SAN ANTONIO — Saputo USA received the International Dairy Food Association’s second annual IDFA Workplace of the Year award Monday at Dairy Forum.

The award, co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Processing, goes to a standout IDFA member company that has created policies to promote a positive workplace experience for employees.

“The International Dairy Foods Association is proud to honor Saputo USA with the 2025 Workplace of the Year Award, recognizing a company committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace that supports the growth and wellbeing of all employees,” IDFA senior vice president for trade and workforce policy Becky Rasdall Vargas said.

“It was evident to the judges that Saputo USA seeks to create a work environment where everyone feels valued and empowered, from establishing employee resource groups and offering professional development and mentorship, to fostering a culture of two-way communication with employees that includes sharing information on internal audits and seeking input on workplace policies,” Rasdall Vargas said.

Parameters for the award include demonstrating efforts to support women and minorities, create cultures of inclusiveness and respect, support professional development, establish paid parental leave and flexible work hours, and gender pay equality.

Saputo USA senior vice president of human resources Terri Bryant-Harrell said the company was humbled by the recognition.

“We know great employees make great products,” Bryant-Harrell said. “Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, and we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment through programs and policies that support them in both their personal and professional lives. Creating a workplace where our teams can grow and thrive is a journey that demands constant focus and unwavering commitment, but it’s one we eagerly embrace as we stay true to the values that Saputo was built on over 70 years ago.”

Through a blind review process that determined this year’s award recipient, a panel of judges picked Saputo USA, determining the cheese and dairy manufacturer set a high bar for its programs and policies that address gender balance and parity, leadership and professional development, paid parental leave and flexible work, and creating a culture of inclusiveness and respect for all people, with a special focus on women and minorities.

An initiative called Advancing Gender Balance set a goal of increasing the representation of women to 30% at Saputo USA’s senior levels – vice president and higher. The company’s investments in its employees also include training and development programs that focus on retaining talent, reducing turnover and promoting from within. The judges also noted the company’s impressive employee wellbeing programs, medical benefits and support for the health and wellbeing of employees’ families. Plus, Saputo USA’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion were deemed industry leading.

Schreiber Foods earned the inaugural IDFA Workplace of the Year in 2024.