Monday, August 24, 2009

Before Our NOPA, there was Their NOPA

National Oilseed Processors Association

So much for our supposedly distinctive, on-target-cool acronym, NOPA. The North Panhandle Neighborhood Association, NOPNA, first touted NOPA for our little space in the San Francisco world of neighborhoods. Sorry, New York Times, "NOPA" was launched before our top-flight restaurant of the same name appeared. No rivalry here: NOPA the restaurant put us all on the map. But neither the association nor the restaurant were the first. Google "nopa" and after the three NOPA restaurant entries, there's an unexpected one.

On August 1, 1989 the National Soybeen Processors Association changed their name to the National Oilseed Processors Association. Yes, "NOPA." Their NOPA represents "oilseed crushers of canola, flaxseed, safflower, soybeans and sunflower." At least they're HEALTHY oils!

Their hot issues: international trade, domestic farm policy, the importance of the livestock industry to the oilseed sector, biotechnology, renewable fuels, regulatory and environmental policy. Our issues are a big more down-home, but we like their biotech, renewable fuels, and enviro focus.

Should we propose "sister organization" links? Their NOPA has an office in DC with all their member plant facilities in the solid Midwest and South.

But wait, there's one more: NOPA, National Office Products Alliance. Stop right there. Let's take the San Francisco fall-back position: we really are a world of our own.

Tomorrow we're back to our mission: bicycling and livability issues in NOPA. We couldn't help but stray a bit on the weekend.

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