During its 2026 Convention this week, the American Bakers Association (ABA) honored member companies with the Champions for a Better Tomorrow Awards. This initiative, developed in alignment with ABA’s strategic plan, is intended to celebrate the innovation, leadership, and commitment of baking manufacturing companies to drive meaningful change in their communities, workplaces, and planet.

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

“Every day, across the country, the commercial baking industry is strengthening their communities, supporting their teams, and making thoughtful investments in a more sustainable future,” says Bill Quigg, outgoing ABA Chair and president/CEO of Richmond Baking. “The Champions for a Better Tomorrow Awards celebrate those stories and the positive impacts of ABA Members.”  

Community  

Recognizing initiatives that support local communities through charitable efforts, food insecurity solutions, volunteerism, partnerships, or social impact programs.    

Community – Baker: Rich Products – Generations of Good  

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.

Community – Allied: WorkForge – Operation Breakthrough 

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.

Workplace   

Celebrating programs and practices that advance employee development, company culture and camaraderie, or employee well-being to create workplaces where individuals thrive.  

Workplace – Baker: The Bama Companies – Bama Wellness Program 

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.

Workplace – Allied: Bundy Baking Solutions – Be Well at Bundy 

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.

Planet  

Honoring programs that minimize environmental impact through waste reduction, tree planting or garden development, sustainable employee transportation programs, sustainability education, or other eco-friendly programs.  

 Planet - Baker: Flowers Foods, Inc. – Real-Time Water Metering 

 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.

Planet – Allied: PureField Ingredients – Carbon Capture and Sequestration Program 

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%.   

ABA extends its congratulations to the 2026 award nominees and thanks all participants for their inspiring efforts. The 2026 Award Nominees were:   

• 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

“The Champions for a Better Tomorrow Awards showcase the extraordinary work our members are doing to create lasting impact,” states Eric Dell, president/CEO of ABA. “By recognizing initiatives that strengthen communities, empower employees, and protect our planet, this program brings ABA’s Strategic Plan to life and highlights the baking industry’s commitment to building a stronger future.”

Related: ABA debuts Global Supply Chain & Logistics Professionals Group