Established fruit grower-owned cooperative Knouse Foods received a Sysco Supplier Excellence Award for fiscal year 2011, recognizing the company as a Bronze Supplier in the canned foods category.

As a leading foodservice distributor, Sysco’s Top 100 Supplier Recognition Program honors companies that regularly meet or exceed exacting standards as well as demonstrate superiority in sales growth, sales support, service levels, promotional activity, commitment to quality, and product innovation.

By controlling the entire production process from farm to table, Knouse provides the foodservice industry with a wide assortment of fruit-related products under the Musselman’s and Lucky Leaf brands that meet the highest standards for taste, quality and consistency.

“The heart of Knouse is the partnership with our growers who have a shared commitment to raising quality fruit that is fresh picked for peak flavor,” says Todd Michael, director of foodservice sales for Knouse Foods.

“This personal touch combined with state-of-the-art processing procedures guarantees we provide the best fruit products to chefs and foodservice operators year-round. We are honored to receive the Sysco Supplier Excellence Award and appreciate our efforts being acknowledged by one of the largest food distributors nationwide.”