Griffith Foods was honored and recognized for the company’s impact on the Midwest food industry at the 2016 Midwest Food Matters Awards Gala on Tuesday, May 24 in downtown Chicago. Griffith was presented the 2016 Leadership Award at the event.
The annual gala celebrates the Midwest’s role in food production, innovation and manufacturing in feeding the United States and the world. This year’s event was held at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, and brought together leaders, suppliers and service providers to the food industry.
Brian Griffith, chairman of the board at Griffith Foods, accepted the award on behalf of the organization, and reflected on the importance of collaboration to meet future challenges. “By 2050, there will be nine billion people on earth; that’s a 25 percent increase over today’s population,” Griffith said during his remarks. “In the Midwest, we have unique access to natural resources, agricultural, top research institutions and technology, and we will need to work together to develop innovative solutions. Fundamentally, these challenges offer unique opportunities for those who are willing to make a difference.”
Griffith Foods is a global developer and producer of customized food ingredients and is headquartered in Alsip, Illinois. The company maintains a presence in over 30 countries, and employs nearly 4,000 associates worldwide.
The event was hosted and managed by the Global Midwest Alliance (GMA), a business-led economic development group for the Midwest Region. This year’s gala raised over $250,000 to support GMA’s vision to transform the Midwest into an internationally recognized leader in innovation and business growth.
A portion of the proceeds raised also benefit the Global FoodBanking Network and Feeding America, food banking organizations which Griffith Foods also supports. GMA focuses on fostering crucial connections among innovators, funders and business leaders, especially within manufacturing, clean technology, energy, water, logistics and food.
On Wednesday, May 25, Global Midwest Alliance held a half-day seminar focused on navigating today’s consumer expectations in the areas of food and nutrition. The seminar included experts in economics, business development, nutrition, food science and food manufacturing and development.
