WENATCHEE, WA – After a 40-year career with Stemilt, Eva Lauve, Food Safety and Scheduling Manager, was recognized by the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) with their Quality Achievement Award. Lauve was named recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, which is given to an individual who has freely shared time and expertise throughout the industry in the areas of food safety.

“In the early 1990s, Eva was tasked by my grandfather, Tom Mathison, to ensure Stemilt was on the forefront of food safety,” said Stemilt President West Mathison, who read a letter that spoke of Lauve’s incredible service to Stemilt and the industry aloud prior to her accepting her award. “She fully immersed herself into understanding food safety, and because of her, Stemilt has one of the longest participations in SQF and was one of the first SQF certified suppliers in North America. Eva has committed countless hours serving on volunteer food safety committees and always had an open door to consult others in the industry to make sure we are all putting forth safe, quality food. The epitome of a serving leader, we are thrilled that SQFI has selected Eva for this award.”

Prior to assuming her current role as Scheduling and Food Safety Manager, Lauve began her career at Stemilt in 1978 as a cherry sorter and worked in various jobs with the company throughout her college years. After graduating college, she then moved into packing line supervisory roles. In 1987, she was promoted to packed fruit QC and pre-size bin inventory supervisor, before starting Stemilt’s food safety program and managed production in 1992, according to a press release.

“It’s an honor to recognize Eva Lauve of Stemilt,” said Robert Garfield, Chief Food Safety Assessment Officer and Senior Vice President for Food Marketing Institute, who also noted that Lauve is the fifth recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, which is only awarded by senior staff when they discover an individual who has dedicated themselves to enhancing food safety management. “Like our other recipients, she has a great understanding and commitment to global food safety and the SQF program, and is constantly giving her time and energy towards helping others in all areas of food safety.”

The awards were given out at the 2017 SQFI International Conference held in Dallas, Texas. Congratulations Eva!

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