Regulatory Report

SFM Moves Conference To Miami Good news for SFM National Conference attendees: The Society for Foodservice Management’s annual meeting is shifting venue but dates will stay the same. The event was scheduled to take place in New Orleans from Oct. 19-22. Now you can plan on heading to Miami’s Sheraton Bal Harbour Resort instead, over the same Oct. 19-22 span. Revised conference registration and hotel reservations will only be available electronically. Also, "late fees" will be waived, so you do not have to register by a certain date to enjoy discounted rates. Visit the SFM Web site, www.sfm-online.org, for the latest updates.

Associations Step Up Post-Katrina Efforts
A steady stream of relief announcements has flooded our office, as industry associations mobilize to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Here’s an update on the latest; we’ll bring you more news as we get it.

• The national "Dine for America" day, organized by the National Restaurant Association, will take place Oct. 5. On that day, participating restaurants will raise money for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Operators can donate any percentage of sales on that day, make donations for the sale of specific items, or set out donation canisters. To find a participating restaurant near you, see www.dineforamerica.org.

• The Illinois Restaurant Association has designated Sept. 24-Oct. 1 as "Appetite for Relief" week. The IRA is asking members to donate profits from the sales of a designated appetizer, entrée or dessert to the Red Cross. For details, call the IRA at 800/572-1086, or e-mail illinoisrestaurants@illinoisrestaurants.org.

• The NRA’s Restaurant Employment Center, online at www.restaurant.org/katrina/jobboard.cfm, offers operators across the nation a place to post job listings for hospitality-industry employees displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

• The American Correctional Food Service Association has implemented the ACFSA Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund and will donate collected funds to ACFSA members in the Gulf States. Donations may be made to Key Bank, 932 N. Main St., North Canton, Ohio 44720. Credit card donations can be accepted by Gloria Grove at ACFSA; phone 952/928-4658.

• The Foodservice Consultants Society Int’l. has set up the Drive to Survive, which will pass on 100% of all donated funds to the families of foodservice employees who need help. Donations may be sent to the Drive to Survive, c/o SSA, 5701 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park, Fla. 33781; phone 727/549-8408.

• The Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association says it has given $10,000 to the American Red Cross, and is encouraging its members to donate as well.

• And the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers tells us it will contribute money to the American Red Cross ($100,000), America’s Second Harvest ($50,000) and Habitat for Humanity ($50,000).