Champions for a Better Tomorrow Awards

ABA is recognizing member companies for the positive impacts they have on their communities, their workplace, and their planet. We want to share your story by highlighting these achievements.
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2026 Champions for a Better Tomorrow

In 2026, 48 nominees were recognized, and 6 companies were presented with awards across three categories: Community, Workplace, and Planet.

Community: Rich Products

Rich Products launched a scalable food donation program that redirects surplus, high-quality food to communities in need through strong nonprofit partnerships and a tech-enabled distribution model. The initiative has delivered 240,000 meals, reduced waste, and created both social and operational value by turning potential landfill-bound products into meaningful community support.

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Community: WorkForge

WorkForge partners with Operation Breakthrough’s high school Ignition Lab to provide free, industry-relevant training for students in workforce development programs. By improving access to technical and career-readiness education, the program helps students build skills, confidence, and pathways into manufacturing and skilled trades careers. 

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Workplace: The Bama Companies

Bama Companies’ “Bama Wellness Program” combines health assessments, personalized care plans, and comprehensive programs to help team members improve health outcomes and reduce risk factors. The program has driven measurable improvements in key health metrics and increased the number of team members moving into lower-risk health categories. 

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Workplace: Bundy Baking Solutions

Bundy Baking Solutions promotes holistic employee well-being through wellness resources, educational webinars, preventive care, mental health support, and incentive-based engagement. The program has increased participation in health screenings, improved preventive care metrics, and reduced health risks. 

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Planet: Flowers Foods

Flowers Foods implemented a real-time water metering system that uses advanced sensors and customized alerts to monitor usage, detect leaks, and improve water management across its bakeries. The program has conserved nearly 14 million gallons of water, reduced operating costs, and strengthened the company’s sustainability efforts. 

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Planet: PureField Ingredients

PureField Ingredients developed a first-of-its-kind carbon capture system integrated into wheat processing and vital wheat gluten manufacturing, capturing and storing CO₂ from fermentation to reduce emissions. This integrated model delivers a lower carbon footprint, reducing emissions by approximately 40%. 

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2026 Nominees
  • ADM Milling Company
  • Aigremont
  • AMF Bakery Systems
  • Ardent Mills
  • Aspire Bakeries
  • Aunt Millie’s Bakeries
  • Benchmark Automation
  • BakeFresh Company, LLC
  • Bakery de France
  • Bake'n Joy Foods, Inc.
  • Bimbo Bakeries USA
  • Caldic USA Inc.
  • Chabaso Bakery
  • Craftmark Bakery
  • Coperion
  • Dawn Foods
  • Europastry
  • JLS Automation
  • Klosterman Baking Company
  • Kwik Lok Corporation
  • Lallemand
  • MECATHERM
  • New Horizons Baking Company
  • ORBIS Corporation
  • Puratos
  • Schubert North America
  • The Killer Brownie Company
  • United States Bakery – Franz Bakery
  • Valley Cooperative Association
  • Vandemoortele USA 
2025 Winners

Community: 

  • Bama Companies

    Bama sponsors the Food on the Move Community Food and Resource Festival which is dedicated to combating food insecurity by providing immediate access to fresh, nutritious food while connecting individuals with vital community resources. Through a holistic, community-driven approach, the program is reshaping food access, economic empowerment, and community health.  

  • Red Star Yeast

    Red Star Yeast by LESAFFRE has partnered with So They Can to help end child hunger through projects such as supporting sustainable school farms in Kenya and Tanzania. Through employee donations and corporate sponsorship, they have worked with nine schools to grow crops that produce school meals for students.  

Workplace:

  • Klosterman Baking Company

    Klosterman Baking partnered with Gracepoint Fellowship and their volunteer team to offer educational services for associates at their Springboro bakery. Once a week after their shift, associates participate in educational sessions to grow employee engagement, communication and fellowship. 

  • Puratos

    The Puratos Group has created a "Calling for Caring" initiative aimed at enhancing employee health and well-being, fostering a culture of care, and integrating well-being into every aspect of the employee experience. The initiative serves to enhance employee engagement and culture through a comprehensive and holistic approach to health and well-being. 

Planet

  • Ardent Mills

    The Stretch Wrap Reduction Program at Ardent Mills is a sustainable initiative designed to reduce their environmental impact while continuing to meet and exceed customer expectations for product delivery. This transition allows Ardent Mills to cut carbon emissions and waste, while also supporting our customers' sustainability goals. 

  • Bimbo Bakeries USA

    The Baked for Nature program by Bimbo Bakeries USA is making an impact on the planet through measurable carbon reductions and sustainable practices. This program goal focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions across company operations by implementing renewable energy solutions, optimizing energy efficiency, and advancing low-carbon technologies 


 

2025 Nominees
  • ABI LTD
  • Alpha Baking Company
  • Aspire Bakeries
  • Avant Food Media
  • BCW Food Products
  • Benchmark
  • Blueprint Automation
  • Chabaso Bakery
  • Crown Bakeries
  • Dawn Foods
  • Flowers Foods
  • Hearthside Food Solutions
  • H&S Family of Bakeries
  • Lallemand, Inc.
  • The Henry Group
  • Lessafre
  • Mecatherm
  • MGP
  • New Horizons Baking Company
  • Vandemoortele