03/25/1994

Huffman Named Director of AU's Food Technology Institute

AUBURN. Ala. - Dale L. Huffman, professor of animal and dairy sciences at Auburn University, has been named the first Director of the Food Technology Institute at AU, according to an announcement by Gerald W. Johnson, acting vice-president for research at the university.

Huffman is best known for his participation in the development of AU Lean ground beef and sausage products. He has been a member of the Auburn faculty since 1963 and has worked extensively with industry in development of new meat products. While research activities have been the most visible feature of Huffman's career, he states that the most rewarding aspect has been his work with undergraduate and graduate students. He is justifiably proud of the success many of these graduates have had in the food industry.

In making the announcement, Vice-president Johnson said, "We feel fortunate to attract a person of Dr. Huffman's caliber to the director's position. He brings with him many years of experience and numerous contacts in the food industry. His appointment will allow us to proceed rapidly in developing the Food Technology Institute at Auburn."

The Food Technology Institute (FTI) was established in April 1993 by AU President William V. Muse. It is a cooperative research, teaching, and extension program with the food industry. The FTI involves faculty from Auburn's colleges of Agriculture, Engineering, Science and Mathematics and Veterinary Medicine, and from the School of Human Sciences. It is supported by the vice-presidents of research, extension and instruction, and by the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.

Lowell Frobish, director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and chairman of the Administrative Board for the Food Technology Institute said, "We have strong cattle and poultry industries, a rapidly developing fruit and vegetable industry and we produce food from a number of agronomic crops, like peanuts, in Alabama. The Food Technology Institute will allow Auburn to work with these industries to develop food products in Alabama, instead of sending these raw materials out-of-state for processing.

"As director of the Food Technology Institute, my first task is to get more faculty working cooperatively on food-related problems. We need to identify ongoing research that fits into the FTI focus and begin to bring more faculty members together to work on common problems," Huffman said.

He says food safety is a good example. "The safety of our food supply at all levels from production to consumption will be an additional focus of the Food Technology Institute. Ongoing research and extension activities related to food safety will be strengthened under the new Institute," Huffman noted.

Huffman pointed out that Alabama already has nearly 300 food processing firms, which employs more than 30,000 people and returns nearly $5 billion annually to the state's economy. "So, we have a strong base to build from, and the FTI provides the means for Auburn to help our food industry expand," Huffman said.

"The real beauty of the FTI is that it allows Auburn to develop meaningful partnerships with industry. It allows our scientists to work in industry to make practical application of research technology. It allows product development people from industry to work on campus, and it allows our students access to the best of both Auburn University and the food industry in which they will work after graduation. The FTI will also generate a great deal of information, which will further enhance our outreach program in Extension," Johnson concluded.

Huffman's appointment as the first Director of the Food Technology Institute becomes effective April 1.

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Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
by Roy Roberson

03/25/94