Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) recently recognized six recipients of its 2011 Quality Achievement Award, a demonstration of superior dedication and support to help endorse and improve the SQFI program around the globe.
Primary Producer of the Year – Lerinda Farms Pty Ltd
Since, working with SQF during its start in 1999, Lerinda Farms of Queensland Australia has stressed the importance of focusing on controlling food quality and safety even at the field packing level. Over a decade and many hurdles later, Lerinda Farms now carries a Level 3 excellent rating.
Manufacturer of the Year
Dairy Farmers of America – Fort Morgan Facility
The first of the two manufacturers of the year awards goes to Dairy Farmers of America-Fort Morgan Facility, a farmer owned company. The facility stresses the importance of the providing safe food for their consumers and understands that food quality and safety is driven by their employees, who are all involved in the support of their internal SQF program.
ConAgra Foods
The second manufacturer award goes to ConAgra Foods in Omaha, Nebraska. With over 24,000 employees and 40 plants certified by the SQFI program since 2008, it’s one of the earliest US companies to adopt the program. From CEO down, food safety culture is embraced throughout the entire organization.
Training Center of the Year – H-E-B University, Center for Manufacturing Excellence
H-E-B UNIVERSITY, Center of Manufacturing Excellence was established in 2008 for the purpose of offering a value-added licensed SQF course for sharing our approach to compliance with our industry and our company. The University also currently offers HACCP, Advanced HACCP and QA Fundamentals courses to both their Partners and suppliers. They have trained over 580 students since they opened their doors.
Certification Body of the Year – Eagle Registrations Inc.
Eagle Registrations Inc. has been providing value-added third-party registration and assessment services since 1994 and continues since joining SQF in 2009. In addition to their expertise in the assessment process, they take pride in their employees’ vast experiences which they use to strengthen businesses in their strategic processes and bottom line.
Outstanding Achievement Award
Mrs. Rena Pierami, division vice president, Silliker Global Certification Services Pty. Ltd. was honored due to her superior dedication and support to endorse and improve the SQFI program around the globe. Her knowledge of the auditing process cannot be understated. Since her involvement in 2006, she has earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues and continues to encourage technical and auditing team members to excel at every part of the process.
Read the FMI/SQFI press release here.