Bella Pak’s Appleton, Wis., plant is now USDA Organic certified by the Midwest Organic Services Association, Inc. (MOSA) to produce organic Parmesan and Romano cheeses under its Redwood Farms line. Bella Pak’s cheese comes from certified-organic farms and processing plants.
Hilmar Cheese Co. Inc. received the 2011 Outstanding Corporate Donor in Philanthropy award by The Yosemite Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in cooperation with the Modesto Rotary Club, both in Modesto, Calif., for its generosity to Emanuel Medical Center, Turlock, Calif.
Leprino Foods Co., Denver, was selected the Dairy Foods 2011 Exporter of the Year (see article in the November issue). At the annual meeting of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, Dairy Foods chief editor Jim Carper (second from left) presented the award to Leprino’s Paul Vraciu, Sue Taylor, Allison Specht and Derek Friedman.
As part of the company’s continued strategic growth initiative, Chobani plans to open a second domestic manufacturing plant that will sit on 200 acres of agricultural and industrial land.
The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., announced the winners of the 2011 MilkPEP awards. Six category winners and an overall grand prize winner were honored for their commitment to increasing fluid milk sales, promoting the benefits of drinking milk and their use of MilkPEP programs and resources to help increase awareness and sales of their dairies’ branded milk products.
Nestlé Ice Cream Factory Canada, a manufacturer of Nescafe and Nesquik, to name a few, received the 2010-11 Gold Medal IPM Partner Award for its outstanding commitment to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) partnerships.
Sargento Foods’ North Sioux City, S.D., plant became certified to the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) with an “A” rating from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), demonstrating excellence in both food safety and quality operations.
The International Dairy Foods Association, Washington, D.C., says it supports the Food and Drug Administration’s long-term strategic plan to improve effectiveness and efficiency under its Foods and Veterinary Medicine Program.
Officers and members of the board of directors for 2011-12 were sworn in at the association’s 67th annual meeting. Inductees include Bob Branham, General Mills, elected chairman-elect, and Scott Haws, Land O’Lakes, secretary. Newly elected to the board of directors are John Farmer, Global Dairy Products; and Steve Ostrander, Crystal Farms.