Start 2026 at an Advantage in the Food Industry—attend PACK EXPO East!
Tackle new projects early in the year and find packaging and processing solutions for all types of foods, all in one trip to Philadelphia.

Land O’Lakes, Hormel, Conagra, just a few of the winners of ProFood World magazine’s annual Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards

The sustainability awards ceremony will be held June 21 during ProFood Live, a new food and beverage manufacturing conference produced by ProFood World.

sustainability excellence in manufacturing awards logo
sustainability excellence in manufacturing awards logo

In June 2018, ProFood World will recognize outstanding food and beverage manufacturing projects via the sixth annual Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards competition.

Land ’O Lakes, Hormel, Conagra Brands, three division of Smithfield Foods, Snyder’s-Lance, Keystone Foods and Hiland Dairy Foods have been named the winners of the Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards conducted by ProFood World. 

The awards will be presented on June 21 during ProFood Live, a new food and beverage manufacturing conference produced by ProFood World. 

Each year, leading food and beverage manufacturing companies in North America submit detailed entries describing their best new projects and on-going company programs related to sustainability achievements. Entries are judged on environmental impact, social significance, project efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and originality or adaptive reuse of technology.

During a special extended session at ProFood Live, the following food company representatives will discuss the highlights of their award-winning projects.

The presenters in the programs category include:

1stplace: 

Wesley McGhee, Snyder’s-Lance, Wastewater Sludge Land Application

2ndplace tie:

Bill Latenser, Conagra Brands, Green Team Council Bluffs  

David West, Hormel Foods, Solid Waste Stream Optimization  

3rdplace:

Kevin Louder, Smithfield Salt Lake City, Plastic Wrap Savings

The presenters in the projects category include: 

1stplace:

Steven Sharp, Smithfield, Packaging Reduction Project   

2ndplace tie:

David Smith, Hiland Dairy Foods, Wastewater and Land Revitalization

Shaun Morris, Keystone Foods, Fresh Poultry Processing Plant Pursues Water Conservation

3rdplace tie:

Jeffrey Gains, Land O’ Lakes, Chiller Baffling Project

John Meilinger, Smithfield Packaged Foods, Meat Recovery Project

“Because we had so many outstanding projects submitted this year, the number of ties in the judging process resulted in more winners than ever in the six-year history of the Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards,” says Joyce Fassl, editor in chief of ProFood World magazine and program director for ProFood Live. “Our conference attendees are certainly looking forward to hearing more details about all of these award-winning projects on June 21.” 

ProFood Live! is a one-day conference devoted to delivering real-world solutions in the areas of manufacturing, automation and sustainability. The event gives processors, suppliers and service providers the opportunity to network, learn and collaborate on common issues facing the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

ProFood Live features an educational program for food and beverage professionals that also includes ProFood World's annual Manufacturing Innovation Awards, featuring speakers from Dairy Farmers of America, Clemens Food Group, Farmer Brothers and H-E-B Manufacturing Group. The event is for professionals in production, engineering, plant operations, sustainability, quality and procurement.

Other ProFood Live! sessions will include:

  • Addressing Today’s Crucial Challenges in Manufacturing
  • Packaging Line Optimization--presented by Rich Products  
  • The Brilliant Factory: Using Total Cost of Ownership and Factory Acceptance Tools to Manage Capital Spending--presented by H-E-B Manufacturing. 

ProFood Live! opens on June 20 with an evening reception, with the conference scheduled from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on June 21. ProFood Live! will be held at the Westin Northwest Chicago in Itasca, IL, just minutes from O’Hare airport.

Attendees should register now at www.profoodlive.com

Kick off 2026 with Fresh Ideas for Foods. Register for PACK EXPO East!
Be the first to find what’s next in food packaging and processing at PACK EXPO East. Discover advances in sustainability, see solutions from 500 exhibitors and uncover new ideas for your industry and beyond—all in one trip to Philadelphia.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE
Kick off 2026 with Fresh Ideas for Foods. Register for PACK EXPO East!
Researched List: Engineering Services Firms
Looking for engineering services? Our curated list features 100+ companies specializing in civil, process, structural, and electrical engineering. Many also offer construction, design, and architecture services. Download to access company names, markets served, key services, contact information, and more!
Download Now
Researched List: Engineering Services Firms