MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Maple Leaf Foods has been honoured with the inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award from the North American Meat Institute. The award was presented during the Institute’s Environmental, Labour and Safety Conference in Carlsbad, Calif.
The organization has defined its way of measuring progress, increased the diversity of its workforce and measured the satisfaction of its people through comprehensive engagement survey questions.
“Receiving the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award is an incredible honour,” says Jumoke Fagbemi, senior vice-president of People. “This recognition is a testament to our culture and our people who, through their dedication, curiosity and commitment, make our company an inclusive place to work. We know we’re stronger when people feel accepted and valued for who they are and what they bring to the workplace.”
Additionally, Maple Leaf Foods received 2022 Worker Safety Awards for four processing facilities in Canada, including its pork processing facility in Brandon, Man.; its meat canning operation in Mississauga, Ont.; and its manufacturing operation in Mississauga, Ont. The company was also recognized with an Award of Merit for its Parma prepared meats facility in Laval, Que. and a 2022 Tier 3 Environmental Recognition Award for the heritage prepared meats facility in Hamilton, Ont.
“We are humbled to receive the Institute’s awards because they directly connect to our vision to be the most sustainable protein company on earth,” says Curtis Frank, president and COO of Maple Leaf Foods. “Creating an inclusive, safe work environment where all of our teammates can deliver their personal best all while protecting our planet reflects Maple Leaf’s leadership values, and that makes these awards deeply meaningful to us.”
