Dairy Foods announced the return of its Plant of the Year award. Dairy Foods will be judging this year’s program based on specific outstanding achievements outlined in the entries.

Any North American processing facility producing dairy-based foods and/or beverages is eligible to enter.

To be honored, the dairy processing facility needs to have achieved outstanding accomplishments in one or more of the following categories between June 1, 2023 and June 1, 2024:

• Plant expansion/retrofit

• New construction

• Sustainability

• Food safety

• Employee safety

• Employee training programs

• Plant efficiencies

• Coronavirus-related efforts

• New technology (automation, ERP, etc.)

• Other specified area(s) of excellence

Companies may nominate their own plant(s), or the plant(s) may be nominated by one of their suppliers or service providers. By entering, the plant and company agree to being profiled in Dairy Foods’ August 2024 issue and to participating in any necessary follow-up interviews, as well as a plant visit by an editor.

Dairy Foods’ editors will judge each plant based on the breadth of accomplishments within one or more of the above areas.

In 2022, Byrne Dairy won this coveted award, followed by Hudsonville Ice Cream in 2023.

“We are honored to receive this award from Dairy Foods,” Tina Floyd, CEO of Hudsonville, stated last year. “Our continued growth wouldn’t be possible without great advancement in our processes, large-scale application of new technologies, and above all, amazing people willing to take on the challenges that those goals present. This award is a testament to our team’s commitment to quality and innovation.”

Submissions for Dairy Foods 2024 Plant of the Year are due by June 3. To submit your application, click here.