By Melanie Jackson, FAPC Communications Graduate Assistant

(Stillwater, Okla. – Dec. 14, 2016) Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center was called “a center for all of Oklahoma” during its dedication in 1997, and that stated mission continues to provide benefits today in terms of enhancing food products and keeping jobs and dollars in the state.

“The impacts FAPC has had on the food and agricultural industries in the state are tremendous,” said Roy Escoubas, FAPC director. “From education and training sessions to client projects to food-safety assistance, FAPC continues to be a resource for food processors.”

In 2016, FAPC had an economic impact of $405,000 on entrepreneurial business, $565,000 on medium and small food processors and $73,868,750 on large food processors. FAPC’s total economic impact was $74,838,750.

FAPC conducted 67 education and training sessions at FAPC, which brought in 1,748 attendees in 102 days. Combined with 1,418 tour visitors, FAPC continues to be a popular destination on the OSU-Stillwater campus.

“FAPC’s research laboratories, pilot-processing facilities, educational programs and seminars keep food and agricultural processors and entrepreneurs on the forefront of cutting-edge value-added processing and technology,” said Jim Brooks, FAPC manager of business and marketing services. “FAPC’s programs, projects and activities help support innovation and growth of food and agricultural business sectors.”

Although based on OSU’s Stillwater campus, FAPC professionals worked with 104 clients in 62 communities and 46 counties throughout Oklahoma in 2016.

Of those clients, 62 focused on food-safety assistance during 192 sessions and 361 training opportunities, making food safety a top priority for FAPC.

“Oklahoma’s value-added food sector is an important part of our local, county and state economies,” said Tom Coon, vice president for OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, of which FAPC is a part.  “FAPC’s role in helping entrepreneurs, processors and related businesses strengthen their operations provides significant value and is one way our land grant mission is improving the quality of life for Oklahoma communities and their citizens.”

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Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 36,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 25,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 120 nations. Established in 1890, Oklahoma State has graduated more than 260,000 students who have been serving Oklahoma and the world for 125 years.