News

Call for Student Posters – 2026 Winter Conference

Are you a student passionate about food safety or environmental health?
Here’s your chance to showcase your research and connect with professionals in the field! The Minnesota Food Protection Association (MFPA) and Minnesota Environmental Health Association (MEHA) invite undergraduate and graduate students to participate in the Best Student Poster Competition during the 2026 Winter Education Conference.

Why Participate?

  • Complimentary poster printing for the first 5 students to enter
  • Free conference admission
  • Network with environmental and food safety professionals
  • Prizes:
    • Grand Prize: $300
    • Honorable Mention: $200

Poster Topics May Include:

  • Food safety
  • Water protection
  • Climate change
  • Air quality
  • Environmental contaminants/exposures

Event Details

  • 📅 Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
  • 📍 Location: Plymouth Community Center
    14800 34th Ave. N., Plymouth, MN 55447
  • Conference Info: Visit MEHA Online

How to Enter

Email Kelly Smeltzer at kelly.smeltzer@state.mn.us by January 15, 2026 to submit your poster and secure your spot.

Don’t miss this opportunity to share your work, gain recognition, and build valuable connections!

2026 Winter Conference: Join MFPA & MEHA for Food Safety Insights

Dear MFPA Member,

We are excited to announce a special opportunity! For the first time, the Minnesota Food Protection Association (MFPA) is partnering with the Minnesota Environmental Health Association (MEHA) to co-host the 2026 Winter Conference.
👉 Register Today Use code MFPA to register.

This joint event will feature the MFPA business meeting and three dynamic food safety sessions during the afternoon portion of the conference. It’s a great chance to connect with colleagues, gain valuable insights, and enjoy a collaborative learning experience.

Event Details

  • 📅 Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
  • 📍 Location: Plymouth Community Center
    14800 34th Ave. N., Plymouth, MN 55447
  • ✅ A calendar item is attached for your convenience.

MFPA Afternoon Program

🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 4:15 PM
Agenda:

  • 12:00 – 1:00 PM: MFPA Business Meeting & Networking Lunch
  • 1:10 – 2:00 PM: Commercial Kitchens – John Krumheuer, MSP Kitchenery
  • 2:00 – 2:50 PM: From Corporate to Corner Store: Retail Food Safety Practices in Small Businesses and How They Compare with Large Brands – Carrie Rigdon, AFDO
  • 2:50 – 3:20 PM: Networking Break
  • 3:20 – 4:10 PM: Panel Discussion: Genetic Advancements and Food Safety (Panelists TBD)
  • 4:10 – 4:15 PM: Closing Remarks & Poster Contest Winners Announcement

Registration Options (Lunch Included in Both)

  • Half-Day MFPA (Afternoon Only): $50 Early Bird ($65 after January 15)
  • Full-Day Conference: $130 Early Bird ($145 after January 15)

👉 Register Today: MEHA Winter Conference 2026

Don’t miss this unique collaboration and the chance to engage with experts in food safety and environmental health. We look forward to seeing you there!

Minnesota Food Protection Association
Rick Stokes, President
Steve Bowden, Vice President
Carrie Rigdon, Secretary
Polly Courtney, Treasurer
Ruth Petran, Affiliate Delegate

Welcome to MFPA

2025 MFPA Spring Meeting

📅 When:

Wednesday, May 7, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

📍Where:

Surly Brewing Company’s Scheid Hall Event Center
520 Malcolm Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414

ℹ️What to Expect:

  • Complimentary food and beverages
  • Association updates from the MFPA Executive Board
  • Opportunities to get more involved—we’ll be inviting volunteers to join committees and shape future programming
  • A special guest speaker (stay tuned—details coming soon!)
  • A chance for non-members to win a one-year IAFP membership

👥 Bring a Guest!

Know someone who might be interested in food protection? Bring them along—non-members are welcome and will be entered in the IAFP membership raffle!

🔗Register:

Please register for the meeting: https://forms.office.com/r/7ALFbn5UD5

Officers Election for 2025

MFPA Logo

Urgent: Cast Your Vote for MFPA Leadership Positions!

