B.C. celebrates its food processors

Burnaby, B.C. –  Food processors in B.C. were feted in June during the B.C. Food Processors Association’s (BCFPA) eighth annual conference, FoodProWest.

The BCFPA held its annual Awards Gala in Vancouver to honour food processors and colleagues.

Here’s a rundown of the awards and winners:

• The Hall of Fame Award went to Nature’s Path Foods. The award recognizes a B.C. company that has been in business for 25 years or more and shows a commitment to prosperity and environmental stability.  Past winners included Purdy’s Chocolates, Freybe Gourmet Foods, Olympic Dairy, Pacific Coast Fruit Products, Gizella’s Pastry, Vanderpol Food Group, and Avalon Dairy Ltd.

• The Leadership Award went to Jason Longden of Garden Protein International. This award recognizes an industry leader who provides business leadership and inspiration, makes a positive contribution to the community, practices mentorship, environmental sustainability and is a role model.

• The Member of the Year Award went to supplier Neutron Factory Works. The company maintains and installs equipment in processing facilities. The award recognizes a member of the BCFPA who has demonstrated a high engagement level in the association’s activities and made a contribution to industry efforts. The winner can be a processor or associate.

• The Rising Star Award went to Jillian Hull of JillyV’s. The company makes healthy and convenient food for people on the go. This award celebrates a processor who has demonstrated innovation, shown leadership in industry and the community.

• The Innovation Award went to Kaslo Sourdough Pasta. The award recognizes a food processor that has demonstrated innovation in any aspect of the company (for example, processes, technology, ingredients, human resources, culture, engagement, sales and marketing, product development, health and safety, and research and development).

• The Sustainability Award went to Fine Choice Foods. The company makes Asian foods. The award recognizes a processor that has demonstrated energy conservation and sustainability in its operations.

• The Product of the Year Award includes a Gold, Silver and Bronze award. The Gold award went to FreeYumm for its Oat and Hemp Bars. The Silver went to Left Coast Naturals for its Hippie Garden Chips. And the Bronze went to Kaslo Sourdough Pasta for its namesake noodles. Twenty-one companies competed for this award.