Georgia's Traditional Industries Program and FoodPAC

As part of Georgia's strategic economic development thrust for traditional industries, the Traditional Industries Program for Food Processing was started in June 1993. It resulted in the formation of a public-private partnership among the food industry, Georgia's institutions of higher education, and Georgia's state agencies. That partnership is called the Food Processing Advisory Council or FoodPAC.

In 1994, FoodPAC defined its vision as seeking to make Georgia the national and international leader in food processing in the 21st century.

Toward that end, the Traditional Industries Program for Food Processing was given the mission of seeking to enhance the competitiveness of Georgia's food processing and allied industries in order to provide for economic growth through expansion of existing industries and the attraction of new food-related industries.

The program addresses this mission by:

• identifying critical issues affecting the competitiveness of the industry
  
  
• developing realistic strategies that address identified issues
  
  
• enhancing excellence in research and development between colleges and universities in Georgia and the food processing industry
  
  
• developing and delivering high-impact programs targeted on critical needs
  
  
• continually evaluating the overall effectiveness of all activities undertaken

One of the unique features of Georgia's food processing industry is its broad diversity in terms of size, production, and geographic distribution. Virtually every region of the state feels the economic impact of this important industrial sector.

Reporting Results

An annual Report to Industry is published in November of each year covering summary reports of projects just completed and outlining those projects funded for the current year.

In addition, each research team is required to make at least one oral presentation of its funded activities to an appropriate industry gathering and to deliver a final report on all findings.

To ensure the widest possible dissemination of project results, FoodPAC not only mails out a printed annual report, but also publishes this report on the website at foodpac.gatech.edu/publications.html