Dear Members of the Minnesota Food Protection Association,

We hope this message finds you well. As a valued member of our community, your participation is crucial in shaping the future of our association. Recently, we sent out an email containing a poll for the election of our new Secretary, Treasurer, and Affiliate Council member positions.

Why Your Vote Matters:

Secretary: This role is vital for maintaining accurate records and ensuring effective communication within our association.

Treasurer: The Treasurer oversees our financial health, ensuring we can continue to support our initiatives and goals.

Affiliate Council Member: This position represents our interests at a broader level, advocating for our needs and priorities

    How to Vote
    1. Check your email for the poll sent by the MFPA.
    2. Follow the link provided in the email to access the poll form.
    3. Cast your vote for each position.

    Deadline: Please make sure to submit your responses by January 17th.

    Your voice is important to us, and we encourage every member to take a few moments to participate in this election. Together, we can ensure that our association continues to thrive and effectively serve our community.

    Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

    Best regards,

    Rick Stokes
    Soon to be Past President 🙂
    Minnesota Food Protection Association

    2023 MFPA Fall Meeting

    November 8th, 5:30-8:00 pm

    University of Minnesota

    Room 15

    1334 Eckles Avenue
    Saint Paul, MN 55108

    Join us as we gather in-person to discuss food safety at the University of Minnesota for the 2023 Fall Minnesota Food Protection Association Meeting.

    5:30-6:30 Networking and appetizers or pizza

    6:30-8:00 Meeting, discussion and more networking

    Pay parking is available by the department in SC101 parking lot. On street parking on Raymond Ave may be an option as well.

    The building is typically locked, so there will be someone present to let you in.

    2023 MFPA Spring Meeting

    February 21st, 5:30-8:00 pm

    Date moved to March 8, 5:30-8:00 pm for weather

    American Swedish Institute

    2600 Park Avenue

    Minneapolis, MN 55407

    Join us as we gather in-person to discuss food safety at the American Swedish Institute for the 2023 Minnesota Food Protection Association Meeting.

    5:30-6:30 Networking cocktail hour in the Turnblad Mansion (beer/wine/non-alcoholic drinks + passed appetizers)

    6:30-8:00 Meeting, discussion and more networking in the Folke Bernadotte Conference room (additional appetizers)

    Add to Calendar

    Google Cal

    Help pick Spring 2022 meeting date

    We are making plans for our next Minnesota Food Protection Association meeting – in person! – and we need your input on date and officer nominations.

    Take the Survey

    Please complete this anonymous survey by March 18:

    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KG36L9F

    Special Venue – Food and Tour Included

    We are making plans to hold our next meeting at Kieran’s Kitchen in the FOOD BUILDING, 1401 Marshall St NE Minneapolis, MN 55413. This would include a meeting room, food, and a tour. Food and venue costs are being paid for from current MFPA funds.

    Food Building Minneapolis logo
    Meeting venue: Kieran’s Kitchen at the Food Building

    Officer Nominations

    We are also seeing nominations for Secretary, Treasurer, and Affiliate Delegate. Provide names (including self-nomination) for upcoming elections on page 2 of the survey.

    For more information on the open officer positions and elections, see MFPA Bylaws or reach out to a current officer.

    Graduating Students Looking for Work

    Do you know someone interested in pursuing food safety or related fields? As MFPA members, you can help get the word out on talented individuals. What if you are looking for someone to work in your food safety related field? You can reach out to our Communications committee or our officers and we can feature individuals on our LinkedIn pages.

    MFPA Virtual Meeting March 29, 2021 @ 5pm

    We are pleased to host our first virtual meeting! We’re going to host a demonstration a mixed reality platform as applied to food safety and quality.

    Check your inboxes for meeting link and passcode!

    Event Agenda: 5:00 pm – Welcome

    5:05 pm Presentation

    Invited Speakers: Ryon Huizenga, Ned Rucker “Mixed Reality Demonstration” w/ Microsoft Hololens 2 Ecolab – CIP wet lab

    Q&A

    5:45 pm – break out session

    5:50 pm – return to group session, reporting

    5:55 pm – Business meeting

    – Committee membership

    Close