by LeAnn Chuboff, Vice President, Technical Affairs
Brag Alert! I was so thrilled to see two SQF Certified organizations showcased in this wonderful partnership story. The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank has partnered with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and Daisy Brand to help use the surplus milk from area farmers, providing those in need with food while preventing waste. With COVID-19 disruptions Ohio dairy farmers have said they’ve suffered and have had to dump milk. The partnership between the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, DFA, and Daisy, has resulted in a plan to convert the surplus milk into cottage cheese. What a fantastic, creative partnership!
In 2009, DFA implemented the Safe Quality Foods (SQF) initiative in all of its plants in the United States. The DFA investment in the program certifies that a supplier’s food is created, prepared, and handled according to the highest possible standards throughout the supply chain. Plants that undergo the SQF certification process have documented proof that food safety protocols are in place within their facilities. SQF audits include an evaluation of a plant’s facilities, checking for potential food safety issues, and the plant’s policies and procedures, all the way down to employee compliance. Daisy Brand is SQF certified and has participated well in planning for the SQF Conference and other areas.
The upcoming transition to SQF Code Edition 10 is a big milestone, and with updated requirements launching in April 2026, now is the perfect time to start preparing.
Today’s SQF Practitioners need to be analysts, trainers, communicators, leaders, and lifelong learners. Shawnil Guiles-Pelcastre fully embodies that multifaceted role.
Qiang Zheng is the food safety and quality assurance manager at Melville Candy Company. He was an early adopter of the Certified SQF Practitioner credential when it launched late in 2024.