VOL. 4 ISSUE 9 : SEPTEMBER 2026
THE POUR OVER OFFICIAL E-NEWS OF NIOP
This issue:
Welcome back to
The Pour Over!
OILS UNIVERSITY RECAP
PAGES 02-05 TIMELY UPDATE FROM OFW
PAGE 06 PARTNER PERSPECTIVES
PAGES 07-08
At NIOP, we don't want you to have to pour over tons of information to know what's going on with the association. Instead, we're hoping to provide a monthly quick click that gives updates, details, and reminders of association benefits and upcoming events. By clicking the links within, you have easy access to details on topics of interest.
HAPPY HOUR INVITATION
PAGES 09-11 2027 CONVENTION INFO
PAGES 12-14 MEMBER INVITATION PROGRAM
PAGES 15-16 CONTINUED SUPPORTERS
PAGE 17-18 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
PAGE 19 STAY CONNECTED
PAGE 20 THE POUR OVER
PAGE 01
That’s a wrap on
Oils University 2026 Last week, 20 professionals from NIOP member companies came together in Dallas for Oils University—two days dedicated to deepening their industry knowledge, building valuable connections with colleagues and industry experts, and having a little fun along the way! The Oils University agenda was packed with education spanning the oilseed supply chain, but some of the most valuable conversations came from the attendees themselves. With different roles, backgrounds, and perspectives represented around the tables, classroom discussions quickly expanded into the real-world issues our industry is navigating today. The group dug into topics including:
Adulteration and mislabeling in the avocado oil space Additives in oils amid growing consumer demand for “cleaner” labels Perception vs. science Tariffs and trade wars GLP-1s and their impact on the food industry
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Current & emerging industry trends PAGE 02
How we define and think about sustainability Crop-growing considerations and acreage competition New farming technologies and their implications for the oilseed industry Logistics considerations across rail, truck, and barge Risk management And much more! That exchange of ideas is exactly what Oils University is designed to encourage. With a small class size, attendees have the opportunity to ask questions, share their own experiences, and learn not only from the instructors and industry experts in the room, but also from one another.
Of course, the learning didn’t stop when class ended. Attendees, presenters, and industry experts continued the conversations over dinner and throughout the two-day program, creating plenty of opportunities to build relationships with others across the industry.
THANK YOU
to our attendees, instructors, & industry experts!
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T
k n a h
u o y
from Oils University Chairman, David Tillman Vice President | Stratas Foods
I’d like to personally thank everyone who helped make Oils University 2026 possible. First, thank you to our partners at the Northern Crops Institute for once again bringing their knowledge, expertise, and thoughtful instruction to our classroom. Thank you to our incredible industry experts—Doug Adams, Brian Owens, Andy Seagren, and Nate Smithson—for making the time to travel to Dallas and, more importantly, for being willing to sit alongside our attendees throughout the program. Your ability to answer questions, share your own experiences, and help attendees apply what they’re learning to real-world situations is a huge part of what makes Oils University so valuable. I’d also like to thank the 12 NIOP member companies that entrusted their team members to us for two days of learning, networking, and, yes, a lot of fun: Adams Group, Ag Processing Inc., Bunge, Cargill, DAABON USA, Foresta Foods, J. G. Boswell Company, MGM Marketing Inc., Riverina Oils, PBF Energy, Stratas Foods, and Veracity Edible Oil Solutions. Your investment in the continued education and development of your people is what contributes to the betterment of our industry And finally, thank you to our 20 attendees. You came ready to learn, ask questions, share your own perspectives, and get to know one another. The conversations and engagement you brought to the classroom made this year’s program an especially rewarding one. Having watched Oils University grow and evolve over its first four years of existence, I’m continually reminded of just how much our industry can change in a relatively short period of time—and why opportunities to come together and learn from one another are so important. Thank you to everyone who gave their time, knowledge, and support to Oils University this year. It truly takes all of you to make this program what it is. Sincerely,
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David
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ATTENDEES Ryan Jackson Brandi Osborn Scott Martin Matt Smith Brittany Nott Sue Farhoud MaryEllen Leverenz Paige Hercules Raven Kinnetz Kate Kelly Emma Niapas Gabriel Valencia Riana Mello Ben Suber Jordyn Geddes Kara Eddlemon Garrett Rudiger Christian Loggia Deaver Arnett Ramsey Nielsen
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Adams Group Inc. Director of Sales Adams Group Inc. Director of Sales - Ingredients and Foodservice Ag Processing Inc. CoProduct and Supply Chain Manager Ag Processing Inc. Director of Supply Chain Bunge Team Leading Trading Support Bunge Product Mgmnt. - Palm & Specialty Ingredients Bunge Associate Trader - Palm Oil Bunge Pricing Manager Cargill, Inc. Strategic Account Manager - Copilot Search Branding Cargill, Inc. Price Risk Solutions Associate Daabon Organic USA, Inc. Sales, North America Foresta Foods Inc. General Director J.G. Boswell Company Customer Operations Manager MGM Marketing, Inc. Procurement & Logistics Riverina Natural Oils Commodity Merchant Saint Bernard Renewables Renewable Diesel Scheduler Saint Bernard Renewables Feedstock Trader Saint Bernard Renewables Commodity Analyst/Trader Stratas Foods Supply Chain Analyst VEOS Client Service Manager
