Bunzl USA Honored With American Meat Institute 2014 Supplier of the Year Award
Atlanta, Georgia –Bunzl USA of St. Louis, Missouri, was named the American Meat Institute (AMI) 2014 Supplier of the Year. The announcement was made today during an awards breakfast during the International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Institute recognized Bunzl, its outstanding products and remarkable commitment to service. Bunzl Processor Division/Koch Supplies has been the leader in meat processing and packaging supplies for over 130 years. The company is a member of AMI’s Supplier Committee and exhibitor at AMI’s Animal Care & Handling Conference. In presenting the award, AMI’s Chairman Greg Benedict, chief operating officer and president of American Food Group, described the success of the company coming from Chuck Bildstein’s leadership and Bunzl’s atmosphere of excellent customer service.
In nominating Bunzl, AMI’s Animal Welfare Committee highlighted the work of Chuck Bildstein, who is widely known in the industry for his customer service and problem-solving efforts. Bildstein delivered a highly rated talk about troubleshooting and maintaining stunners at the 2013 Animal Care and Handling Conference.
Benedict detailed how Bildstein provided assistance to a small processor who was struggling with a stunning challenge. Benedict explained, “He did special research and provided technical advice at no charge simply because it was the right thing to do — not because the company stood to profit from these issues.”
“Chuck Bildstein typifies the level of service and excellence this industry has come to know and expect from Bunzl, a company that truly partners with processors in ensuring that they can achieve high standards that the industry seeks to exemplify,” explained Benedict.
Philip Jones of Jones Dairy Farm Honored With AMI’s Edward C. Jones Community Service Award
Atlanta, Georgia –The American Meat Institute (AMI) today honored Philip Jones, president of Jones Dairy Farm in Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin, with its Edward C. Jones Community Service Award. The award was created in memory of Jones’ grandfather Edward C. Jones and was presented at AMI’s International Production & Processing Expo, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Each year, the award is presented to honor a company that demonstrates an extraordinary level of commitment to the communities in which it operates. Jones has served on the boards of United Way, the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation and Fort Atkinson Beautification Development. He currently serves on the Board of the Fort Atkinson Industrial Development Committee
Jones Dairy Farm supports countless local charities, including the Rock River Heritage, Dwight Foster Public Library, the Fort Atkinson Historical Museum, Rainbow Hospice Care, local schools, police and fire departments and the local Food Pantry. The company supports the Celiac Disease Foundation to raise awareness and has certified more than 200 products Gluten-Free.
Jones’ actions are modeled throughout the company where there is a clear focus on giving back to the community. “Jones employees can be seen coaching youth programs, cooking for charity, pounding nails and helping neighbors in need,” said AMI Chairman Greg Benedict, Chief Operating Officer and President of American Foods Group.
The Jones Family has sold sausage in Ft. Atkinson since 1889 and Philip Jones represents the sixth generation involved in running the company and working to keep it “honest and real” – one of their company’s core values.
University of Wisconsin Adjunct Professor Andrew Milkowski, Ph.D, Honored with the AMI Foundation Scientific Achievement Award
Atlanta, Georgia – University of Wisconsin Adjunct Professor of Meat Science Andrew Milkowski, Ph.D., today received the American Meat Institute (AMI) Foundation Scientific Achievement Award during an awards breakfast at the International Production & Processing Expo, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Milkowski previously worked for the Oscar Mayer division for Kraft Foods where he led food safety research programs. During his tenure there, Milkowski served on AMI’s Scientific Affairs Committee. As one of the nation’s leading experts on nitrite functionality and safety, Milkowksi was tapped to chair AMI’s Nitrite Task Force in the late 1990s. Milkowski and the task force helped advance scientific knowledge about nitrite’s safety and benefits, efforts that contributed to the National Toxicology Program’s (NTP) seminal conclusion that nitrite is not a carcinogen at the levels used.
Milkowski served on the Foundation’s Research Advisory Committee since 1999 and was the Director of Health and Wellness at AMI for three years. He also helped lead efforts to prevent and ultimately eliminate Listeria monocytogenes on ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.
In presenting the award, AMI Chairman Greg Benedict, Chief Operating Officer and President of American Foods Group, said, “Dr. Milkowski is truly one of the nation’s brightest scientific lights in food safety and meat science. His contributions are numerous and make him the very deserving winner of the of the 2014 AMI Foundation Scientific Achievement Award.”
Dr. Milkowski earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1976 from the University of Wisconsin and his BBS from the University of Illinois. Milkowski serves on the Executive Board of the Food Research Institute.
Source: American Meat Institute
