IFMA HONORS BIRITE, GFS, UNIPRO

Two broadline distributors and the leader of the nation’s largest foodservice distribution cooperative will be honored next month with the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association’s fifth annual Distributor Awards.

BiRite Foodservice, Brisbane, Calif., will receive the IFMA Excellence in Distribution Award. The broadliner is being recognized for demonstrating excellence in management and leadership, customer relations, supplier relations and industry/community contributions.

Gordon Food Service, the largest family-owned broadline foodservice distributor in North America, has been picked to receive IFMA’s Distributor Sales & Marketing Performance Award. GFS, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., is being recognized for its execution of creative sales and marketing, utilizing in-depth research, innovative sales techniques and a multi-platform marketing approach.

Roger Toomey, president and CEO of UniPro Foodservice, will receive IFMA’s Distinguished Industry Achievement Award. Atlanta-based UniPro is the largest foodservice distribution co-op in the United States, comprising more than 650 companies in more than 900 locations.

The awards will be presented Nov. 8 during the IFMA/IFDA Presidents Conference, November 6-9 in Scottsdale, Ariz.