We applaud your dedication to continuous environmental improvement, commitment to improving your communities and food security and establishing sound safety and health programs at your plants.

The Meat Institute's annual award applications for 2024 are now closed! Please click here to learn more about each award, including eligibility requirements, criteria, and more. 

Bob Evans Farms has rich history of philanthropy. See how their Hearts & Hands program delivers on five core pillars of giving: Community, Education, Food & Nutrition, Health & Wellness, and Military.

We recognize Marcus Technologies for using innovation to minimize food waste and build a more sustainable future by finding the best possible use for all available protein globally. 

See how SugarCreek improves their employees' relationship with food and body wellness.

Omaha Steaks was a 2024 Meat Institute Health & Wellness Award winner for their commitment to Community Wellness. In 2024, they donated over 53,000 pounds of food products, equating to over 44,000 meals, to food network partners nationwide. Locally, they mobilized team members to provide hot meals to 1,500 people affected by a tornado and volunteered at the Food Bank for the Heartland. Omaha Steaks also provides quarterly product donations to their local food bank, reaching over 500 network partners.

Bob Evans Farms was recognized with a 2024 Honorable Mention in the Meat Institute's Health & Wellness Awards for their commitment to Community Wellness. They donated $20,000 worth of product to the Northern Illinois Food Bank and partnered with Jewel Osco for community distribution. Additionally, Bob Evans Farms supported the Children's Hunger Alliance and adopted schools to provide meals for children facing food insecurity, demonstrating a holistic approach to addressing hunger and its root causes. Their employees also volunteered at food banks in Ohio and Arkansas.

Marcus Food Company was recognized as a 2024 winner of the Meat Institute's Health and Wellness Award for Community Wellness due to their significant efforts in redirecting protein away from landfills and towards communities in need. Since 2018, they have rerouted nearly 50 million pounds of protein, and almost 4 million pounds have been given to food banks and discount retailers, ensuring families have access to essential nutrition. Additionally, Marcus donates over $15,000 monthly to cover the cost of protein and shipping for food banks, demonstrating their commitment to moving communities forward.

SugarCreek's corporate wellness efforts resulted in a 42% reduction in anxiety/depression symptoms and improved employee retention. In Nutrition Science, they provided education and distributed fresh produce through monthly events, specifically addressing food insecurity in a local area. SugarCreek also increased their budget to help associates take fresh produce home. 

Triumph Foods earned a 2024 Honorable Mention from the Meat Institute for their significant contributions to Community Wellness. Their initiatives included a partnership with Missouri Western State University to develop a skilled trades education program. Furthermore, Triumph Foods demonstrated a strong commitment to combating food insecurity by donating over 155,000 pounds of premium pork to local nonprofits. Their impactful donations and volunteer efforts also garnered them the 2024 Outstanding Business Award from Second Harvest Community Food Bank.

FPL Food received a 2024 Honorable Mention in the Meat Institute's Health & Wellness Awards for their Community Wellness initiatives. They partnered with the Augusta Mayor's Office to distribute 78,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties to residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. Additionally, FPL Food sponsored the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta, demonstrating their commitment to supporting families with critically ill or injured children.

Smithfield | Crete, NE, won the 2024 Meat Institute Environmental Achievement Award for Technological Innovation. Their implemented program eliminates OSHA requirements for a PSM program for Chlorine. This change also reduces labor by removing the need for a minimum of two employees to change a chlorine cylinder, ultimately increasing the safety of employees, the environment, and the community.

JBS Foods Canada was the 2024 Meat Institute Environmental Achievement Award winner for Energy Conservation. Their anaerobic lagoon system, commissioned in 2020 and operational in 2021, significantly reduced CO2 emissions by capturing and flaring methane. This resulted in a 98% decrease in emissions, from 102,151 metric tons to 1,698 metric tons in 2023, greatly contributing to climate change mitigation. The upgraded system includes a 30 million gallon lined anaerobic lagoon with biogas cover and collection, influent and discharge piping with metering, and a biogas blower system.

Pilgrim's Pride Mexico | Los Cues Plant in Santiago de Querétaro was the 2024 winner of the Meat Institute's Environmental Achievement Award in Energy Conservation for their Circular Economy Project - Integrated Energy System. This initiative achieved a 4,000 tCO2 reduction per year and resulted in savings of $245,800 USD annually through natural gas replacement and thermal energy recovery. Additionally, the project focused on reducing odors and eliminating unsightly steam plumes. By valorizing their byproducts, Pilgrim's Pride Mexico closed the cycle of their entire process, significantly increasing their energy efficiency.

Fresh Mark was the 2024 Meat Institute Environmental Achievement Award winner for Technological Innovation. Their cost-effective utility management solution streamlines data tracking and greenhouse gas reporting. By automating invoice processing and consolidating utility information, this tool has significantly improved operational efficiency and enhanced their ability to monitor energy use for sustainability opportunities.

Tyson Foods, Inc. - Pine Bluff Processing Plant won the 2024 Meat Institute Environmental Achievement Award for Technological Innovation. Their SAF (Saturated Air Flotation) system improved DAF (Dissolved Air Flotation) unit efficiency and reduced downtime by preventing clogging. This technology also led to a significant 45% decrease in surcharge rates.

Smithfield Foods, Carroll, Iowa, received the 2024 Meat Institute Environmental Achievement Award for Packaging and/or Food Waste Reduction. They increased cardboard recycling by 3-5% in 2024, saving energy and reducing landfill waste. To improve operational efficiency, they implemented a Spanish-translated compactor operator inspection form and enhanced employee training on recycling and universal waste during new hire orientation.

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp., Kinston NC Facility, won the 2024 Meat Institute Environmental Achievement Award for Water Conservation. Their main goal was to reduce water usage in their condensing towers, which average 24 million gallons per year. By installing cisterns to capture and reuse water, they have already saved 34,054 gallons, and they plan to expand this system to collect even more water in the future.