Daniel Hudson將出任西洛士百利鄰里聯絡員

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES DANIEL HUDSON AS NEW WEST ROXBURY NEIGHBORHOOD LIAISON

BOSTON - Thursday, February 23, 2023 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu announced Daniel Hudson as the new liaison in the Office of Neighborhood Services for West Roxbury. He will serve as the primary contact for constituents and businesses in the neighborhood looking to connect with the Mayor's Office, and will facilitate the delivery of services in collaboration with City departments. “Our neighborhood liaisons are essential in maximizing the impact of City services in the lives of residents across Boston,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Dan’s experience working in government and passion for public service will help ensure the residents of West Roxbury are connected to the resources available to them, and I look forward to working with him in his new role.” “Neighborhood Services is excited to announce that we now have a liaison to represent every neighborhood in the City of Boston,” said Office of Neighborhood Services Executive Director Enrique Pepen. “Our team is positioned to connect with local residents, organizations, and businesses to eliminate silos between Boston residents and City Hall. Dan is equipped to carry out neighborhood services goals to connect neighborhood services, community engagement, and policy making.”  The Office of Neighborhood Services liaisons play an integral role in connecting residents to City services and resources by facilitating citizen input in all aspects of local government through service requests, attending neighborhood meetings, and emergency responses. Hudson was raised in Stoneham, and attended Worcester State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Finance and Economics. While there, he worked for the University President’s office and interned at the Massachusetts State House, where he would eventually serve as a legislative assistant. Before coming to ONS, Hudson worked at the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security administering grants focused on justice and crime prevention. He has lived in neighborhoods across the City and is excited to deepen his relationship with West Roxbury constituents and continue to connect the community with City Hall. In his spare time, he enjoys running at the Arnold Arboretum, frequenting the Boston Public Library, and trying to find the best slice of pizza in Boston.

麻州農業資源局獲140萬元 將擴辦耆英農夫市場營養項目

MDAR Receives $1.4 Million to Increase Seniors’ Access to Locally Grown, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables 

 

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) announced today that Massachusetts has been awarded $1,410,222 to expand the highly popular Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). The award was granted by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.  

 

The $1.4 million grant award will allow MDAR to increase the level of benefit for seniors participating in the SFMNP from $25 to $50. The increase in funding will also allow MDAR to serve an additional 2,300 seniors and disabled individuals over the next two years. 

 

“This award is a win for seniors, farmers, and our Commonwealth,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides an important safety net for our seniors and has proven to be a vital part of our recovery from the pandemic when food insecurity skyrocketed. With these funds, we can continue to expand access to local and nutritious fruits and vegetables, while continuing to support our Massachusetts farmers.” 

 

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is a seasonal, annual program providing low-income seniors with coupons to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs, and honey from Massachusetts farmers. Every year, coupons are spent at over 300 farmers’ markets and farmstands across the state.   

 

“MDAR appreciates the support and partnership with USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service and remains committed to ensuring that our most vulnerable populations, including elders, have access to local, fresh food,” stated MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. “At a time when food insecurity rates remain high, the added benefit will provide elders with high-quality, nutritious food while supporting our Massachusetts farmers and food producers.” 

 

“Every food dollar spent through the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program directly benefits local farmers, farmers’ markets, and Massachusetts residents in need,” stated MDAR’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Coordinator Rebecca Davidson. “Doubling the SFMNP benefit will amplify the impacts of this successful program on the local Massachusetts food system, while increasing access to nutritious fresh food for our Commonwealth’s seniors.”   

 

The SFMNP is administered thanks to the 23 Elder Nutrition Programs across the state that distribute coupons throughout their service areas. Every summer, coupons are distributed to eligible participants at senior centers, councils on aging, and senior housing sites across the Commonwealth. Eligible seniors must be 60 years of age or older or disabled, living in senior housing where congregate nutrition services are provided, and with household incomes below 185% of the federal poverty level. Coupons are distributed from July through the end of September every year. For more information about SFMNP, visit the MDAR program website. Learn more about program eligibility here.  

  

MDAR’s mission is to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in Massachusetts. Through its five divisions – Agricultural Conservation & Technical Assistance, Agricultural Markets, Animal Health, Crop and Pest Services, and Food Safety –

MDAR strives to support, regulate, and enhance the rich diversity of the Commonwealth’s agricultural community to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfill agriculture’s role in energy conservation and production. For more information, visit MDAR’s website at www.mass.gov/agr.  

