Distributor's Choice Awards

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IFDA distributor’s choice awards bring accolades to manufacturers from their distributor customers

The Distributor’s Choice Awards recognize foodservice manufacturers that go above and beyond in collaborative business practices. The awards program allows foodservice distributors to vote for manufacturer partners that exhibit excellence in strategy, supply chain, product innovation, and sales and marketing support. Winners will be announced at the 2026 IFDA Partners Executive Forum.

Individuals at foodservice distribution companies cast their vote for one partner per category based on their professional opinion on doing business with these manufacturers. Several people from the same foodservice distribution company may vote, but each person may vote only once.

Voting for the 2026 Distributor’s Choice Awards will open on Nov. 12, 2025, and close on Dec. 2, 2025. Eligible voters will receive a voting link via email. If you have questions, or did not receive a link, email Sara Miller at smiller@ifdaonline.org.

Voting Categories

Strategic Partner: Understands the unique needs of my business, and clearly articulates their company strategy. Engages in executive-level joint planning.
Product Innovator: Creates products that meet the needs of the foodservice operator and consumer. Is committed to developing new products that sell, coupled with their willingness to share their new product innovation strategy.
Sales Leader: Has established relationships with distributor sales management. Engages in joint-sales planning and collaboration.
Supply Chain Leader: Demonstrates leadership in data integrity for all of their products. Is a leader in supply chain initiatives.
Overall Winner: Based on the number of overall total votes across all categories.

See the expanded criteria for each award category.

Who can vote?

Representatives from foodservice distribution companies that are IFDA members will be invited to participate via email. The votes are individual, so several individuals from the same foodservice distribution company may cast their votes, though each person may only vote once. We’re looking for YOUR professional opinion on doing business with these manufacturers.

How does voting work?

Casting your vote is easy: simply pick one exceptional IFDA Partner for each of the four categories. You may select the same company for multiple categories, but only one company per category. If you don’t have an opinion on a specific category, you may skip it by selecting N/A.

What are the award categories?

There are four categories: Strategic Partners, Product Innovator, Sales Leader and Supply Chain Leader, plus an overall winner based on the total number of votes across categories. See the expanded criteria for details.

When will winners be announced?

The winners will be announced and honored at the IFDA’s Partners Executive Forum.
For questions about the program or to receive a voting link, email IFDA’s Sara Miller.

The 2025 Winners

Smithfield Culinary

Strategic Partner 2025: This award is given to the IFDA Partner who understands the unique needs of their distributors’ business, and clearly articulates its company strategy. They engage in executive-level joint planning.
Sales Leader 2025: Has established relationships with distributor sales managemant. Engages in joint-sales planning and collaboration.
Total Overall Winner 2025: This award is given to the IFDA Partner who receives the most overall votes.

“Earning the trust and approval of your distributor customers is the highest form of recognition, and these awards highlight the outstanding efforts of those who go above and beyond to support foodservice distribution,” said Mark S. Allen, President and CEO of IFDA. “We are delighted to celebrate manufacturer partners who consistently exceed the expectations of our distributor members.”

Sugar Foods

Supply Chain Leader 2025: Demonstrates leadership in data integrity for all of their products. Is a leader in supply chain initiatives.
Product Innovator 2025: Creates products that meet the needs of the foodservice operator and consumer. Is committed to developing new products that sell, coupled with their willingness to share their new product innovation strategy.

“Earning the trust and approval of your distributor customers is the highest form of recognition, and these awards highlight the outstanding efforts of those who go above and beyond to support foodservice distribution,” said Mark S. Allen, President and CEO of IFDA. “We are delighted to celebrate manufacturer partners who consistently exceed the expectations of our distributor members.”