HOUSTON, TX – The Meat Institute recognized nearly 100 meat and poultry facilities at the 2026 Environmental, Labor and Safety+ Conference in Houston, Texas, for showcasing their commitment to continuous improvement in the areas of environmental achievement, worker safety and community impact.

“This year’s award winners reflect the innovation, commitment and leadership that define the meat and poultry industry,” said Julie Anna Potts, president and CEO of the Meat Institute. “Their work to advance worker safety, environmental stewardship and strong communities demonstrates how our member companies are continuously improving and investing in the people, processes and technologies that keep our food system resilient.”

Community Impact and Corporate Wellbeing Awards:

Community Impact and Corporate Wellbeing Awards are granted to companies that improve the health and wellness of their local and corporate communities.

Fresh Mark, Inc., FPL Food LLC, and Triumph Foods were recognized in the Community Wellness category, alongside honorable mentions for Bob Evans Food, Inc. and Chomps. Marcus Food Company took first place in the Innovation category. Award winners are listed here.

Worker Safety Awards:

The Worker Safety Recognition Awards honor facilities that have achieved a high level of safety performance as part of the continuing effort to reduce occupational injury and illness.

The awards are based on a National Safety Council (NSC) evaluation of each eligible establishment's actual safety performance as well as its implementation of various key components of an effective safety and health program. The NSC staff examined Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Total Recordable Cases rate and the rate for Cases with Days Away From Work, Job Transfer, or Restriction (DART) data for each facility. Award winners are listed here.

Environmental Achievement Awards:

Environmental Achievement Awards are for companies demonstrating innovative leadership and progress in emissions reduction, energy conservation, packaging/food waste reduction, technological innovation and water conservation. The following companies were awarded:

WATER CONSERVATION
1st Place: Fresh Mark, Inc. — Massillon, OH
2nd Place: Pilgrim's — Arcadia, WI
3rd Place: Calihan Processing Cooperative — Peoria, IL

EMISSIONS REDUCTION
1st Place: Thomas Foods International USA — Swedesboro, NJ
2nd Place: Tyson Farms, Inc., River Valley Ingredients — Harmony, NC
3rd Place: OSI Group — West Jordan, UT

ENERGY CONSERVATION
1st Place: Lopez Dorada — Oklahoma City, OK
2nd Place Land O' Frost, Inc. — Lansing, IL
3rd Place: Land O' Frost, Inc. — Searcy, AR

PACKAGING AND/OR FOOD WASTE REDUCTION
1st Place: OSI Group — Oakland, IA
2nd Place Fresh Mark, Inc. — Massillon, OH

TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION
1st Place: Greater Omaha Packing — Omaha, NE

Award winners are listed here.

About the Meat Institute

The Meat Institute represents the full community of people and companies who make the majority of meat American families rely on every day. The Meat Institute’s hands-on regulatory and technical expertise, proactive advocacy, unique convening power, collaboration within and beyond animal agriculture, and sector-leading continuous improvement initiatives drive relationships and resources that ensure meat continues to be a vital, trusted pillar of healthy diets and thriving communities for generations to come. To learn more, visit: MeatInstitute.org.