• American Retail Bakery Exposition (ARBE)

• Government Update

• Stimulus Package

• Merchandising Makeover

• Webinar - Customer Service

• Webinar - Diacetyl (Informational)

• Advertising Opportunities

• New Members

• Newsmakers

• Community Activist

• Certification

• RBA NewsBrief

• Equipment for Sale


• RBA Store

• Upcoming Events

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
October 18-20, 2009
www.rbanet.com/ARBE2009

"There once was a baker who didn't know what to do,
His business was straining, too many issues to sort through.
He pondered, and wondered, and stayed up all night.
Looking for an answer to make it all right.

"A trip to Charlotte," he heard himself say,
He registered for ARBE right away!
The sessions! The exhibits! The training! The sites!
A better business was in store; sales would rise to new heights!

The moral of the story, as one decorator would state,
Is to mark your calendars for this important date.
October 18th, 19th, and 20th of this year,
You won't want to miss it - you've got to be here."

- Aleksandra Syska, ©Retail Bakers of America

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Click here for the amazing ways to reach our industry professionals.

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Government Update

TEXAS HOUSE BILL
A bill was introduced into the Texas House Legislature to allow for "Home Bakeries" to sell products directly to the consumer with very little regulation. RBA sent a letter to most of the 150 members of the Texas House in opposing the bill as written. As an organization, we encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of the individual and some of our members started their business on this scale. However, without any inspection requirements and minimum regulation, there is no control of the product safety or the environment that the product is produced. For many reasons, including an unfair competitive position and some very bad industry backlash potential if there is health related problem coming out of a home based product, we have opposed this bill.

DIACETYL ROUNDTABLE
RBA attended a Round Table sponsored by the FDA in response to an attempt to increase regulation of Diacetyl that occurs naturally in butter and cream cheese along with some other products, including flavorings. The biggest issue is the respiratory issues that occur in production. RBA is reviewing how it can potentially effect the baking industry. It does seem to be a potential precourser to regulation on flour dust, so we will participate in FDA regulation meetings.

CALIFORNIA LAW
RBA is monitoring proposed changes to the California law on regulation of ovens and required inspections. Our goal is to make sure that inspection requirements are reasonable and within the scope of compliance by bakeries using regulated ovens.

For more information, contact Rick Bittner at (703) 610-0272 or rbittner@rbanet.com.

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2009 RBA Stimulus Package
"Recruit and Earn Cash"

Recruit new members to RBA and earn a cash prize for each new RBA member! Winners will be recognized and prizes awarded at the American Retail Bakery Exposition (ARBE) in Charlotte, NC, October 18-20, 2009.

Use your cash towards next year's RBA membership dues, ARBE registration, to pay bills or purchase ingredients!

* Package available to current RBA members only.
* New member applications must be received by September 30, 2009.
* Name of current member MUST be on the form to receive cash credit.

Not a current member? No problem! Join today to begin earning cash!

PACKAGE 1
FOR: Current RETAIL or ALLIED members
RECRUIT: New RETAIL or ALLIED members

STIMULUS REWARDS

Recruit 1-2 members
Receive $25 per member

Recruit 3-8 members
Receive $50 per member (begins at 3rd recruit)

Recruit 9+ members
Receive $75 per member (begins at 9th recruit)

RECRUIT	RECEIVE
1	$5
2	$10
3	$20
4	$30
5	$40
6	$50
7	$60
8	$70
9	$85
10	$100
NO LIMIT!	EARN MORE!

PACKAGE 2
FOR: Current STUDENT members
RECRUIT: New STUDENT members

STIMULUS REWARDS

Recruit 1-2 members
Receive $5 per member

Recruit 3-8 members
Receive $10 per member (begins at 3rd recruit)

Recruit 9+ members
Receive $15 per member (begins at 9th recruit)

Start Recruiting Today! Here's how:

• Talk to your peers who are currently not a part of RBA about membership and how it has benefited you.
• Direct them to RBA's Join Page .
• If they're not ready to join, ask if you can provide their contact information to RBA for a membership representative to contact. Once they join, you'll get the credit.
• For a list of current RBA members, view the Online Membership Directory.

For more information, visit www.rbanet.com/stimulus.htm.

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Merchandising Makeover:
Pillsbury Bakery Edition Contest

Brought to you by Retail Bakers of America and the Pillsbury Bakery Institute

GRAND PRIZE:
One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive a store front Merchandising Makeover for his/her bakery valued up to $5,000!

HOW TO ENTER:
1.   Fill out the contest Official Entry Form completely and accurately.

2.   Attach your Essay and Photos describing why your bakery needs a makeover.

• Essay must be 250 words or less, in a readable font.
• A maximum of five (5) photos will be accepted for each entry.

3.   Mail your completed official entry form, essay and photos to:          
           Merchandising Makeover: Pillsbury Bakery Edition Contest
           P.O. Box 72919
           Rockford, MN  55572

Open to members or authorized representatives of the Retail Bakers of America association who are legal residents of the United States residing in one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia 18 years of age or older as of February 16, 2009. Sponsored by General Mills Sales Inc., One General Mills Blvd., Minneapolis, MN  55440. Odds of winning depend on the number of entrants.