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OLSSON FRANK WEEDA
FROM NIOP GENERAL COUNSEL
CBP’S FORM 5106 CRACKDOWN STARTED SEPTEMBER 18: A BAD ADDRESS COULD STOP AN ENTRY Below you will find NIOP General Counsel’s most recent memorandum regarding the Form 5106 Crackdown. Because a voided IOR number cannot be used to make entry, this initiative presents an immediate business-continuity risk for importers with outdated or third-party contact information, addresses, or deficient broker powers of attorney. This alert outlines the key compliance points and practical steps importers and brokers should take, including: Confirming the legal entity, physical address, email address, telephone number, and identification information currently on file with CBP. Ensuring that the physical address and contact details belong to and are controlled by the IOR, rather than a broker, forwarder, registered agent, or other service provider. Verifying that every customs broker holds a POA executed directly with the IOR. Establishing a documented update and monitoring process to prevent entry disruption, storage costs, and avoidable enforcement exposure. Evaluating potentially sensitive corrections with customs counsel where prior information may have been knowingly inaccurate or connected to broader compliance concerns. The alert also discusses CBP’s broader implementation of Executive Order 14411 and why this Form 5106 initiative should be viewed as an early indicator of more rigorous importer-vetting requirements to come. Additional memorandum will be forthcoming.
CLICK HERE FOR OFW‘S FULL MEMO
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John Dillard
Kyla Kaplan
Co-Managing Principal Attorney USDA Practice Chair
Associate Attorney
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PARTNER PERSPECTIVES Our industry is strongest when organizations work together toward shared goals. That's why NIOP is proud to collaborate with sister organizations across the industry, recognizing that each brings unique expertise and perspective while sharing a common commitment to advancing our profession. The Pour Over occasionally features guest contributors from these partner organizations, providing insights on topics that matter to our members. By sharing knowledge, expertise, and different perspectives, we can all stay better informed and better equipped to navigate the opportunities and challenges facing our industry.
We're pleased to feature Claudia Larson, President & CEO of the Edible Oil Producers Association (EOPA) as she shares her perspective on an important topic impacting the food industry today.
State Food Policy: Advancements and Legal Challenges by Claudia Larson, EOPA President & CEO Although many state legislatures adjourned or went into recess over August, the patchwork of state policy action continues. In California, lawmakers passed AB 2244, a bill which would create a voluntary certification seal for foods that meet standards for not being ultraprocessed. The bill now heads to Governor Newsom's desk. The bill, if signed by the Governor, would create a THE POUR OVER
non-ultra-processed certified seal — often referred to as "California Certified — that food manufacturers could choose to voluntarily place on the front of food products that meet standards. Food that is classified as an ultra-processed food of concern or restricted school food in California, as well as foods with specified additives, would be ineligible from carrying the seal. The bill would also require grocery stores in California to make clearly identifiable at least three or more items PAGE 07 (continued)
certified if the grocery store offers for sale more than 25 certified items. The bill also directs the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to accredit certification agents by June 1, 2029, to verify which food products qualify for the seal. Click here for the most recent version of AB 2244. On the state-level SNAP restriction front, South Carolina became the latest state to implement its SNAP restrictions when its "Healthy Food SC" project took effect on August 31, 2026. South Carolina's restrictions bar candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and other sweetened beverages from SNAP purchases while leaving diet and zero-sugar drinks untouched. South Carolina's move brought the number of states actively implementing their respective SNAP food restrictions to nine, following earlier rollouts in states including Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. Additionally, the South Dakota Department of Social Services announced Monday that it had submitted a SNAP waiver to the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, seeking permission to exclude soft drinks, defined as nonalcoholic beverages with natural or artificial sweeteners, from SNAP-eligible purchases. If approved, implementation would begin six months after federal approval. To date, USDA has approved state’s SNAP waiver requests in 23 states. Click here for information on South Dakota's waiver, and click here for USDA's SNAP waiver tracking page. Although USDA has approved 23 state SNAP waivers, 5 of those waivers have been struck down by a U.S. District Court.