麻州新民主聯盟要求WEEI電台道歉

WEEI RADIO STATION MUST APOLOGIZE FOR RACIST STATEMENTS, SUSPEND BROADCASTER AND MAKE EFFORTS TO REPAIR THE HARM TO BOSTON BLACKS

BOSTON—The radio station employing Tony Massarotti should suspend the sports broadcaster for his racially insensitive remarks made in New Orleans recently about blacks and crime. WEEI radio should then disclose its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices and immediately make efforts to repair the harm it has caused against Black people in Boston and beyond.   

“The statement made by Mr. Massarotti may have been made in innocence, but it was highly insensitive. It was a racist remark. It is appalling that those facing the public in the way he does are not aware of how incendiary the issues of racism remain in Boston. His apology should be accepted. But he and his station must do more than respond to this issue beyond mere lip serve. Changed policies related to racial relations and WEEI and intense and sincere community outreach is imperative,” said Rev. Kevin Peterson, founder of the New Democracy Coalition.

波士頓房地產降溫? 調查數據稱單家庭屋中位價下跌2.4%

               (Boston Orange 編譯) 大波士頓房地產商協會21日公佈新數據，一月份的房地產市場，幾乎在每一方面都持續下滑，包括原本頑固維持在高位的本地區房價。

              單家庭屋的中位價格，上個月是70萬7250元，和去年同期實銷售價格的72萬5千元相比，下跌了2.4%，如果和12月時的74萬元相比，則是跌了4.4%。

              Melrose 的Leading Edge房地產經紀，GBAR董事長Alison Socha表示，在貸款利率去年翻倍下，我們看到買家的購買力大幅下降，房地產競爭性出價的熱度也穩定下降，這就導致了一些房價軟化。

              在價格起伏，不太規律，潛在買家面對著高利率，以及昂貴得仍然是全美最高之一的價格，猶豫不決之際，一月份的房屋銷售數一連8個月下滑。房地產市場通常冬天下滑，但經濟學家們同意，目前的市場情況比季節性下降更嚴重。

              上個月有500戶住宅售出的這數目，是自從2009年以來的一月份最低記錄。和2022年一月的售出755戶相比，下跌了33.8%，若逐月相比，則是比12月的售出905戶下跌了44.8%。共管公寓的銷售也下跌了，以2022年一月的728戶售出，和2023年一月售出的553戶相比，下跌了24%。

              在單家庭屋買家為減少損失，轉向他們仍然負擔得起的房地產之際，共管公寓的中位售價倒是上漲了一點，和2022年1月的58萬6367元漲到今年1月的68萬5000元。

              通常來說，單家庭屋價格下跌對買家來說是好事，但是貸款利率基本上抵銷了價格下跌帶來的可負擔利益。

              根據房地美 (Freddie Mac)資料，目前的全國30年期固定利率平均為6.32%，和去年同期相比大幅上漲。那意味著，大波士頓內中位價格房屋的每月還款額仍然在1000元左右，比去年同期高。

              不過，春天，通常是房地產市場回溫時期，房價及銷售量都很可能上升。

大波士頓房地產協會以電郵、信件向選民訴求 反對吳弭市長租金控制提案

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 大波士頓房地產協會 (The Greater Boston Real Estate Board) 21日斥資6位數，推出宣傳行動，直接向選民訴求，反對波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 控制租金提案行動。

            吳弭上任以來有關房地產的提案，都讓房地產業感冒。早前是加徵大型土地發展計畫的連鎖金，現在則是管制租金，限制每年漲幅最高6%，外加通貨膨脹，最高不得超過10%。

            吳弭市長的「控制租金」提案還未舉辦社區公聽會，正式請市內居民討論此事，大波士頓房地產業已經按奈不住要反對了。

            作為房地產業遊說組織的大波士頓房地產協會，21日發出數位及電子郵件宣傳，勸說波士頓居民，租金控制會加劇本地區的住宅危機，而不是改善。組織者說，該組織計畫花40萬元，但是如果該提案進一步送進麻州議會，他們可能會注入更多現金，甚至把這行動擴大為全州性的活動。

            吳弭市長週二為她的提案辯護，說她的政府堅守提案立場，會和可從此殘破現狀得益的特別利益團體對抗。

            這行動是吳弭市長想要緩解波士頓市最棘手挑戰:它的令人憤怒住宅危機，所招來的最新政治戰爭。

            有些還覺得吳弭提案不夠大膽的，許多激進的房屋及租戶支持者，稱該行動顯現出房地產業害怕了。

            本地社區組織， City Life/Vida Urbana共同主任Mike Leyba表示，”這訊息是: 順應，否則我們要發出一堆信來反對你”，”他們很急迫，他們害怕了”。

