NAMSC & IMSI

The North American Maple Syrup Council was established in 1959 to represent the maple syrup industry. Official membership is the sixteen commercial maple syrup producing states and provinces within the U.S. and Canada.

The board of directors, which governs the Council, is comprised of one Delegate (or Alternate Delegate) from each state and province. Delegates are appointed annually and are empowered to conduct the affairs of the Council. Each member state or province is entitled to one vote.

Other membership categories include Life Members and Associate Members. These members may or may not be maple syrup producers. The Associate members are comprised of affiliated industry groups, industry-related businesses and individuals. The officers, delegates or alternate delegates of the NAMSC are unpaid volunteers.

In accordance with Article II of the Council’s Constitution and By-laws the Council’s stated purpose is to:

• Promote the best interests of all maple syrup producers.
• Establish standards and integrate industry standards of maple syrup and its derived products.
• Facilitate research in the chemistry and technology of maple sap and syrup and their derived products; improve syrup processing methods, equipment and labor requirements; improve packaging methods.
• Promote research in maple orchard management to: improve tree stands and yields of sap per tap hole and per acre; improve tree species and methods for propagation; develop methods for controlling insects and diseases damaging to maple trees.
• To promote research to expand the markets for maple products.
• Create a unified effort among the various groups represented on the Council.
• Cooperate at all times with other organizations promoting the maple syrup industry.

The Council publishes The Maple Syrup Digest and manages the NAMSC Research Fund and meets each October for an annual meeting. This three-plus day event is held in a different state or province each year and is hosted by the member maple association. The host is responsible to arrange the facility, tours, banquet, meals, and other activities. Educational presentations and research reports are an important component of the annual meeting, in addition to an extensive trade show of maple industry suppliers.

The International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI), a companion organization to the North American Maple Syrup Council, holds its annual meeting at the same time and location as the Council.

The IMSI was established as an Institute in 1975 and has a very interesting history. At the time, it was recognized by maple industry leaders in both the United States and Canada that those involved in the maple industry needed to group together in order to ensure that the industry would remain prosperous and thrive in the long-term and to deal effectively with market related issues. To accomplish this, it was necessary to create an organization comprised of the different maple syrup industry stakeholders, including maple syrup producers, maple packers, maple equipment manufacturers and others to facilitate communication and develop collaborative strategies to deal with marketing and other challenges which may face the industry from time to time. A more complete write-up on the IMSI’s history is included in the pdf file by clicking HERE.

The International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI) was founded in 1975 to promote and protect pure maple syrup and other pure maple products. Its mission remains unchanged today:The organization provides an important international framework for communication, information exchange and cooperation on a variety of issues related to the production, sale and marketing of pure maple syrup. In addition, the Institute has been a strong monitor for adulteration around the world, protecting the integrity of maple products.

The IMSI is a non-profit organization funded by membership dues as well as occasional grants and voluntary contributions. Its board is made up of Directors representing all facets of the maple industry, including state and province associations, individual producers, researchers, equipment manufacturers and distributors and other maple industry stakeholders. The Board of Directors meets quarterly, typically trading off between the U.S. and Canada, to manage the affairs of the Institute. Annual meetings are held in cooperation with the North American Maple Syrup Council (NAMCSC) in a host state or province. These meetings help the executive, directors and volunteer committees stay abreast of issues, maintain momentum behind project initiatives such as the current standard international maple grades and  maple nutrition initiatives, as well as  communicate accomplishments and progress to members.

Mission

• To protect the integrity of pure maple syrup;
• To encourage more industry cooperation; and,
• To improve communication within the international maple syrup industry.

Objectives

• To provide an international forum for communication among maple stakeholders, including maple producers, maple packers, maple equipment manufacturers and others;
• To foster and advance the interests of maple syrup industry stakeholders who are affected by the production, packing and sale of pure maple syrup;
• To promote legislation, policy and programs at all levels which will benefit maple syrup industry stakeholders and to oppose legislation, policy and programs seen as harmful to the industry;
• To help bring about greater uniformity in the customs of those engaged in the maple syrup industry, including grading and nomenclature for pure maple syrup;
• To  be an advocate for scientific research and innovation seen as beneficial to the maple syrup industry; and,
• To raise public awareness regarding the unique characteristics of pure maple syrup, including nutritional and health benefits.

Priority Activities

• Help safeguard the international maple syrup industry from adulteration through monitoring and testing;
• Serve as a watchdog regarding any product quality concerns which have the potential to tarnish the reputation of the international maple syrup industry;
• Lead implementation of standardized international maple grades and nomenclature;
• Maintain and enhance communications among maple industry stakeholders;
• Help promote the nutritional and health benefits of pure maple syrup; and,
• Deal with ongoing issues of importance to the international maple industry.