Press Releases

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release 

Food Processing Companies Honoured by the BC Food Processors Association

Abbotsford, B.C., June 11, 2012. Gizella’s Pastry received the BC Food Processors Hall of Fame Award at the FoodProWest 2012 Awards Gala on Tuesday, June 5th, 2012. Maheb Nathoo of Earth’s Own Food Company received the Leadership Award and Fresh Direct Produce received the BCFPA Member of the Year Award, whilst the Rising Star Award went to Charles Chang of Vega, and the Innovation Award to Rick Gibbs of Neutron Factory Works,. Freybe Gourmet Foods was awarded the Sustainability Award. One new award was added this year:  the Product of the Year Award was jointly won by Daiya Foods’ non-dairy cheese, and Garden Protein’s Teriyaki Chick’n.

Hall of Fame Award: The Hall of Fame Award recognizes a BC company that has been in the business for 25 or more years and shows a commitment to prosperity and environmental stability. Gizella’s Pastry joins Vanderpol Food Group, Avalon Dairy Ltd., Purdy’s Chocolates and Freybe Gourmet Foods in the BC Food Processor’s Hall of Fame.

Other finalists for the Award were:

• 7 Seas
• Nature’s Path

This Hall of Fame Award was sponsored by KPMG.

Leadership Award: The Leadership Award recognizes an Industry leader that provides business leadership and inspiration; makes a positive contribution to the community, practices mentorship, environmental sustainability and is a role model. Maheb Nathoo of Earth’s Own Food Company

Other finalists for the Award were:

• Brian Tieszen, Sun Rich Fresh Foods
• George Paleologou, Premium Brands

The Leadership Award was sponsored by Reliance Insurance Services.

Member of the Year Award: The Member of the Year Award recognizes a BCFPA Member (processor or associate) that has demonstrated a high engagement level in BCFPA activities and made a contribution to industry efforts. Fresh Direct Produce excelled by supporting the BCFPA on many fronts and is also always ready to support industry and association.

Other finalists for the Member of the Year Award were:

• Golden Boy foods
• Neutron Factory Works

The Member of the Year Award was sponsored by the BC Food Processors Association.

Rising Star Award: The Rising Star Award celebrates a processor who has demonstrated innovation, shown leadership in industry and the community. Charles Chang of Vega  

Other finalists for the Rising Star Award were:

• Warren Brander, DermaWise Skin Care
• John MacKenzie, Anita’s Organic

The Rising Star Award was sponsored by MNP LLP.

Innovation Award: The Innovation Award recognizes a processor which has demonstrated innovation in any aspect of the company (e.g. processes, technology, ingredients, human resources, culture, engagement, sales and marketing, product development, health and safety, research and development).

Rick Gibbs of Neutron Factory Works

Other finalists for the Innovation Award were:

• Charles Chang, Vega
• Olaf Vinge, Freybe Gourmet Foods

The Innovation Award was sponsored by Grant Thornton.

Sustainability Award: The Sustainability Award recognizes a processor which has demonstrated energy conservation and sustainability in their operations. Freybe Gourmet Foods  

Other finalists for the Energy/ Sustainability Award were:

• Gourmet Baker
• Paradise Island Foods

The Sustainability Award was sponsored by BC Hydro.

Product of the Year Award: The Product of the Year Award recognizes a product that shows innovation; criteria includes taste (if applicable), product packaging, marketing, innovation, and environmental impact. Daiya Foods Non-Dairy Cheese, and Garden Proteins Teriyaki Chick’n shared the honour of winning this award  

The other finalist for the Product of the Year Award was:

• Nature’s Path, Love Crunch

It was a very close decision, so the judging panel decided to award Honourable Mentions to:

• Hapi Foods Group Inc, Holy Crap Cereal
• Indian Life, Soft Roti
• Olivieri Pasta
• Silverhills, Sprouted Bakery
• Vij’s Fine Indian Cuisine, Chicken Curry

The Product of the Year Award was sponsored by Farm Credit Canada.

The awards were presented at FoodProWest, the premier annual gathering of BC food processors.

The event included a Professional Development Day, then the Awards Gala, followed by the Main event on the next day. During the event, attendees networked and browsed the trade show with over 20 exhibitors.

During the Awards Gala, Keynote Speaker, Peter Higgins of Purdy’s Chocolates spoke on “The Purdy’s Story”. During the Main Event Doug Grant of The Oppenheimer Group shared “The Oppenheimer Story”; and Julie Dickson-Olmstead of Overwaitea Food Group spoke on the conferences topic “Staying Competitive in Changing Times”.

The day concluded with a lively Industry Leaders Forum. Yves Potvin of Garden Protein, Maheb Nathoo of Earth’s Own Food Company, and Warren Brander of DermaWise Skin Care shared an insight on the topic Staying Competitive in Changing Times.

Photographs, videos and more will be posted: http://bcfpa.ca/FoodProWest2012.

“We are delighted with the fabulous work of all nominees, finalists and recipients of our awards”, said Dave Eto, BCFPA President and Chair of the Board. “They all are worthy and totally inspirational.

We are delighted that we could honour them in this way.”

“This is the fourth year of FoodProWest,” added Nico Human, BCFPA CEO. “We are very happy to see the event continue to grow. It is also a fundraiser: Proceeds of the event are used to leverage funding for industry projects that will benefit the entire industry. The event therefore not only celebrates the industry and brings its participants together; it also raises funds for the betterment of the industry as a whole.

“We are already working on FoodProWest 2013,” Human added. “The provisional date is June 11-13,

2013. Please pencil the dates in immediately!”

The BCFPA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to represent all segments of the food, beverage and nutraceutical processing industry, and to coordinate common industry activities and resources under one umbrella. The Association represents micro, small, medium, and large processing companies. 

For more information, including photographs of the officers, contact:

Adam Ford, BCFPA, 35707 Sunridge Place, Abbotsford, BC, V3G 1E5. Tel 604-504-4409  Fax 604-746-4409. adam@bcfpa.ca