Entries must be postmarked by May 1, 2009.

COVERAGE FROM 2008 WINNER - LUBELEY'S BAKERY & DELI

Lubeley's Bakery Wins Makeover from Pillsbury
Ch. 2 (FOX), St. Louis
February 1, 2009
A St. Louis bakery wins a nation-wide honor and the prize is a make-over and a visit from an American icon. After 70 years in business, Lubeley's Bakery at 7815 Watson Road in Marlborough celebrated the honor and 70 years in business Saturday.

72-year-Old Mom-and-Pop Bakery Wins National Makeover Contest
KSDK.com (NBC), St. Louis
February 1, 2009
The Pillsbury Doughboy may have attracted people initially to Lubeley's Bakery and Deli on Watson, but it's what they bake that keeps customers coming back.

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Webinar Program -
Building Positive Work Relationships

Click here to REGISTER (FREE TO RBA MEMBERS)
Wednesday, April 1 , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST
“Expectation Setting/Weasel Words”

Building Positive Work Relationships. The ability to communicate effectively is certainly one of the most important skills that a person can have in the work place, whether they are communicating with customers or co-workers. The best communicators learn to convey ideas and clearly set expectations to avoid unpleasant situations and complaints. This Webinar explores the fundamentals of effective communication and helps participants understand the importance of expectation setting along with words to use and avoid.

Presented by: Renee Rouwhorst
Ryke's Bakery, Catering and Café, Muskegon, Mich., www.rykes.com

Sponsorship OpportunitY Available!
Call (703) 610-0241 to sponsor this Webinar. RBA members ONLY.

For further instructions on participating in the Webinar, visit the Webinar page..

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Webinar Program -
"Diacetyl"

Click here to REGISTER (FREE TO RBA MEMBERS)
Wednesday, April 8 , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST

Diacetyl, a key component of butter and other flavorings, has been associated with severe respiratory disease in workers in the microwave popcorn and flavoring production industries.  It occurs naturally in butter, yogurt, beer, wine, coffee and other foods.  It is added to foods such as popcorn, butter substitutes, vanilla, and snack foods to enhance taste and texture.  Little is known about the potential for diacetyl exposure to users of flavoring chemicals in the food production industry.

Bakery product manufacturers that have the opportunity to participate are those that use margarine or other butter substitutes, real or artificial butter flavors, cheese, starter distillate, vanilla type flavors, strawberry, chocolate, marshmallow, banana, or other fruit flavors.  There is no cost to the participating companies.  

NIOSH is a research organization only, and does not make or enforce regulations. NIOSH's role is to provide information and services to support U.S. industries in their workplace health and safety programs.  NIOSH does not issue citations nor levy penalties.

Presented by:
Kevin Dunn, Mechanical Enginner and Certified Industrial Hygienist
Brian Curwin, Ph.D., Senior Research Industrial Hygienist
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
www.cdc.gov/niosh/about.html  

Background:
Mr. Kevin Dunn has been investigating ways to control worker exposure to air contaminants across a broad range of industries and applications and has published research on controlling carbon monoxide exposure from gasoline powered engines, controlling exposure to refractory ceramic fibers during machining, assessing wild land firefighter exposures, and evaluating airflows and potential for disease transmission in commercial aircraft cabins.

Brian Curwin, PhD, has worked in the field of exposure assessment for 14 years. Currently he is a Senior Research Industrial Hygienist and Exposure Assessment Team Lead with NIOSH. He has been involved in occupational exposure assessment research in a variety of industries characterizing exposure to chemicals, bioaerosols, pesticides, and nanoparticles.

For further instructions on participating in the Webinar, visit the Webinar page to view a PowerPoint presentation.

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Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities

How are you going to reach your intended audience? In RBA's publications, Webinars and events - of course!

Check out our 2009 Media Guide for rates and offerings, then contact Aleksandra Syska at (703) 610-0241 or e-mail asyska@rbanet.com to place your advertisement in Baker's Rack magazine, The Business Owner newsletter, and/or the RBA Update.

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Welcome New RBA Members!

RBA wishes to welcome our newest members from February and March!

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RBA Member Newsmakers

Carlo's Bakery, Buddy Valastro, Jr., Hoboken, NJ
Buddy competed in the Food Network Challenge "Battle of the Brides" on March 22 and presented a cake to Rachael Ray, March 25, on Good Morning America in honor of her 500th episode. His show, "Cake Boss" will premiere on TLC Sunday, April 19, 9pm EST.

Edibles Incredible Desserts, Alan Furman and Robyn Hanna, Reston, Va.
The dessert shop was featured in the magazine, Costco Connection (page 64), a distribution of 7.3 million. One hundred responses were received within 10 days of the article being published! 

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Community Activist
RBA Member Shows Support in North Dakota Floods

Peter Fendt, CMB, owner of Quality Pastry Shop in Fargo, ND, has been riding airboats on the Red River, ND helping his community where needed as a result of the recent flood and snow storms. Pete is part of the Valley Water Rescue, who, along with the Coast Guard has assisted the evacuation of people and carried supplies in.

