They make everything from birthday cakes to beef jerky. Now leaders of Pennsylvania's food processing and manufacturing industries are coming together to make the Commonwealth a stronger economic powerhouse through a special initiative coordinated by the College of Agricultural Sciences. "We hope to strengthen the food processing and manufacturing sector's contribution to the economic development of Pennsylvania," says Robert Steele, dean of the college. "Pennsylvania is the largest food processing state in the Northeast and ranks among the top five states nationally, but because the industry is so segmented, people often don't recognize its importance."

Still in its formative stages, the Food Industry Initiative in Pennsylvania brings together leaders from industry, academe, and government to strengthen their connections. The group addresses issues of common concern, such as workforce training, legislation, regulation, and science and technology--all areas that affect the industry's profitability and viability.

"Our group formed in response to the governor's Technology 21 initiative, which identified six business sectors that could develop family-sustaining, high-technology jobs in the Commonwealth," says Patricia Heuser, director of college relations, who oversees the project. "One recommendation was for industry to present a common voice about its issues and needs to state government. The food processing and manufacturing industry has several trade associations that address the needs of specific groups, such as the bakers or milk dealers, but they tend not to be able to take on industry-wide issues."

One objective is to develop a centralized system for industry access to resources at Penn State and other institutions in the state. "Academic institutions like Penn State often have services available that can address problems in research, technology transfer, education, and workforce training," says Heuser. "Penn State alone has more than 100 sites that could provide services, but no centralized way for industry to get at those resources. Many government programs throughout the state also could benefit food manufacturers, but manufacturers don't know how to connect with them. The governor hopes to see industry, government, and academe work together to maximize the potential that we all agree is there."

The initiative is helping to start discussions with state government representatives in the Departments of Agriculture, Community and Economic Development, Labor and Industry, and other agencies. Along with the Governor's Action Team and the Governor's Policy Office, the project will identify government resources and help to coordinate program connections to the industry.

The initiative also is facilitating an industry-driven alliance. Leaders from companies and trade associations have started to define how an alliance could best serve the needs of all segments of the industry. Serving as facilitators for the initiative are Robert Bowman, president of Antis Food Products, Inc., of Lancaster, representing industry; Paul Wangsness, senior associate dean in the college, representing academe; and Mary Bender, director of the Policy Office in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, representing government.

The Food Industry Initiative is supported by a grant from the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania, with matching support from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. For more information on the initiative, contact Claudine Nuernberger, project coordinator, at (814) 863-5846 or via e-mail at cxn8@psu.edu.

--Gary Abdullah