The McLean, Va.-based Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA), along with its Women’s Alliance Network (WAN), announced the application period for the biennial Red Circle Awards is now open for submissions. By way of the Red Circle Honors Program, the Women’s Alliance recognizes women from the food and beverage industry in a variety of categories for their achievements, in addition to one FPSA company for its efforts in promoting workplace gender balance, FPSA said.

According to FPSA, the awards fall into the following categories:

• Rising Star — Awarded to a woman with less than five years’ experience who has made a significant impact with her professional achievements and personal influence in the food and beverage industry.
• Innovation and Inspiration — Recognizes a woman who has introduced game-changing innovations or inspiring ideas to company within the past 18 months, including new products, technology, programs, systems or processes.
• Career Excellence — The Career Excellence Red Circle honor is presented to a woman who is dedicated to the food and beverage industry and has taken a proactive approach not only to her personal and professional development but also to the development of other women in the industry.
• Achievement in Developing and Promoting Women — The Achievement in Developing and Promoting Women recognizes an FPSA member company that actively supports and develops the careers of women in their employ and works toward gender balance.

The deadline for Red Circle Honor submissions is Aug. 15; nominations may be submitted on the FPSA website (https://www.fpsa.org/wan-redcirclehonors/) via the links to each category of the program. Winners of the prestigious Red Circle Honors Program will be announced at the Women’s Alliance Breakfast on Nov. 4, FPSA said.

“The Women’s Alliance is proud to bring back the Red Circle Honors after a hugely successful inaugural round of awards in 2019,” said Kate Rome, chair of WAN and president of Rome Grinding Solutions. “This award was created to recognize the tremendous work that women are engaging in and highlight the strong impact they have in today’s food and beverage industry. With each year, we are witnessing the arrival of more women into this industry, which serves to not just grow the workforce, but also transform it with added diversity, creativity and resolve. We look forward to recognizing these star colleagues for many years to come.”

For more information about the Red Circle Honors such as past winners and how to nominate a deserving colleague or company, visit the FPSA website. To attend the Women’s Alliance Breakfast and Red Circle Awards ceremony, register online at www.myprocessexpo.com. For more information regarding FPSA and its networks, contact Elena Sierra at esierra@fpsa.org or 703-663-1220.