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In June of this year, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled that USDA exceeded its statutory authority by approving the SNAP restriction waivers for Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia and vacated USDA's approval. USDA's Food and Nutrition Administration then issued notices to each of the five states, instructing them to suspend implementation while the court's order remains in effect. Click here for the federal court ruling vacating the waiver approvals. However, USDA has now appealed the federal court ruling. The appeal will proceed before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which will review the district court’s decision regarding USDA’s authority to approve the waivers. The appeal filing, made with just a day to spare before the deadline, leaves the five affected states without valid waivers until the D.C. Circuit rules. Taken together, these developments show that even as the MAHA-aligned SNAP restriction movement continues to spread to new states, its legal foundation remains actively contested in federal court. Click here for USDA's appeal filing. Looking ahead, the D.C. Circuit's handling of the appeal will be a critical marker to watch, since a ruling against USDA could invalidate the legal basis not just for the five plaintiff states but potentially for the broader wave of waivers approved on similar grounds. States that have not yet implemented approved waivers, including Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, and others, may also face pressure to either move forward or pause pending the outcome of the appeal. More broadly, state legislatures are anticipated to continue introducing bills that will restrict food-additives and ultraprocessed foods, especially in schools, keeping states at the center of U.S. food policy even as the federal legal questions remain unresolved.
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NO JOKE!
HAPPY HOUR IS NEXT MONTH! THE POUR OVER
PAGE 09 13 PAGE
JOIN US FOR
HAPPY HOUR
AT T H E A F O A A N N U A L M E E T I N G T U E S D AY, O C T O B E R 6 4:00 – 5:00 PM
H O R S E F E AT H E R S O C I A L AT T H E L O E W S KANSAS CITY HOTEL
If you're planning to attend the AFOA Annual Meeting in Kansas City, or you’re located near the area, join us for our annual membership happy hour! Each year, the AFOA Annual Meeting brings together many members of the NIOP community, making it the perfect opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and catch up with industry friends. To celebrate those connections, NIOP is once again hosting our annual Membership Happy Hour. Join us on Tuesday, October 6, from 4:00–5:00 PM at the Loews Kansas City Hotel for an hour of conversation, networking, and camaraderie before the conference gets underway. Whether you're a longtime member or new to the industry, we'd love to have you there!
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---- FREE TO ATTEND ---RSVP REQUESTED CLICK HERE TO RSVP NOW PAGE 10
!
F R A I E G N N I D R B
Know an industry colleague who isn't currently an NIOP member BUT SHOULD BE? Bring them along to Happy Hour! We'd love the opportunity to introduce them to fellow members and share how NIOP brings industry professionals together through education, networking, and collaboration.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
LOEWS KANSAS CITY HOTEL 1515 Wyandotte Street | Kansas City, MO 64108 Horsefeather Social
CLICK HERE TO RSVP NOW THE POUR OVER
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2027 CONVENTION RA T S I G RE
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T
PEN O N IO
S
14!! . T C O
!
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CONNECT WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERS
HEAR FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS
BEYOND THE BALLROOM
Enjoy memorable experiences outside the meeting room that give you more opportunities to connect, build relationships, and have some fun along the way. Including our new closing event at the pool!!! LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONVENTION
Meet face-to-face with 500+ industry professionals from every segment of the oilseed supply chain—strengthening existing relationships, making new connections, and opening the door to new opportunities.
Hear directly from leading experts on the issues, trends, and developments shaping the oilseed industry today—and what’s coming next.
Registration Rates SU N I O P
M E M B E R
Y B IR D P PER EARL
R A T E S
R C IN G !
