MEAT+POULTRY - September 2024 - 43

" The 2024 AAMP Outstanding Service
Award recognizes a person who has worked
tirelessly within their state association to
ensure the success of not only the association
but also its members, " Young said of
Handsaker. " For years she has worked to
strengthen an association that was in need of
strong leadership, and she has provided that. "
Before receiving the award, Young
highlighted Handsaker's experience growing
up in the meat industry, which allowed her
to understand different production and
processing areas. During her career she
worked in cattle raising, meat processing
and in the foodservice segment of the
meat business.
" With that well-rounded knowledge and
involvement on many sides of the industry,
Dianne can easily talk to processor members
about issues they may be having and direct
them to the right party that will have the
answers, " AAMP said. " Oftentimes, she will
take it upon herself to make the contact and
get the answers. "
AAMP officials presented twin brothers,
Joshua and Logan Hering of Perkins, Okla.,
with the Stephen F. Krut Scholarship. Both
Herings will use the money to help them
continue their education at Oklahoma
State University.
The final award from the opening session
was the FW Witt Supplier of the Year, which
was presented to Kerres USA.
" Each year, Kerres USA is active in
supporting not only AAMP but also its
state affiliates, always willing to help with
seminars and other activities to support the
organization and its members, " the association
said. " Kerres USA has also been generous in
its sponsorships of AAMP, its affiliates and
other special programs designed to support
small processors. "
During the opening session, Paul Kiecker,
administrator of the US Department of
Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety Inspection
Service (FSIS), provided an update on the
agency's latest initiatives that would affect
small meat processors.
Kiecker started by discussing the USDA's
proposed rule to reduce Salmonella in raw
poultry products, which could have significant
effects on meat plants around the country. He
stressed the importance of meat processors'
and stakeholders' comments during the
60 days the proposed rule is posted to the
Federal Register.
" We consider all of the comments before
we go ahead with the final rule, so don't
wait for the final rule to come out if there's
something in there that you feel strongly
about, " Kiecker said to AAMP members. " Make
sure to comment on that. "
Kiecker also mentioned the new " Product
of USA " label claim for meat, poultry and
eggs that will apply to products derived only
from animals born, raised, slaughtered and
processed in the United States. The voluntary
rule goes into effect in January 2026.
ANNUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
At the closing banquet of the American
Association of Meat Processors Convention
on Aug. 3 in Omaha, Neb., the association
presented the AAMP Annual Achievement
Award to Rick and Carolyn Leiding of Leiding's
Meats and Catering, Danville, Ill.
" The people we are honoring tonight have
always been willing to share their knowledge
and personal time on behalf of the small meat
processing industry for many years, " Young
said during the award presentation.
After some time stationed in Germany
while serving in the US Army in the 1970s,
Rick decided to pursue his dream by working
tirelessly at a meat processing plant to reach
a point where he and his wife Carolyn could
purchase their own facility. Ultimately, in 1997,
Rick and Carolyn realized their dream and
opened Leiding's Meats and Catering.
" Rick's dedication to research and
development has been a hallmark of his
career, " the association said. " Rick and Carolyn
work tirelessly to collaborate with other
businesses, by testing and experimenting with
new products and flavors. "
Rick's work has won him multiple awards
for his cured meat products and in 2014, Rick
was inducted into the American Cured Meats
Hall of Fame.
Rick served on various boards of directors
for both the Illinois Association of Meat
Processors and the American Association
of Meat Processors and has a reputation for
sharing his knowledge with other processors
and teaching multiple seminars for members of
both associations.
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