During an award ceremony in Rosemont on September 30, Windsor Foods won top honors and was named U.S. Foodservice’s 2009 Vendor of the Year out of more than 700 vendors. “It is a real pleasure to recognize Windsor Foods and the 11 other great suppliers who in 2009 have shown U.S. Foodservice and our customers extraordinary support. Our recognition program honors exceptional suppliers who help U.S. Foodservice and our customers prosper in all aspects of our business,” said Pat Mulhern, president, Monarch Food Group.
Vendors were evaluated by 60 U.S. Foodservice divisions and the Monarch Food Group support office on 10 criteria: food safety, product quality, sales growth in the independent sector, gross margin improvement, merchandising support, divisional sales support, logistics, national account support, USF-exclusive brands and business friendliness.
“These prestigious awards recognize the best vendors in the food industry,” said Bob Aiken, Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Foodservice. “We’re proud to honor our vendors for their invaluable contributions to the success of our customers and our company.”
Six companies were recognized for their superior performance in thefollowing product categories:
- Center of the Plate – Icelandic USA
- Disposables – Georgia Pacific
- Dry Groceries – ACH / Tone’s
- Frozen Groceries – Campbell’s Soup Company
- Produce – Reser’s Fine Foods
- Dairy – Michael Foods
The following companies also were awarded the Departmental Excellence award:
- Food Safety and Quality Assurance – Tyson Foods
- Sustainability – Trident Seafoods
- Diversity – Windsor Foods
- Logistics – Kraft Foodservice
- Exclusive Brands Partnership – Campbell’s Soup Company
- Business Friendliness – Pilgrim’s Pride
Caption: (Standing, from left) Lisa Russell, ACH Food Companies, Inc.; Dennis Bradshaw, Icelandic USA, Inc.; Ron Salzman, Resers Fine Foods; Jeff Tassert, Windsor Foods; Michael Meador, Michael Foods; Sandi Ceragno, Georgia Pacific; Steve Scales, Campbells Soup Company — (Seated, from left) Clay Williamson, Tyson Foods, Inc.; Jamie Marshall, Trident Seafoods Corp.; Dave Sordo, Kraft Foodservice; Ginger Lowe-Smith, Windsor Foods; Bob Benson, Campbells Soup Company; Tom Bell, Pilgrims Pride.
Photo source: PRNewsFoto/U.S. Foodservice
Press release source: U.S. Foodservice Inc