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Joyce Longfield, Principal of High Pressure Processing Applications, Good Foods Group LLC

Joyce Longfield turned her passion for food into a trailblazing career in packaging machinery and materials. She shares her rewarding experiences, challenges, and unique opportunities as a woman in the field.

Joyce Longfield

Tell us about your background and how you got into the packaging industry.

In 2010, I was introduced to high pressure processing (HPP) technology when I was looking into how to manufacture an allergen-free chickpea butter spread. After being introduced to the technology in Canada, the North American distributor hired me to consult on writing novel food petitions to Health Canada for use of HPP in the Canadian market. By 2015, Health Canada removed HPP out of the novel foods department and my petitions contributed to this effort. A component of these petitions is understanding the impact HPP has on packaging and therefore the requirements needed for packaging of HPP treated foods. This introduced me to the world of packaging and all the different aspects of packaging there are to be considered in food manufacturing such as the materials, the shape/feel, consumer acceptability, how it looks on shelf and, of course, sustainability.

What is the most rewarding part of your job today?

I have the best job. So much that it doesn’t feel like work because I get to wake up every day and create and be innovative. I didn’t even go to school for food science, and I was able to turn my passion for food and blend it with my master of science to create a very niche career for myself by thinking outside the box and applying my academic skillset to my passion.

What are some of the challenges that you have faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry?

This may sound naïve, but I have zero complaints. I have been very fortunate to manage a healthy balance between my professional and personal relationships with my clients as a consultant. This being said, I do see the bias in the male-dominated industry but I don’t let that cause me any concern. I continue to bring to the table my strengths and capabilities and I am not threatened by my shortcomings, as we all have a role to play and being a part of a team means welcoming the areas others fill in the gaps. Staying open minded to this perspective will help create the balance and commensalism needed in a male-dominated environment where they do not want to feel emasculated any more than you, as a woman, want to feel mistreated.

INTRODUCING! The Latest Trends for All Industries at PACK EXPO Southeast
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INTRODUCING! The Latest Trends for All Industries at PACK EXPO Southeast
New e-book on Flexible Packaging
In this e-book, you’ll learn key considerations for vertical and horizontal f/f/s and how to choose between premade bags and an f/f/s system. Plus, discover the pitfalls to avoid on bagging machinery projects.
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New e-book on Flexible Packaging