Raising the Bar – News & Announcements
Keep up-to-date on the latest news for the Raising the Bar Sustainability Project
Nov 9 2010
GFTC recognizes sustainability excellence in food and beverage processing facilities
Events / Press Release - 1 year ago - BLOOM & GFTC
BRAMPTON, ONTARIO (November 9, 2010) Guelph Food Technology Centre held a gala event last week to celebrate leadership in sustainability amongst food and beverage processing facilities. Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co. of Picton, Ontario took home the highest honours of the evening.
The event signalled the release of key findings from Phase 1 of GFTC and OCETA’s research project, “Raising the Bar for Sustainability Performance in Ontario’s Food and Beverage Processing Industry.” Facilities that participated in the study and that showed exceptional initiatives in sustainability were nominated for special recognition. At the November 4 gala event, industry frontrunners in various categories received recognition for their leadership. Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co., a small facility in Picton, Ontario, won the recognition plaque for the most prestigious overall category, Corporate Social Responsibility.
Cher Mereweather, director of GFTC’s sustainability consulting business unit, says what makes the win so impressive is that a small facility has been able to excel at incorporating sustainability.
“With fewer than 20 employees, Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co. demonstrated that corporate social responsibility can be done well at any size,” says Mereweather.
Other facilities that were nominated in this category were announced for the first time at the gala: Kraft Canada Inc. in Scarborough, Ontario; Hiram Walker and Sons Ltd. in Windsor, Ontario; and Cargill Value Added Meats – Foodservice Canada in London, Ontario.
Other categories and winners were:
• Energy Management: Heinz Canada, Leamington, Ontario
• Water Management: No winner was selected; however, recognition was given to all nominees for their excellence
• Waste Management: McCormick Canada, London, Ontario
• Environmental Sustainability: Cargill Value Added Meats – Foodservice Canada, London, Ontario
• Community Contribution and Employee Engagement: Kraft Canada Inc., Scarborough Ontario
• Strategic Leadership: Frito Lay Canada, New Minas, Nova Scotia
Mereweather is pleased at the industry’s willingness to share sustainability experiences and their enthusiasm in celebrating successes.
“The fact that so many companies agreed to be part of the project and attended the gala shows how much the understanding of the business case for sustainability has grown in food and beverage processing,” says Mereweather. “Our industry is really getting behind the global drive for sustainability and realizes that it not only makes business sense, but it’s the right thing to do.”
Maria Klimas, senior project manager with GFTC’s sustainability consulting business unit presented key findings from Phase 1 of the “Raising the Bar for Sustainability Performance in Ontario’s Food and Beverage Processing Industry” project. Klimas proposed a framework to help food and beverage processors integrate sustainability into their operations. The framework will be piloted in the industry throughout 2011 and is expected to be available to the rest of the industry in 2012.
The keynote speaker for the evening was Dr. John Izzo, a business consultant and author of best-selling business books Awakening Corporate Soul and Values Shift: Recruiting, Retaining and Engaging the Multigenerational Workforce. Izzo encouraged attendees to have a bold vision for their facility or company and highlighted the importance of senior buy-in throughout the sustainability journey. He offered practical advice for focused, disciplined commitment to sustainability, such as creating placeholders to discuss sustainability in every meeting and reporting regularly on progress.
Another highlight of the evening was a silent auction that raised $3,155 for Second Harvest (www.secondharvest.ca), a Toronto-based perishable food recovery organization. That amount will help deliver approximately 6,310 meals across the greater Toronto area.
GFTC is a world leader in food industry solutions, helping companies along the entire food value chain compete globally by strengthening the very foundations of their business: their products, processes and people. Each year, GFTC assists more than 1,500 companies, providing confidential services in food safety and quality consulting and auditing, training, product development, packaging, labeling and sustainability. For more information, visit www.gftc.ca.
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Photos by Martin Schwalbe.
Cher Mereweather, director of GFTC sustainability consulting, shares the business case for sustainability
Business consultant and author Dr. John Izzo was the keynote speaker at the gala
Petra Cooper, president, Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co. accepts Corporate Social Responsibility recognition from presenter Lloyd Hipel, project manager, Enviro-Stewards
Sep 24 2010
Announcing the Nominees: Facility Leadership in Sustainability
Events - 1 year ago - BLOOM & GFTC
At GFTC’s upcoming gala and networking event – Raising the Bar: Recognition of Excellence in Sustainability – food and beverage processing companies will be recognized for their leadership, corporate responsibility and vision for sustainability.
