Stronger Together

Expanding Education for

the Baking Industry

ASB members can look forward to even greater access to high-quality education through our new multi-year collaboration with the American Bakers Association. 

This five-year, $500,000 collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing educational program development and marks an important step in strengthening the industry through expanded learning opportunities, workforce development, and stronger alignment around the issues shaping commercial baking. 

The Next Phase of ASB Education

For ASB, this means greater focus and momentum behind course development. Building on the kind of hands-on, industry-relevant training seen in our Commercial Bread Production course, ASB will be able to accelerate the development of new educational offerings that serve baking professionals across a wider range of technical and professional needs.

As these plans take shape, members can expect more opportunities for practical training designed to support career growth and strengthen the industry’s talent pipeline.  

Just as important, this collaboration reinforces ASB’s role as a trusted hub for education and connection in the baking industry. For members, that means continued investment in accessible, relevant programming, along with stronger ties between education, workforce development, and industry advocacy, all helping ensure the commercial baking community is better prepared for the future. 

May 7th

Webinar: Yeast Functionality 

Understanding yeast is essential to consistent, high-quality baking. Part 1 of ASB’s Leavening Mini- Series, this session explores how fermentation works, the factors that influence yeast performance, and best practices for handling and troubleshooting in commercial bakery environments. 

June 2nd 

Kansas City Regional Meet-Up

Join us for a relaxed and engaging evening on the rooftop deck of Commercial Baking/Avant Food Media in the heart of Kansas City, hosted by Corbion. Whether you're new to the industry or looking to expand your professional circle, this networking event is the perfect opportunity.

June 7th

Casual Meetup at IDDBA 

ASB is bringing the community together at Splitsville Luxury Lanes during IDDBA 2026 in Orlando, Florida for a relaxed evening of connection off the show floor. Join fellow baking professionals to unwind, network, and enjoy great conversation—whether you bowl or just catch up. 

July 15th 

Chicago Regional Meet-Up

Join us at the Rademaker Experience Center for an interactive Regional Meet-Up. This experience combines hands-on learning with meaningful networking, giving baking professionals the chance to explore equipment in action, exchange ideas, and build valuable industry connections. 

Protecting Our Industry

To keep you informed on important legislative and regulatory issues impacting our industry, ASB is partnered with the American Bakers Association to bring you timely updates.

Urging Congressional Support For The Energy Star^® Program 

ABA and twenty-nine other organizations sent a letter to the House and Senate appropriations Committees expressing support to continue 2027 funding for the ENERGY STAR® program taking the approach in the 2026 spending bill that was signed into law.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Jeff Rootring 

Vice President of Technical Sales 

AB Mauri North America

In this month’s Member Spotlight, we’re proud to feature Jeff Rootring, Vice President of Technical Sales at AB Mauri North America and a longtime contributor to the baking industry. With 45 years of experience, Jeff has built a career grounded in both operational leadership and technical expertise, supporting bakers across a wide range of production environments. 

Jeff’s career spans decades in wholesale baking, where he held multiple management roles before moving into education and technical leadership. He spent eight years as an instructor at the American Institute of Baking, teaching bread and roll production. He describes that time as especially meaningful, giving him the opportunity to share the science and art of baking with students from around the world and watch many of them go on to make a positive impact in the industry. 

Today, Jeff leads technical sales for AB Mauri North America, with a focus on education and training for both internal teams and customers. His commitment to developing people continues through his involvement with ASB as a 30-year member, including his role in developing and launching the Commercial Bread Production course. Jeff was a huge advocate for bringing back in-person training, volunteering support from AB Mauri and their team to bring the program to life and ensure its success. 

For Jeff, ASB represents the connection point for the baking industry, bringing professionals together to learn, share, and grow. We appreciate his continued investment in education and community, which reflects the kind of leadership that keeps the industry moving forward.  

American Society of Baking | 4231 W 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46268

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