            “租金管制傷害房屋市場 (Rent Control Hurts Housing)” 運動將直接發郵件給數以千計的居民，部署針對議題的短訊，並組織選民打電話給市政府，在市長、市議員那兒留下反對意見。大波士頓房地產協會執行長Greg Vasil表示，這活動由他們的會員，以及全美房地產業的相關機構贊助。

            Greg Vasil說，房地產業將竭盡所能地來反對這政策，辯稱那只會加劇住宅危機。

            吳弭市長在一份聲明中說，”我們有著急迫的住房危機，逼使家庭遷離波士頓，把兒童從他們的學校帶走。這個穩定租金提案會保護租客免於極端或不可負擔的租金上漲，免得家庭從我們的鄰里中流失，也讓人們得以保住家園”。

            波士頓租客聯盟 (Boston Tenant Coalition)執行主任Kathy Brown說，反對運動是對吳弭市長提案的過度反應。她說，”天不會塌下來”。

            租金管制是麻州選民在1994年投票禁止了的做法。這大型反對運動，只是這已經在政治上面對困難議題的另一障礙，是地方政治上的一個閃電棒，吳弭市長的計畫，甚至在該計畫正式提出前，就已經引發激烈辯論。吳弭市長面對著來自左方及右方的批評，有些人說她不夠激進，其他則說這提案根本不該提出來，而且這提案在成為法令前，必須先徵得市議會、州議會，以及州長的同意。

            波士頓市長吳弭和地產業的關係，近來更趨緊張。在租金管制之外，吳弭早前還宣佈新提案，要向大型土地發展計畫徵收

華人前進會主任陳玉珍 (Karen Chen)認為，吳弭市長的立法提案，力道還應該更強一些，那些面對住房挑戰的人，通常根本不會看到自己的年薪增加10%那麼多。陳玉珍說，她覺得房地產業有點要霸凌市長的味道。

City Life/Vida Urbana共同主任Mike Leyba也認為法案條件應該力道更強，上漲幅度應該限制在5%，或是等同通貨膨脹率，選其中較低的那個。

大波士頓商會執行長James E. Rooney則說，管制租金或穩定租金，都有人批評，要更好的服務居民，市政府應該專注於更快發出許可，和土地發展流程有關的市府各部門之間協調得更好，而不是採取風險高，模糊，過於簡單化的立法，留下一些最重要的細節沒有定義。

James E. Rooney說，市府的政策提案忽略了租金控制的重大、歷史性缺失，包括住房產量下降，非租金控制住宅更加昂貴，以及住房品質更差等。

一份波士頓的已登記選民2021年民意調查發現，四分之三支持租金控制，以防止房東漲價太多。

經濟學家警告道，館制租金會有重大的立即影響，幫助一些租客保住家園，但長期來說，會出現意想不到的後果，諸如促使未受控制的單位租金更高，或是促使房東把公寓 (apartment) 改成共管公寓 (condo)。比較有錢的租客可能撈走稀罕的有租金控制單位，因為吳弭市長的提案中並沒有收入規定。

波士頓市長吳弭宣佈COREAN REYNOLDS將出任「夜生活經濟」主任

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES COREAN REYNOLDS AS DIRECTOR OF NIGHTLIFE ECONOMY FOR THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION CABINET Reynolds will establish a new team charged with addressing urgent challenges facing Boston’s economy, including nightlife

