Hats off
Litehouse Foods’ Idaho plant achieves SQF Level 3, and other dairy processing news
Galliker Dairy, cheesemaker Steve Stettler, gelato CEO Simona Faroni receive honors for their contributions to the dairy processing industry.
Litehouse Foods employees, from left: Aleen Nader, Jay Peters, Marvin Sharp, Lee Batrack and Elizabeth Hawkins.
Employee-owned Litehouse Foods, Sandpoint, Idaho, received Safe Quality Food Level 3 certification (the highest) for its Simply Artisan Reserve manufacturing plant. Litehouse manufactures refrigerated salad dressings, cheese, dips and herbs. The Simply Artisan Reserve brand is comprised of blue, gorgonzola and feta cheeses.
The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) is recognized by retailers and foodservice providers around the world and by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), which require a rigorous, credible food safety management system.
Dairy Queen unit honors Galliker Dairy
Unified Supply Chain Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of International Dairy Queen Inc. recognized Galliker Dairy, Johnston, Pa.; Masterson Co. Inc., Milwaukee; and Reinhart Rogers, Rogers, Minn., with company awards for extraordinary service. Galliker Dairy is a three-time Dairy of the Year Award recipient. It scored high on product quality, customer service and system support. Masterson was presented the Supplier of the Year Award, and Reinhart Rogers received the Distributor of the Year Award.
Life member award to cheesemaker Steve Stettler from WCMA
Steve Stettler, a third-generation cheesemaker and a Wisconsin Master Cheese Maker, will be honored April 14 with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Life Member Award, the association’s highest honor. It will be presented during the International Cheese Technology Expo awards banquet in Milwaukee.
Stettler is president of Decatur Dairy Inc. in Brodhead, Wis., and he manages Decatur Swiss Cheese Cooperative. He holds Wisconsin Master Cheese Maker certifications in Havarti, Muenster, farmer cheese, specialty Swiss, brick cheese and Cheddar.
Dairy people in the news
Simona Faroni, co-owner of G.S. Gelato & Desserts, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., a manufacturer of Italian gelato and sorbet, received the 2016 Enterprising Women of the Year award by Enterprising Women Magazine.
Trish Lukasik joined the board of directors of Sargento Foods Inc. She is the chief customer officer and senior vice president for the PepsiCo North American Nutrition organization. Lukasik replaced Jerry Jerome, who retired from the board.
Dairy Council of California, Sacramento, added four new members to its board of directors. They are: Michael Anthony, executive director of manufacturing, Unified Grocers; Michael Benedetti, director of plant operations, Clover Stornetta Farms; John Dolan, vice president of sales, Driftwood Dairy; and Craig Vevoda, dairy plant manager, Albertsons-Safeway.
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