ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program hosted Latin American partners on a trade team this week to IFT First in Chicago, Illinois. The trip highlighted the role of U.S. soy in food innovation while also boosting the knowledge of educators in Central American universities. IFT First is the world’s largest food science and innovation expo. The event provided attendees from Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic with exposure to new technology, ingredient trends, and new applications, including the incorporation of U.S. soy in products for consumers.
Additionally, the 13-member delegation toured the soybean farm of WISHH committee secretary Jeff O’Connor, who also serves on the Illinois Soybean Association. Illinois Soybean joined the trade team as O’Connor educated them on how farmers sustainably grow U.S. soy in the United States. The group learned about O’Connor’s water conservation efforts, no-till farming, and use of cover crops to grow high-quality soybeans for customers.
WISHH used the trade team to foster greater collaboration between universities and the food and beverage industry in Latin America. The two leverage the knowledge gained through their partnership with WISHH not only for outreach to customers, but also to educate the public about U.S. soy.
“Food companies are more willing to work with us universities because of WISHH,” added trade team member Ana Colmenares, a food science professor at the University of the Valley in Guatemala. “We are also showing them things such as important chemical markers for protein quality. We are even able to spend more time on research. I can actually supplement the time the industry is spending with my own research.”
That means businesses gain more value on how to utilize soy in their products while universities are dispelling misconceptions about U.S. soy with science.
“Research and development are important to us,” adds Adolfo Villatoro, a member of the research and development department at Alimentos S.A. “We need specific tools to help find new customers. This trade team helps us find new opportunities for exploration.”
WISHH leveraged USDA Regional Agricultural Promotion and Foreign Market Development program funds to host this year’s trade team.