BOSTON - Wednesday, February 22, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that Corean Reynolds will serve as the new Director of Nightlife Economy for the City of Boston. In alignment with the Mayor’s vision to make Boston a city for everyone, Reynolds will establish a new team within the Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Cabinet tasked with recommending policies, programs, and initiatives to tackle long-standing urgent challenges facing Boston’s retention strategies, such as nightlife. Reynolds will start on Monday, March 6, 2023. “We are working to create more opportunities for residents and businesses to help our night scene grow and bolster our local economy across the board,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to Corean for her leadership and look forward to advancing our work for a culturally vibrant, inclusive city with economic opportunity and community welcoming to all.” “Corean brings an important and unique perspective to the role of Director of Nightlife Economy, and I am glad to have someone join our team who is policy focused and has experience with efforts to close the racial wealth gap,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “Her leadership and passion for economic inclusion will help us advance Mayor Wu’s vision of a city that has a robust, vibrant, and family-friendly nightlife economy for all residents and visitors.” In this role within the Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Cabinet, Reynolds will be responsible for engaging internal and external stakeholders to better understand the post-pandemic challenges to a nightlife economy; working to redefine and reimagine late night in Boston; and analyzing citywide initiatives through a racial equity lens with the goal of achieving Cabinet-level priorities, which include advancing post-pandemic recovery efforts, revitalizing Boston’s neighborhoods, delivering equitable investments, and providing access to shared prosperity . Additionally, Reynolds will focus on citywide efforts that help residents build generational wealth, establish Boston as a family friendly city, and foster and retain local talent.  “It is an honor to serve as Boston’s Director of Nightlife Economy and I want to thank Mayor Wu for giving me this opportunity to create a robust nightlife economy that is inclusive of all races, cultures, abilities, sexual orientations, income levels, gender expressions, family statuses, and ages,” said Corean Reynolds, incoming Director of Nightlife Economy. “Boston's communities are already abundant with resources and this unique role will allow me to liaise between the Wu Administration and the flourishing business community, to strengthen and amplify the communities and businesses that already exist in Boston, while identifying new opportunities to expand connectivity, access, and equity amongst Boston’s diverse population.” Corean Reynolds most recently served as the Director of Economic Inclusion at the Boston Foundation, primarily focused on the development and evaluation of their economic development strategy to support their portfolio of current and prospective grantee partners. Reynolds also focused on policy, advocacy and research on ways to create a more inclusive business ecosystem. Additionally, Reynolds co-founded and managed internal operations for the Boston Foundation’s Business Equity Fund, designed to address long-standing barriers to growth financing that have historically limited opportunity for Black and Latino entrepreneurs. Prior to her work at the Boston Foundation, Reynolds supported Workforce, Supplier, and Diversity Development at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.  “I am excited to see Mayor Wu create a position that will be integral to improving Boston's attractiveness as a city for all,” said Sheena Collier, Founder and CEO of Boston While Black. “I have worked with Corean on a number of projects over the years and know that she will bring a thoughtful perspective, putting into action her years of behind the scenes work on Boston's most important issues. I will be looking to her as a key partner in moving Boston forward!” Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, Corean Reynolds witnessed the effects of neighborhood deterioration and its impact on community residents and local businesses, which inspired her to become an advocate for her community. This passion has led Reynolds, an El Mundo 2022 Latino 30 Under 30 recipient, to serve on a variety of boards and committees including as a member of English for New Bostonians Board of Directors and the Coalition for an Equitable Economy. Previously, Reynolds served as a steering committee member for Amplify Latinx PowerUp LatinxBiz, Center for Women and Enterprise, and the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund. Reynolds holds a Bachelors of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University. Reynolds is also a classically trained Soprano and has performed internationally from the age of 11

波士頓華人排球會總統日慶新春 5隊比賽斗山奪冠

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝 (右2)應邀頒發冠軍獎給波士頓華人排球會斗山隊。 (中華公所提供)

               (Boston Orange) 波士頓華人排球會21日在昆士小學體育館舉辦兔年新春盃排球賽，共5隊參賽，互賽4場，激戰5小時後，最終由斗山隊力克群雄奪冠。

              華人打排球，在波士頓已有悠久歷史，北美華人排球邀請賽也是在波士頓創辦的。近年才成立的這波士頓華人排球會，主要由伍達慈、雷海、雷洪活、李健新等人，為共約86人，多半在餐飲、糕餅業工作的老一輩，以及已進入各行各業工作的下一代子弟兵安排練球、比賽等各項事宜。

              由於大多數會員都來自中國廣東省台山鄉，會員們也因此依照村鎮名稱，分成端芬镇、斗山镇、大江镇、開平镇、都斛、冲蒌、三合，台城等隊伍。

              跨入癸卯兔年，在新冠病毒疫情似已成為生活新常態之際，波士頓華人排球協會趁著「總統日」的美國假期，學生放假的機會，向位於華埠，有室內體育館的昆士小學商借場地，舉辦了一場兔年新春盃排球賽。

              2月21日這天，共有康州、斗山、端芬、開平和唐人街隊等5隊參賽，互賽4場的麈戰5小時後，約晚上9點賽畢。所有參賽者志在參賽，聯誼，比賽一結束就呼朋引伴，走到華埠公園旁的新月宮酒家，舉行頒獎儀式，慶祝農曆新春，筵開十餘席的把酒言歡，好不熱鬧。

