WENATCHEE, Wash. – Stemilt’s food safety and scheduling manager, Eva Lauve, was recognized last week by the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) with their Quality Achievement Award. Lauve, who has spent her entire 40-year career with Stemilt, was named recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, which is given to an individual who has freely shared time and expertise throughout the industry in the areas of food safety.
The awards were given out at the 2017 SQFI International Conference, held in Dallas, Texas. A letter from Stemilt president West Mathison was read aloud prior to Lauve accepting her award. The letter spoke of Lauve’s incredible service to Stemilt and the industry as a whole in the area of food safety, as well as her many accomplishments during her career.
“In the early 1990s, Eva was tasked by my grandfather, Tom Mathison, to ensure Stemilt was on the forefront of food safety,” said West Mathison. “She fully immersed herself into understanding food safety, and because of her, Stemilt has one of the longest participations in SQF and was one of the first SQF certified suppliers in North America. Eva has committed countless hours serving on volunteer food safety committees and always had an open door to consult others in the industry to make sure we are all putting forth safe, quality food. The epitome of a serving leader, we are thrilled that SQFI has selected Eva for this award.”
Lauve joined Stemilt in 1978 as a cherry sorter and worked in various jobs with the company throughout her college years. She moved into packing line supervisory roles following college graduation. In 1987, she was promoted to packed fruit QC and pre-size bin inventory supervisor. Then, in 1992, she started Stemilt’s food safety program and managed production. In the 2000s, Lauve assumed her current role as scheduling and food safety manager.
According to Robert Garfield, Chief Food Safety Assessment Officer and Senior Vice President for Food Marketing Institute, Lauve is the fifth recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. It is not an annual award, and only awarded by senior staff when they discover an individual who has dedicated themselves to enhancing food safety management.
“It’s an honor to recognize Eva Lauve of Stemilt,” said Garfield. “Like our other recipients, she has a great understanding and commitment to global food safety and the SQF program, and is constantly giving her time and energy towards helping others in all areas of food safety.”
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About Stemilt
Stemilt Growers is a leading tree fruit growing, packing and shipping company based in Wenatchee, Washington. Owned and operated by the Mathison family, Stemilt is a leading shipper of sweet cherries and organic tree fruits. Stemilt has also demonstrated a commitment to sustainable agriculture and social responsibility since 1989, when founder Tom Mathison launched the company’s Responsible Choice program. For more information about Stemilt, visitwww.stemilt.com and follow Stemilt on Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.
Source: Stemilt Growers