Throughout the gala evening, a winner in each category will be announced and presented with a recognition plaque. The Raising the Bar project team is pleased to announce the nominees in each category:
Energy Management
• Canada Bread Company Limited; Brampton, Ontario
• Abelei Flavors; North Aurora, Illinois
• Cargill Meats Canada; London, Ontario
• Heinz Canada Ltd; Leamington, Ontario
• Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company; Picton, Ontario
Water Management
• Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company; Picton, Ontario
• Kraft Canada Inc.; Scarborough, Ontario
• Cargill Meats Canada; London, Ontario
• Nestle Canada Inc.; North York, Ontario
• Quaker Oats; Peterborough, Ontario
Waste Management
• Canada Bread Company Limited; Brampton, Ontario
• Kraft Canada Inc; Scarborough, Ontario
• Frito Lay Canada; New Minas, Nova Scotia
• McCormick Canada; London, Ontario
• Abelei Flavors; North Aurora, Illinois
Strategic Leadership
• Gay Lea Foods Cooperative Limited; Mississauga, Ontario
• Frito Lay Canada; New Minas, Nova Scotia
• Kerry Canada Inc; Woodstock, Ontario
• Bright Cheese House; Woodstock, Ontario
Employee Engagement and Community Contribution
• Kraft Canada Inc; Scarborough, Ontario
• Hiram Walker and Sons Ltd; Windsor, Ontario
• Cargill Meats Canada; London, Ontario
• Gay Lea Foods Cooperative Limited;
Mississauga, Ontario
• Kerry Canada Inc; Woodstock, Ontario
• Campbell’s Company of Canada; Toronto, Ontario
• Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership; Lockeport, Nova Scotia
Environmental Sustainability
• Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company; Picton, Ontario
• Cargill Meats Canada; London, Ontario
• Heinz Canada Ltd; Leamington, Ontario
• Nestle Canada Inc.; North York, Ontario
Corporate Social Responsibility
– nominees to be announced at the gala
Each of the nominees has participated in the project: “Raising the Bar for Sustainability Performance in Ontario’s Food and Beverage Processing Industry.” At the gala event, key findings from Phase 1 and a preview of Phase 2 will be presented.
In addition to the recognition for leading food and beverage processors in sustainability, the gala event will feature a cocktail reception and keynote speaker, Dr. John Izzo, who will discuss how organizations can benefit from creating a culture of sustainability in his presentation, “Beyond Buzzwords to Action.”
The most forward-thinking, innovative food and beverage companies will be in attendance at this premiere sustainability event.
For more information or to register, go to www.gftc.ca.
For more information on the Raising the Bar project, visit www.raisethesustainabilitybar.ca.
Jun 25 2010
GFTC Presents Canada’s Premiere Sustainability Event
Uncategorized - 1 year ago - BLOOM & GFTC
The brochure and agenda are now available for Canada’s premiere sustainability event to be held November 4, 2010 in Brampton, Ontario.
Join Guelph Food Technology Centre (GFTC), the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA) and Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC) as we recognize forward-thinking companies that have shown leadership, corporate responsibility and a vision for sustainability. The banquet and gala evening will feature a keynote address by bestselling author and corporate visionary Dr. John Izzo.
The “Raising the Bar” Gala Event is a critical milestone in the multi-year, multi-phased “Raising the Bar for Sustainability Performance in Ontario’s Food and Beverage Processing Industry” project. The goal of this project is to motivate small and medium-sized companies in the food and beverage processing industry to integrate sustainability into their business planning and operations and, ultimately, to reduce the environmental footprint and increase the competitiveness of our industry. Click here for more information on Raising the Bar.
Formal recognition will be given to companies in the following areas:
• Strategic Leadership
• Environmental Sustainability
• Energy Management
• Water Management
• Waste Management
• Community Contribution and Employee Engagement
• Corporate Social Responsibility
Click here to access a brochure for this exciting event or, to register, visit the GFTC website special events page at: Raising the Bar Gala.
