In September 2023, PACK EXPO Las Vegas played host to a special awards ceremony, where ProFood World, a rapidly expanding media brand in the food and beverage processing sector, honored the winners of its renowned Manufacturing Innovation Awards. The spotlight is on MyForest Foods, Prestage Foods, and SunOpta for their outstanding contributions in food and beverage processing and packaging projects, which comprise plant renovations, expansions, and upgrades.
Leading the pack, MyForest Foods has been recognized for its transformative Swersey Silos vertical farm and production establishment situated in Green Island, NY. By incorporating a solid-state fermentation process, the company has redefined mycelium production. This pioneering methodology facilitates the growth of mycelium directly on sizable 100 x 3 ft beds, paving the way for plant-based meat alternatives like MyBacon, eliminating the necessity for extrusion and other lengthy processes.
Meanwhile, Prestage Foods of South Carolina, an offshoot of the family-run Prestage Farms, also claims a Manufacturing Innovation Award. Their new state-of-the-art 295,000-square-foot greenfield plant in Camden, SC emerges as a modern turkey processing hub. Remarkably, it’s home to the sole scaled European-style air-chill turkey processing technique in the Western Hemisphere, which stands as a notable enhancement over the conventional water-chill processing. The plant is equipped with automated systems and incorporates advanced food safety and traceability measures.
The award list also includes SunOpta for its cutting-edge greenfield facility in Midlothian, Texas. Serving as an aseptic manufacturing base, it churns out a diverse range of products like ready-to-drink teas, plant-based milks, and single-serve protein shakes. Remarkably, co-manufacturing constitutes almost 90% of its output. Facing the supply chain disturbances instigated by the COVID-19 outbreak, SunOpta employed inventive strategies to meet its ambitious full production targets.
Sharing his enthusiasm, Aaron Hand, ProFood World’s Editor-in-Chief, remarked, “This year’s awardees bring forth a myriad of perspectives on enhancing the safety, productivity, and sustainability of the food processing domain.” Attendees at PACK EXPO Las Vegas are set to be enlightened by these winners as they delve into their distinctive journeys and revelations.
Weighing in on the awards’ importance, ProFood World’s Publisher, Patrick Young, noted, “The Manufacturing Innovation Awards are a testament to the remarkable innovation and commitment of the awardees and serve as a beacon of inspiration for the entire food and beverage sector. We’re privileged to celebrate these trailblazing companies and eagerly await their future accomplishments.”
For a deeper dive into PACK EXPO Las Vegas, The Processing Zone, and ProFood World’s Manufacturing Innovation Awards, navigate to their official websites.
ProFood World stands as the go-to media brand for food and beverage processors, addressing key aspects such as food safety, automation, packaging, processing, material handling, and sustainability. It caters to a wide array of professionals in varied food manufacturing domains including bakery products, meat, seafood, fresh and frozen items, grains, nuts, ready-to-eat meals, dairy, and beverages.