“We are so blessed to be a part of this community,” says Marcene Fendt, Peter's wife. “The planning and carrying out of the plans have been so complete.”

On Saturday, Pete helped haul clay to reinforce any weak spots of the levees. Sand balloons weighing 2,000 pounds have been laid to test their effectiveness. Recent snow storms have aggravated the situation. High water could stay up to a week, causing dangerously powerful forces against the clay dikes and sandbags, leaving the community to wait and watch.

“RBA is made up of a community of bakers who are each caring members of their own local communities,” states RBA Vice President, Rich Reinwald. “Pete best exemplifies this.”

The Quality Pastry Shop has been a member of the Retail Bakers of America (RBA) since 1973, and is also a member of the Upper Midwest Bakery Association.

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Congratulations to RBA's Newest
Certified Journey Baker!

RBA is proud to congratulate the following RBA member for obtaining his certification:

Timothy H. Murphy, CJB, Pierce College @ MICC, Steilacoom, Wash.

Want to join the ranks of certified professionals? For more information on RBA's certification program, contact Howard Cook at (703) 610-0230, e-mail hcook@rbanet.com or visit RBA's Certification site.

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NEW Member-Benefit - RBA NewsBrief

With new challenges, new technologies and new opportunities, the baking industry is evolving. To that end, the Retail Bakers of America (RBA) has partnered with MultiBriefs to create the new RBA NewsBrief, an opt-in e-mail resource providing comprehensive weekly news briefings of the week's top industry stories.

Each edition of the RBA New Brief contains articles gathered from an expansive list of sources, including The Associated Press, The New York Times, and USA Today. Addressing current topics that impact the profession, the RBA News Brief is a great way to keep informed. The electronic publication can be easily read in your office, home, or via your mobile phone or PDA.

The RBA News Brief is powered by MultiBriefs, a division of MultiView, Inc. MultiView exclusively serves the association sector by creating new forums for association-specific online media and information.

To subscribe, click here. For advertising information, call Dan Maitland, Director of Sales, at (469) 402-7025 or view the media kit.

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Equipment for Sale

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

VULCAN ELECTRIC CONVECTION OVEN & TRUE DELI CASE
posted March 9, 2009
Convection oven is all electric. 5 shelves. Vulcan model VC4ED. Deli case is 6' long with stainless top. Has casters installed already. Two sliding doors on back. True model TSID-72-2. Both are approximately 4 1/2 years old. Very well taken care of and
maintained. Both items are in storage since I closed my bakery in September, 2009. You must pick up as I have no ability to deliver. Pickup must be on a weekend as I work full time Monday-Friday. Photos available upon request.

Price: $1,000 each. Offers for both are accepted.
Contact: Wade Sexton, Frosted Monkey Bakery, Charleston, SC 29420, sextonwade@yahoo.com

HOBART MIXER, WALK-IN FREEZER, DOUGLAS DISHWASHER, SINK
posted March 16, 2009

Closing Bakery:
1. Hobart mixer – 80 qt., bowl scraper arm adapter; : $1,950 
2.  Walk-in freezer, Brown 10x8 water-cooled compressor, floor and ramp; $100
3.  Douglas 10 pan Dishwasher – needs heating element; $50
4. 3-compartment SS sink; $50

Contact: Joy Mejia, Tiffany's Bakery, 8904 Simpson Lane, Clinton, MD 20735,
Direct: (301) 877-9700; Fax: (301) 877-8817, joy@tiffanysbakery.com

RBA Classified Advertisement Policy – Equipment for Sale:

•  limited to 125 words
•  will be posted in RBA's Classifieds online section
•  will be posted for one month and will include date of posting
•  will be posted under the heading “Equipment for Sale”
•  should be e-mailed to info@rbanet.com
•  may be posted at no charge to RBA retail members in good membership standing ONLY. All other listings, including instructional courses and bakeries offered for sale and those posted by industry suppliers, will be charged the regular classified advertising rate (see Media Guide for rates).

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RBA Store

Do you have your RBA apparel on?

RBA's store features an entire new line of gift and apparel items with RBA's logo! A grand assortment of apparel for him, for her, and for your pets! Great items for your bakery and office too! Visit www.cafepress.com/retailbakers.

RBA's Store book products are also available online. Browse through the online Store Guide for a complete list of resources. Due to limited quantities, RBA cannot guarantee items will be in stock.

RECEIVE A FREE BAKERY EXPANSION GUIDE WITH ANY BOOK ORDER!
If you are considering business expansion, this overview of the process will help you decide what direction to take. Learn how to avoid the pitfalls of expansion from retailers who have successfully survived it. Included in this edition - among other things - are checklists, lists of resources and "Stories from the Trenches."

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Upcoming Events & Holidays

RBA Update Submissions
The RBA Update e-newsletter is sent to all members of the RBA. If you would like to contribute to the Update, please send submissions to Aleksandra Syska by the 20th of each month.

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Retail Bakers of America
8400 Westpark Drive, 2nd Floor
McLean, VA 22102
(800) 638-0924
info@rbanet.com