Ontario registrants are eligible for the 50% OMAFRA Sustainability discount.
For more information, contact Denise Horseman at dhorseman@gftc.ca or call 519-821-1246 ext. 5068.
Jun 3 2010
Sustainability gala event features bestselling author Dr. John Izzo
Events - 1 year ago - BLOOM & GFTC
GFTC is pleased to announce that bestselling author and business visionary Dr. John Izzo will be the keynote speaker at the November 4 gala, Raising the Bar: Recognition of Excellence in Sustainability. The event will celebrate sustainability excellence in the food and beverage processing industry with a banquet and gala evening. It will be held in Brampton, Ontario at the Pearson Convention Centre.
Dr. Izzo is one of North America’s most sought-after voices on creating great workplaces where passion and excellence lead to sustainable success. He is also the author of over 500 articles and three professional development books including the international bestseller, Awakening Corporate Soul.
He has traveled around the world researching, advising and speaking on issues related to workforce trends, positive corporate cultures, professional work-life balance, creating change and connecting with like-minded leaders. His research and opinions have been featured in various media, including Fast Company, CNN, Canada AM, CBC Radio, ABC World News, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post as well as the Globe and Mail.
In addition to Dr. Izzo’s presentation, the line-up for Raising the Bar: Recognition of Excellence in Sustainability includes an overview of the key findings from Phase 1 of the “Raising the Bar for Sustainability Performance in Ontario’s Food and Beverage Processing Industry” project. As well, companies who have shown leadership, corporate responsibility and a vision for sustainability will be recognized throughout the evening. The most forward-thinking, innovative food and beverage companies will be in attendance at this premiere sustainability event.
Find out more about this exciting project at: http://www.raisethesustainabilitybar.ca
For more information, contact Denise Horseman at dhorseman@gftc.ca or call 519-821-1246 ext. 5068. To register, visit the GFTC website special events page at: Raising the Bar Gala. Ontario registrants are eligible for the 50% OMAFRA Sustainability discount.
Raising the Bar Partners and Sponsors:
Food and Beverage Industry Innovation Fund (FBIIF)
Raising the Bar Project Initiative Developed By:
Apr 29 2010
Food processing companies will be recognized for their sustainability initiatives November 4, 2010 at Pearson Convention Centre, Brampton
Events - 1 year ago - BLOOM & GFTC
Mark your calendars for Canada’s premiere sustainability event for the food and beverage processing industry. On November 4, 2010, companies from across Canada will gather to recognize excellence in sustainability with a banquet and gala evening, Raising the Bar: Recognition of Excellence in Food and Beverage Sustainability.
Forward-thinking companies who have shown leadership, corporate responsibility and a vision for profitability through efficiency will be at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton, Ontario for this recognition and gala event.
Raising the Bar is a project that will increase understanding of current sustainability initiatives in Ontario’s food and beverage processing industry and is creating a knowledge base for companies to build sustainability into their operations. Companies across North America have participated in the study and those that have shown the greatest vision and ingenuity in sustainability will be recognized on November 4th at the gala. Key learnings from the Raising the Bar project and a keynote address will also be part of the festivities.
Visit the new Raising the Bar for Sustainability Performance project website: http://www.raisethesustainabilitybar.ca
For more information, contact Denise Horseman at dhorseman@gftc.ca or call 519-821-1246 ext. 5068. To register, click here. Ontario registrants are eligible for the 50% OMAFRA Sustainability discount.
Raising the Bar Partners and Sponsors:
Food and Beverage Industry Innovation Fund (FBIIF)
Raising the Bar Project Initiative Developed By:
Jul 29 2009
New project to boost sustainable performance of Food and Beverage Processing Sector
Press Release - 3 years ago - BLOOM & GFTC
TORONTO, July 29, 2009 — Ontario-based food and beverage manufacturers have a new resource to support them in their efforts to improve long term sustainability, with a project announced today by Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC), Guelph Food Technology Centre (GFTC) and the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA).
The project, entitled “Raising the Bar for Sustainability Performance in Ontario’s Food and Beverage Processing Sector” will produce a sustainability framework and tools to assist the food and beverage processing sector, in particular small and medium-sized (SME) companies, with integrating environmentally sustainable business practices.
