WASHINGTON — The International Baking Industry Exposition Committee has identified 16 industry suppliers as part of its inaugural B.E.S.T. (Becoming Environmentally Sustainable Together) in Baking initiative. The companies recognized included Danisco USA, Sara Lee, Horizon Milling, Briess Malt & Ingredients Co. and CSM Bakery Supplies, North America. “The I.B.I.E. Committee believes that our industry can play a significant role in achieving a sustainable future — by minimizing packaging, making food transportation more efficient, reducing the amount of water the industry uses in its processes, etc.,” said Mike Beaty, executive vice-president of supply chain, Flowers Foods, Inc., and vice-chairman of the I.B.I.E. “Rising energy prices, water shortages and the increasingly self-evident consequences of climate change are timely reminders of the need for action. Sustainability requires behavioral changes, in particular the widespread adoption of best practices, which we aim to promote through the B.E.S.T. in Baking initiative.”

The following companies achieved B.E.S.T. in Baking because of their commitment to sustainability through innovative products, services, technologies and/or programs: Air Management Technologies, Inc., American Pan-Bundy Baking Solutions, AmeriVap Systems, Banner-Day, Bedford Industries, Inc., Colborne Foodbotics, L.L.C., Danisco, HFA, Inc./Handi-Foil of America, JEROS USA, Lime Energy for Sara Lee, Sara Lee and Horizon Milling. Honorable mention went to Briess Malt & Ingredients Co., CSM Bakery Supplies, North America, CSM Worldwide, Inc., Hansaloy and Toolbox Software North America, Inc.