W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, established in 1930, supports children, families and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society. Grants are concentrated in the United States, southern Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. For further information on the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, please visit the Foundation's website at www.wkkf.org.  Inquiries about the Foundation can be directed to Joanne Krell, Vice President Communications.

Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO)

The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), established in 1896, successfully fosters uniformity in the adoption and enforcement of science-based food, drug, medical devices, cosmetics and product safety laws, rules and regulations by either drafting regulatory rules or by commenting on government proposals. By developing a broad base of support for new approaches, AFDO has become a recognized voice in determining the rules and shape of the regulatory playing field of the future. The consensus that AFDO develops is key to advancing uniform laws, regulations, and guidelines that result in more efficient regulation and less confusion among industry in the marketplace. AFDO develops support for its positions by interfacing with high-level regulatory officials, industry representatives, trade associations, and consumer organizations. This continues to have a significant impact on regulations at the federal, state and local level. 

For further information on the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), please visit their website at www.afdo.org.  Inquiries can be directed to the AFDO Office at (717) 757-2888 or by e-mail to afdo@afdo.org.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Office of Regulatory Affairs
Division of Human Resource Development

The Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) is one of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) specialized program centers. Headed by the Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs, ORA works to achieve compliance of regulated products through high-quality, science-based efforts to maximize consumer protection. ORAU, the online training university, is housed in the Division for Human Resource Development (DHRD).  DHRD's mission is to provide high-quality learning opportunities through the delivery of timely and cost-effective learning products that support the mission and strategic goals of the FDA and that meet the training and development needs of ORA personnel, state and local regulatory officials, and other stakeholders.

Western Michigan University (WMU)

Public health, education, the life sciences and the nation's food distribution system have long been areas that are among Western Michigan University's core academic strengths. The University has embraced the work of the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) and developed a strong partnership with IFPTI. Since the Institute's launch in 2009, WMU's regional site, the Kendall Center in downtown Battle Creek, has been instructional home to IFPTI training programs offered to state and local food protection professionals from around the U.S.

Founded in 1903, WMU (www.wmich.edu) is one of the nation's fewer than 200 national research universities, as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. At 25,000 students, the University is also among the nation's largest public universities, offering more than 230 degree programs, including nearly 100 at the graduate level. Among research and instructional specialties WMU brings to the partnership with IFPTI includes such areas as:

- Training and Evaluation

- Life sciences research and commercialization

- Food marketing and distribution

- Food packaging materials and RFID tracking

National Center for Food Protection (NCFP)

The National Center for Food Protection is a global food protection resource development and collaboration network bringing together food protection professionals and scientists to facilitate the exchange of information,

generation of new ideas, and acceleration of technologies that will enhance the safety of the global food supply.
 

Located in Battle Creek, MI, the Center has established the International Food Protection Training Institute (www.ifpti.org), in partnership with the Association of Food and Drug Officials (www.afdo.org), to deliver career-spanning, certified food protection training to State, local, tribal and territorial food protection professionals through a network of university-based centers of excellence.
 
In addition, the Center will house the Emerging Technology Accelerator to advance the development of novel food protection technologies that will enhance the safety of the global food supply.
 
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (www.wkkf.org) has provided start-up funding for the Center and the International Food Protection Training Institute.

For further information on the Center, please visit their website at www.natlcfp.org.