harvested, manufactured or packaged in Pennsylvania. Growers, processors, manufacturers, grocers, nursery owners, wholesalers, restaurants and consumers can learn how to participate in the program.

--"The Pennsylvania Food Code." The new Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Food Code, which took effect in December, may bring food-safety changes to consumers.

Penn State's Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 17; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 18; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 19th. Admission and parking are free. For more information visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu. EDITORS: Contact Thomas Dimick at 814-865-3360 or by e-mail at tsd3@psu.edu.

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Writer/Editor: Gary Abdullah Office 814-863-2708