American Bakers Association announces “Tapping Into the Power of Bakery: Blockchain” presentation at ABA 2019 Convention

Washington, D.C. – The American Bakers Association is excited to announce a dynamic lineup of speakers for this year’s ABA 2019 Convention: Power of Bakery. Here is a closer look at one of the timely sessions at this year’s Convention:  

Tapping into the Power of Bakery: Blockchain Monday, April 8, 2019, 12:25 am – 12:45 pm  

Remember the E.coli outbreak that affected the romaine industry in the Spring and Fall of 2018? More than a half of a billion pounds of associated product was thrown into the landfill. Would that have had a better outcome and less waste if the industry was on Blockchain?

Transparency in the supply chain is now an achievable goal. Blockchain can be the enabler that takes your organization from being effective to being the choice of customers.  

“There is no such thing as competition between companies when it comes to food safety,” said Robb MacKie, President and CEO of the American Bakers Association. “It is critical for the baking industry to understand the details of Blockchain, what it is, and how it can help keep the food supply safe in a cost-effective way.”  

Howard Popoola from The Kroger Co., will help ABA Convention attendees gain new insights into Blockchain and what it means for the baking industry.    

More on Howard Popoola:  

In his role as the Vice President of Corporate Food Technology and Regulatory Compliance for The Kroger Company, Cincinnati, OH, Howard has the overall strategic responsibility and direction for food safety, quality assurance and product development for the entire company, this includes approximately 2800 retail stores and Kroger’s 36 own manufacturing facilities – Dairy, Bakery, Pet Food and Grocery plants.  

Prior to joining Kroger, he led product integrity and regulatory compliance functions as Vice President at Topco Associates – a private label procurement company in Elk Grove Village, IL. With over 25 years of experience in the food industry, he has had the opportunity to work at several food companies and in progressive food safety and quality roles including US Foods, Nestle, Kraft and Darigold, Howard is a food microbiologist by training and has advanced degrees in Integrated supply chain management from Michigan State University.    

-ABA 2019 Convention-

The premier annual gathering of the baking industry, the 2019 ABA Convention will take place April 7-10 at the Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach Resort in Naples, Florida. This event is where top industry leaders network with key colleagues, leverage expertise to navigate the evolving marketplace, and tap into new strategies for growth.    

-American Bakers Association-

The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 1,000 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, cookies, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $153 billion in economic activity annually and employs more than 799,500 highly skilled people.