WASHINGTON – FMI has awarded Natural Choice Foods (NCF) the prestigious 2025 Food Safety Innovation Award, presented by The Food Industry Association, in recognition of its groundbreaking solution that tackles both food waste and food safety through a closed-loop repackaging and redistribution system.
NCF’s model repurposes excess private brand and foodservice products from large food manufacturers, ensuring these items are safely redirected into the supply chain instead of being sent to landfills. In 2024 alone, the company safely repackaged and redistributed over 9 million pounds of food, contributing to both environmental sustainability and expanded food access nationwide.
Presented in collaboration with the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI), the Food Safety Innovation Award honors companies that demonstrate forward-thinking approaches to improving food safety. NCF is the eighth company to receive the accolade, and their model sets a compelling example for how safety and sustainability can go hand in hand.
“Natural Choice Foods is transforming how the industry views food waste,” said Ashley Eisenbeiser, Vice President of Food and Product Safety Programs at FMI. “Their commitment to high safety standards while driving sustainability makes them a standout innovator in today’s food system.”
By aligning with regulators and ensuring compliance at every step, NCF’s process allows safe, surplus food to reach independent retailers and foodservice operators at more affordable prices, bolstering both community nutrition and economic opportunity.
NCF’s award-winning solution not only helps reduce food waste on a massive scale, but also exemplifies the future of a safer, more sustainable food supply chain.
