The Independent Bakers Association’s (IBA) annual winter meeting was held Feb. 13-16 at the Breakers Resort, Palm Beach, Fla.

Commodity prices were of particular concern to attendees. Jim Hess, Horizon Milling, covered the state of the crop and factors affecting price, while Brian Stevenson, commodities consultant for B. Stevenson and Associates, discussed purchasing strategies. They concluded that while variables such as weather, acreage devoted to wheat and the price of corn are liable to make prices volatile, stronger wheat supplies make 2011 less gloomy than the “perfect storm” of 2008. “We can grow ourselves out of it, but it’s a combination of acreage and weather,” Hess said. “And it’s not just wheat on its own [determining price], it’s other grains–corn and soy. ”

Stevenson offered cautious optimism with a procurement strategy that suggested–controlling for weather and acreage–wheat prices were high at the moment and may be destined to go down. “It’s really time to get to pricing,” he said.

Brian Stevenson, principal of B. Stevenson and Associates, discusses flour procurement strategy.	(from left) Ryan Smith, AB Mauri Fleischmann’s; Jordan Hale, Southern Perfect Fabrication; Stevenson; and Alyson Winick, Schwebel Baking
Kevin Wagner, political science professor, Florida Atlantic University, presents his political outlook for 2011.	Jim Hess, Horizon Milling, explains how weather, acreage and other grains factor into the price of flour for 2011.
Attendees enjoy the BakePAC Dinner, sponsored by Lesaffre Yeast.	(from left) Robin Alton, Pan-O-Gold; Sandy Whann, Leidenheimer Baking; Joe Davis, McKee Foods
(from left) Nick Pyle, IBA president; Leah Whann, Leidenheimer Baking; Ron Jones, Dawn Food Products