The Grain Foods Foundation and the Wheat Foods Council have formed an official partnership, effective Sept. 1. The two entities will continue to represent the common interests of the grain foods industry among consumers and influencers. In addition, both groups will retain their individual names and will be directed by current Grain Foods Foundation president andSnack Food & Wholesale Bakery's contributing columnist, Judi Adams. In addition, Gayle Veum has joined the Wheat Foods Council as vice president.

Adams was previously president of the Parker, Colo.-based Wheat Foods Council for more than 13 years prior to joining the Grain Foods Foundation in 2004. Business operations for both the Grain Foods Foundation and the Wheat Foods Council will be based in Ridgway, Colo.

“After careful consideration and discussion of the role each organization plays, we realized it made the best sense to form an industry partnership to better represent the interests of all our members,” says Breck Barton, co-chairman of the Grain Foods Foundation Board of Trustees and president of Cereal Food Processors in Mission Woods, Kan. Barton also is a member of the Wheat Foods Council.

“Judi has done an outstanding job leading the Grain Foods Foundation for the past six years, and given her previous experience as head of the Wheat Foods Council, the decision to name her president of both organizations seemed only natural,” says Joel Crowder, co-chairman of the Grain Foods Foundation Board of Trustees and a senior director of the Kroger Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

To maximize efficiencies, the Grain Foods Foundation will continue to serve as the consumer education and promotional arm of the industry, while the Wheat Foods Council will focus on opinion leaders to leverage grains nutrition education. 

“Consolidating the efforts of both organizations will maximize efficiencies and will strengthen the voice of our industry among consumers and influencers,” says David Moore, chairman of the Wheat Foods Council Board of Directors and board member of the Texas Wheat Producers Board, based in Armarillo, Texas.