              比賽戰果為，冠軍斗山隊，亞軍唐人街隊，季軍端芬隊，但當天最令人振奮的消息卻是，在商家熱心贊助，會員響應捐輸之中，波士頓華人排球協會一瞬間擁有了1萬多元的年度經費。

            紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝當晚應邀出席頒獎，稱許該會為華人社區提供有益身心健康的活動，加強了華埠的凝聚力。

紐英崙中華公所乒乓球會迎春賽 容順德、陳斌華隊奪冠

 

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝(左四)為乒乓球賽頒獎。 (中華公所提供)

                   (Boston Orange) 紐英崙中華公所乒乓球會19、20兩日在中華公所禮堂舉辦兔年迎春團體賽，每隊2人，共10隊參賽，容順德、陳斌華這隊贏得冠軍。

            這場比賽由陳斌華和黃少君夫婦贊助一切費用，共舉行2日，19日為出賽，20日決賽。

19日晚，參賽各隊激戰6小時候，4組打進決賽隊伍，20日再度激戰。比賽時有父子對陣，軍師謀劃場面，現場戰況精采。

比賽結果為，冠軍，容順德、陳斌華； 亜軍-容磊、陸琦； 季軍:盧子英、易智軍； 殿軍: 陳德慈、李展飛。

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝在決賽當天應邀頒獎，致詞時特別感謝陳斌華和黃少君夫婦熱心公益，贊助比賽費用，造福社區。

北美海產展將於3月12日至14日回到波士頓

                         (Boston Orange 節譯) 第41屆北美海產展/北美海產加工業展覽將於2023年3月12日至14日在波士頓會議與展覽中心 (BCEC) 舉行。本屆展會將是歷來最大的一次，展位面積比去年多了25%，並有毛里塔尼亞、摩洛哥、巴基斯坦和巴布亞新幾內亞等新的參展國家。

參展者將有機會與來自餐廳、超市、海鮮市場、酒店、航空公司和遊輪等北美買家以及進口商、批發商和分銷商進行面對面的交流和商務洽談。展位將展示各種新鮮、冷凍、罐裝、加工和包裝的海鮮產品以及加工和包裝設備、物流和其他服務提供商，包括Acme Smoked Fish、Clearwater Seafoods、Mowi USA和Sea Watch International等公司。

主辦單位多元傳播公司稱，今年展會的特別亮點包括海鮮卓越獎、新產品展示、廚師演示和參會者賦權休息區等。參會者還可以參加涵蓋行業最新趨勢和話題的教育性會議。

展會將由NOAA海洋和大氣貿易部副部長Rick Spinrad、Wegmans Food Markets海鮮部門負責人Steve Philips、Trident Seafoods公共事務執行副總裁Stefanie Moreland、Luke's Lobster聯合創始人和首席創新官Ben Conniff，以及Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co.的聯合創始人兼首席執行官Becca Millstein等行業專家和思想領袖主導。

                            展會還將提供一系列的特別活動，以增加參與者的體驗和產品知識。北美海產展/海鮮加工業展的買家和專業人士可以通過訪問   seafoodexpo.com/north-america   了解更多信息並註冊參加。 

Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America

Brings the Industry Back to Boston

 

Portland, Maine – The organizers of Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America announced a larger 41^st edition, with an exhibit hall currently featuring over 25 percent more exhibit space than last year, and still growing.  The event, which is produced by Diversified Communications, will take place March 12-14, 2023 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

 

“It is very exciting to see such significant growth of the event.  It is a testament to how much the industry values the opportunities the in-person expo provides for their business,” said Wynter Courmont, Event Director at Diversified Communications. 

 

“While we still have about five more weeks in the commercial cycle, we have seen increased presence from countries like Canada, China, Ecuador, Iceland, India, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the US,” added Courmont.  To date, new participating exhibiting countries include Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea among others; and new pavilions represent Australia, Denmark, Papua New Guinea and Poland. China is also back with a notable presence, after a hiatus brought on by pandemic travel restrictions.

 

The exhibit hall will be packed with seafood and processing companies offering a variety of fresh, frozen, canned, value-added, processed and packaged seafood products as well as processing and packaging equipment, logistics and other service providers. Companies such as Acme Smoked Fish, Bakkafrost, Beaver Street Fisheries, Camanchaca, Cermaq US, Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods, Clearwater Seafoods, C.P. Food Products, Eastern Fish Co., Eastern Fisheries, Fortune International, Harbor Seafood, Hilo Fish Company, Mowi USA, Nissui Corporation, Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Pescanova USA, Phillips Foods, Sea Port Products, Sea Watch International, Southstream Seafoods, Trident Seafoods, True North Seafood and Westmorland Fisheries, among others, will be present at the 2023 edition.