N O N - M E M B E R
R A T E S
OCT. 14 - JAN. 8
OCT. 14 - JAN. 8
$1,195 PER PERSON
$2,695 PER PERSON
$325 GOLF
$325 GOLF
$50 PICKLEBALL
$50 PICKLEBALL
$50 MONDAY NIGHT DINNER &
$50 MONDAY NIGHT DINNER &
ENTERTAINMENT
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Every March, 500+ oilseed industry professionals head somewhere warm for a few days of face-to-face connection, timely education, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy time together outside the meeting room. It’s a chance to sit across the table from the people you work with every day over email and phone, meet potential new customers and industry partners, strengthen existing relationships, and make new connections from across the oilseed supply chain. In 2027, we’re heading back to The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, March 21–24. Throughout the Convention, attendees can expect a full schedule of educational sessions addressing the issues and trends impacting our industry, along with meals, networking receptions, and plenty of opportunities to connect. And with speakers like Thomas Mielke of OIL WORLD and Joe Pawlak of Technomic already confirmed, the 2027 program is shaping up to deliver timely perspectives on the topics our industry is talking about right now. Registration opens October 14, with early bird pricing available through January 8. Save the dates, start making plans, and join us in Scottsdale for the industry connections, conversations, and insights that are best experienced face to face.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER 14 - WHEN REGISTRATION OPENS! DON’T WORRY; WE’LL SEND YOU A REMINDER EMAIL TOO!
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SHARE THE NIOP EXPERIENCE One of the most common ways people discover NIOP isn't through an advertisement—it's through someone they know. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the
NIOP Member Invitation Program a new initiative that empowers our members to personally invite qualified industry colleagues, customers, suppliers, partners, and other professionals to experience the NIOP Annual Convention at the member registration rate rate. The goal isn't to "sell" membership—it's to give prospective members the opportunity to experience firsthand what makes NIOP such a valuable professional community.
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Think about the people in your professional network. Is there a customer, supplier, colleague, or industry partner who would benefit from the education, relationships, and insights that NIOP provides? If so, we'd love for you to extend an invitation. Some of the strongest members of our community joined because someone took the time to introduce them to NIOP.
Have someone in mind? It all starts with a conversation. If you know someone who would benefit from being part of the NIOP community, contact NIOP staff and we'll gladly help you get the process started! janamarie@niop.org (803) 406-2798
NIOP 2027 Annual Convention March 21-24 | The Westin Kierland Scottsdale, Arizona
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SUPPORTING NIOP YEAR-ROUND NIOP’s sponsoring companies play a vital role in the success of our Annual Convention, but their impact extends far beyond a few days each spring. Their support helps strengthen NIOP throughout the year by supporting educational programs, member services, leadership development opportunities, and other initiatives that advance our industry. That’s why we’re proud to continue recognizing these valued partners through our Sponsor Encore Series. Rather than limiting our appreciation to convention week, we’ll be highlighting our 2026 sponsoring companies throughout the year in The Pour Over as well as on the Continued Supporters page of our website.
CLICK HERE TO SEE COMPANIES WHOSE ONGOING COMMITMENT HELPS MAKE NIOP’S WORK POSSIBLE
OUR 2026 SUPPORTERS DIAMOND LEVEL
PLATINUM PLUS LEVEL
TERMINALS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
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GOLD LEVEL
SILVER LEVEL
BRONZE LEVEL
We are sincerely grateful for these companies and their partnership. We look forward to continuing to showcase the organizations and individuals whose commitment helps advance our mission and serve our members.
LOOKING AHEAD If your company is interested in partnering with NIOP, we’d love to hear from you! Connect with NIOP staff to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and how your organization can get involved. leigh@niop.org (803) 252-7128
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WHAT’S BREWING? Want to stay on top of everything happening at NIOP? Our Calendar of Events webpage is the perfect place to start. Whether you're planning your travel schedule, looking for upcoming educational opportunities, or simply trying to stay informed, the NIOP Calendar of Events helps you stay in the know—and stay ahead.
VIEW THE CALENDAR place, making it easy to plan ahead and make the most of your membership. Don't miss what's brewing at NIOP. Visit the Calendar of Events regularly and mark your calendar for the programs and meetings that matter most to you.
The calendar includes dates, times, and locations for all upcoming NIOP meetings and events, including committee meetings, Board meetings, educational programs, webinars, networking opportunities, and the Annual Convention. Everything is conveniently listed in one
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Stay Connected
WITH NIOP
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