This series will focus on stories about the people changing the face of the food processing in the Garden State through innovation, hard work and lending a caring hand. The NJFPA will endeavor to tell the stories that might now get attention in other mainstream channels.
If this series inspires and provides actionable ideas, it will achieve its aims.
Sponsored by
Apr 20, 2021
Welcome to the third episode of
the NJFPA Food Forum. In this episode,
Bill Mandia, Partner
at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young,
LLP, speaks with
Nolan Lewin a member of the NJFPA Board and Director of Operations for the
Rutgers Food Innovation
Center. Bill and Nolan
talk about the FIC and how
its capabilities for both large and small companies give NJ food
processors an advantage.
Guest Bio
Nolan Lewin is a member of the
NJFPA Board, contributing expertise and relationships to the
success of the organization’s work. Nolan joined the
Rutgers Food Innovation Center
in April 2018 as the Director of
the Piscataway Facility. Shortly thereafter, he was assigned
additional responsibilities as Director of Operations for both
Bridgeton and Piscataway facilities. The Food Innovation Center at
Rutgers University is a unique food business incubator and
accelerator that is a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural
Experiment Station (NJAES). The Center supports established early
stage entrepreneurs and existing food companies from concept to
commercialization.
Nolan’s previous experience includes several Plant Manager positions with Hanover Foods, Stay Fresh Foods and LiDestri Food and Drink. He has also owned retail markets, restaurants, catering facilities and cheese operations over the past 30 years. Of note, Nolan and his wife continue to own and operate a food truck.
Nolan is Food and Beverage HACCP
certified (Seafood Lead Instructor) PCQI Lead Instructor, FSVP Lead
Instructor and has performed in over 12 BRC, SQF and 3rd party
audits. He holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Rutgers in
Communication and Information.
Listeners will hear:
- How the Rutgers FIC was started as a community investment in local economic development.
- How the pandemic first slowed operations, then bounced back busier than ever.
- What the Rutgers FIC has to offer startups: including ingredient analysis, packaging, sample runs and more WITHOUT taking any IP.
- What the Rutgers FIC has to offer large companies like Conagra: including testing new recipes, packaging, and processes without taking time and space away from manufacturing facilities.
- Nolan’s predictions about what food innovation will look like over the coming year.