 

The Expo offers three days of unique opportunity for suppliers to meet in person, network and conduct business with North American buyers from restaurants, supermarkets, catering firms, seafood markets, hotels, airlines and cruise lines as well as importers, wholesalers and distributors.

 

In 2022, 86 percent of visitors surveyed were involved in or influenced purchasing decisions and 73 percent of visitors who were looking for new products or innovations achieved their objectives.

 

In addition to an expanded exhibit hall, the 2023 edition will highlight an educational conference program covering more than 30 sessions addressing the most relevant topics and trends in the industry. Global economist and keynote speaker, Megan Greene, will return to present an “Economic Update for 2023 – Where are we headed?” and provide predictions on where the global recovery is heading, including an outlook for international supply chain challenges, inflation and climate change. In the annual “Power of Seafood 2023” report update, speakers will share shopper behavior data that provides insightful information for retailers interested in growing seafood sales.  During “The Evolution and Future of Seafood Processing” discussion, an expert panel will address how processing has changed, what the current market demand looks like and where there are future opportunities. The “Seafood Trends in Foodservice” presentation will draw from Datassential’s extensive resources to offer attendees information to give them a better understanding of seafood trends in the U.S. and to provide suggestions on how companies can build more targeted strategies.

 

Led by industry experts and thought leaders, such as Rick Spinrad, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere at NOAA; Steve Philips, Group Manager, Seafood at Wegmans Food Markets; Stefanie Moreland, EVP Public Affairs at Trident Seafoods; Ben Conniff, Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer, Luke’s Lobster; and Becca Millstein, Cofounder/CEO of Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co., the conference program will provide attendees with engaging and practical information to bring back to their business.

 

The exhibit hall will also present special features to enhance attendees’ experience and product knowledge such as the New and Featured Product showcases, the Seafood Excellence Awards, a new Attendee Empowerment Lounge providing content to help attendees with social media presence and career development, chef demonstrations and the popular annual oyster shucking competition.

 

Seafood industry buyers and professionals can learn more about Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America and register to attend by visiting seafoodexpo.com/north-america. 

APIAVote 加入全美行動行列 鼓勵民眾入籍成為公民

APIAVote Joins National Campaign to Encourage Naturalization The “Naturalize NOW!” Campaign Urges All Eligible Residents to Become U.S. Citizens Ahead of USCIS Fee Increases Washington, D.C. - Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) and the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) announced today the launch of “Naturalize NOW!”, a campaign encouraging eligible U.S. permanent residents to apply for U.S. citizenship.  Building on a record-breaking year for naturalization in 2022, Naturalize NOW! raises awareness of the benefits and importance of becoming a citizen, including securing the right to vote, access to better career opportunities and deepening connections to their communities. The campaign launches in the wake of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plan to increase fees, nearly doubling green card fees and increasing the cost to apply for naturalization, creating additional barriers  for low-income and working families to fully participate in shaping the nation.  “NPNA's Naturalize NOW! campaign will support eligible immigrants and refugees in pursuing their dreams of becoming U.S. citizens. We must build a nation where immigrants, refugees, and all people can achieve their full social and economic potential,” said NPNA Executive Director Nicole Melaku. “The urgency of growing our democracy and the burden the USCIS fee increases would place on future U.S. citizens are why it is so important to Naturalize NOW. Our vote is our voice and by increasing the number of people getting naturalized we can make sure their voices are heard.”  As an NPNA member, APIAVote advocates nationwide for the creation of an accessible immigration system to build a nation where immigrants, refugees, and all people can achieve their full social and economic potential. Increasing naturalization is a vital step toward realizing the potential of a truly inclusive and participatory democracy, and will benefit not just immigrant and refugee communities, but the country as a whole.   “Immigrants and refugees are the heart of our nation and their contributions to our country make our communities, economy and culture vibrant and strong,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote. “AAPIs are among the fastest growing ethnic groups in the country. Our growing numbers give us the power to decide elections, to demand our elected officials act on behalf of us, and to determine our communities’ future. We are proud to be part of Naturalize NOW!, so that we can inspire more Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants to begin their citizenship journey so our communities can continue to grow our power and we can fulfill the dream of a truly representative democracy.”  For more information on the National Partnership for New Americans and the Naturalize NOW! Campaign, visit their website at partnershipfornewamericans.org.