For Immediate Release
International Production & Processing Expo
Tucker, Ga. - January 30, 2025

Collaboration and Attaining Realizable Sustainability Goals Key Topics at the Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit

Sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and the Meat Institute, the annual Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit offered key insights on collaboration and attaining realizable sustainability goals in addition to hearing the latest on how the meat, poultry and egg, and animal feed industries are advancing their sustainability programs. The summit was held during the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), taking place this week in Atlanta, Ga.

The summit began with a keynote panel providing restaurant insights into sustainability and collaboration. The panel included PJ Newcomb, sustainability director working with Golden State Foods; Bryan Valladares, senior sustainability analyst, Darden Restaurants; and Lankford Ruffin, director of environmental affairs and sustainability at Butterball LLC.

The panel discussion covered topics such as animal welfare, carbon emissions, feed production footprint, and collaboration between customers, producers and suppliers. Newcomb remarked that “sustainability is a journey, not a destination” and that rules and requirements change frequently. Valladares said that “collaboration is key between producers and suppliers,” while Ruffin stated that “it is important for retailers to know where we are going.”

After the panel discussion, representatives from the meat, poultry and egg, and animal feed industries provided updates on their programs and tools aimed at advancing sustainable protein production. A key theme emphasized by industry leaders was the importance of communication across the animal agriculture sector to achieve sustainability goals and effectively highlighting each organization’s contributions. Speakers included Ryan Bennett, executive director of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs and the International Poultry Welfare Alliance; Lara Moody, P.E., executive director of the Institute for Feed Education and Research; and Eric Mittenthal, chief strategy officer at the Meat Institute and The Protein PACT.

About IPPE
The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is a collaboration of three shows - International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and the International Poultry Expo - representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Meat Institute and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY).

About AFIA
Founded in 1909, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), based in Arlington, Va., is the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers. The organization's membership is comprised of more than 650 domestic and international companies that represent the total feed industry-manufacturers of commercial and integrated feed and pet food, ingredient suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, industry support and equipment manufacturers. AFIA members manufacture more than 75% of the feed and 70% of the non-grain ingredients used in the country. AFIA is also recognized as the leader on international industry developments and holds membership in the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF).

About the Meat Institute
The Meat Institute represents the full community of people and companies who make the majority of meat American families rely on every day. The Meat Institute's hands-on regulatory and technical expertise, proactive advocacy, unique convening power, collaboration within and beyond animal agriculture, and sector-leading continuous improvement initiatives drive relationships and resources that ensure meat continues to be a vital, trusted pillar of healthy diets and thriving communities for generations to come. To learn more, visit MeatInstitute.org.

About USPOULTRY
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the All Feather Association progressively serving its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Georgia.

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PJ Newcomb with Golden State Foods, Bryan Valladares with Darden Restaurants, and Lankford Ruffin with Butterball LLC, participating in a panel discussion during the Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit at the 2025 IPPE.