“The food and beverage sector has long been focused on environmental sustainability and there are already many examples of world-class environmental practices in place. This program will be an excellent resource and a real boost to small and mid-sized companies who may not have the resources that have enabled larger food and beverage manufacturers to improve their environmental performance,” says Derek Nighbor, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, FCPC.
The project will be implemented in several phases over three years:
- Phase 1 will benchmark the superior sustainable performance of leading global companies in the food and beverage sector and develop a comprehensive and customized “how to” framework to guide SME food and beverage processors with integrating sustainability aspects into their business operations.
- Phase 2 will involve the actual pilot testing of the framework and tools developed in Phase 1, with SME food and beverage companies in Ontario.
- Phase 3 will transfer the pilot program platform across the entire food and beverage sector in Ontario.
“This project will provide Ontario food and beverage processors with leading edge sustainability benchmarking information and the tools to assist the sector across the nation,” says Cher Brethour, Director, Sustainability Services, Guelph Food Technology Centre. “The successful completion of all three phases of this project will allow other provinces and industries to utilize the lessons learned from this project for further implementation of sustainable business practices.”
The core funding for Phase 1 of this project is supported in part through the Food and Beverage Industry Innovation Fund (FBIIF) by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs through the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors. The Agricultural Adaptation Council administers the FBIIF. The Fund has been established to encourage investment into new, innovative processes, products, and skills development.
Other organizations providing funding support and resources for the project include the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) through the Conservation Fund and the City of Toronto, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department.
“This is great news for Ontario’s food and beverage processing sector,” says Kevin Jones, President and CEO, OCETA. “This initiative is both timely and strategic as it will enable food and beverage processing companies to improve their sustainability performance and gain a competitive advantage.”
The project will result in the development of a first-ever sustainability framework and customized tools targeted to Ontario’s small and medium-sized food and beverage companies. Major products will include:
- An understanding of the current state and capacity of Ontario’s small and medium-sized food and beverage processing companies in implementing environmentally sustainable business practices.
- A sustainability performance self-assessment tool.
- A list of superior sustainability performance benchmarks (based on performance of global industry leaders).
- A sustainability implementation framework.
- The development of a Food and Beverage Industry Sustainability Leadership Program.
Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC) is the largest industry association representing Canadian-operated food, beverage and consumer product companies that make and market national and retailer brands sold through retail and foodservice outlets. The sector employs almost 300,000 Canadians in more than 6,000 facilities in all regions. Annually, the consumer products industry generates approximately $22 billion in GDP and donates an estimated $33 million in cash donations to charitable causes and over five million bags of groceries to food banks in Canada.
Guelph Food Technology Centre (GFTC) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation focused on improving the competitiveness of the food and beverage processing sector through commercialization of new technologies, sector-specific training, and consulting services in the application of innovation to new products, process improvement, food safety, and sustainability.
The Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA) is a private, not-for-profit corporation that accelerates the commercialization and market adoption of clean technologies and environmentally sustainable solutions through the provision of programming, business and technical services. Since 1999, OCETA has taken a leadership role in the delivery of industrial sustainability programs to assist SME companies with improving their environmental performance and economic competitiveness.
Contacts:
Food & Consumer Products of Canada:
Nancy Bagworth, Vice President, Communications
416-510-8024, x2226
nbagworth@fcpc.ca
www.fcpc.ca
Guelph Food Technology Centre:
Cher Brethour, Director, Sustainability Services
519-821-1246 x5062
cbrethour@gftc.ca
www.gftc.ca
Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement:
Kevin Jones, President and CEO
905-822-4133 x232
kjones@oceta.on.ca
www.oceta.on.ca
Funding Partners:
Food and Beverage Industry Innovation Fund (FBIIF)
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Food and beverage processing companies are seeking ways to meet the economic, environmental and social imperatives of sustainability. An effective strategy is essential for addressing this triple bottom line.While a greater number of companies are striving to make their operations more sustainable, many small and medium businesses lack the resources to integrate sustainability into their daily business operations. The Raising the Bar project helps to address this gap by providing companies with a "how-to" framework to implement an integrated sustainability strategy.For more information, visit the Raising the Bar project website.
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