The American Society of Baking (ASB) is accepting applications through Jan. 13 for its annual Innovation Awards Program, which recognizes industry leaders and companies in the grain-based food industry for their innovative development and implementation of leading-edge products, equipment design and advancements in ingredient technology.

Interested individuals and organization are invited to submit applications in one of three categories:

• Health, Nutrition and Wellness, for companies that have demonstrated dedication and ongoing contribution to the advancement of bakery products and operations promoting healthy lifestyle.
• Eco Design and Sustainable Technologies, for organizations within the bakery industry that have developed and implemented effective, environmentally sustainable initiatives. The initiative should demonstrate positive sustainable benefits, along with a clear commitment to enhancement, preservation and protection of the environment.
• Operational Excellence, for companies that have demonstrated continuous improvement, dedication, best practices, creativity, innovation and ongoing contribution to the advancement of bakery production and operations.

Finalists will be selected by a panel of bakers in the wholesale baking industry. Honored products will be showcased at BakingTech 2016 and MarketPlace 2016, held Feb. 28 to March 1 at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago. To learn more about the program and how to enter, visit www.asbe.org/innovationawardsmain.