Packer Award

Greg Johnson, managing editor of The Packer, presented the Foodservice Achievement Award (now the Sixth Annual) at the PMA Foodservice Conference in Monterey, Calif. on July 15.

Here is an extended excerpt from the award presentation:


As you might expect, this year’s Foodservice Achievement Award winner also has shown leadership in the industry’s mission to regain consumer confidence.

In the aftermath of the September E. Coli crisis with spinach, suppliers analyzed their process of getting product to market because it was clear, the system wasn’t good enough.

Industry associations worked with their members to come up with better protocols and restore consumer confidence in a number of leafy greens. And of course, the government got involved.

But what it took to get the industry firmly headed in the right direction was a group of foodservice and retail buyers who began to work with suppliers to develop a single set of safety standards for the industry. Our honoree knew that and helped lead the group.

One industry peer said: “We had a brief window of urgency to take the pressure off the trade groups and let them do their work. With that buyer group, his credibility was very much on the line.”

Another peer said of our honoree: “He took the approach of saying to suppliers ‘There are reasons you should do this’ rather than with a threat.”

The result is the California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement, which provides a minimum threshold food safety protocol that is specific, measurable and verifiable.

Our honoree’s company made food safety a priority long before last fall’s problems. This company has a two-tiered approach for its suppliers.

It has a baseline set of requirements for all suppliers, with proof of third-party certifications. And for suppliers of its proprietary brands, it requires GAP, GMP and HACCP programs, and full traceback to field level with that information printed on master cartons and internal packaging.

His company has been an agenda-setter in foodservice for years. It was the first produce purchasing agent for foodservice. Started a little over 20 years ago, this company today procures, markets and delivers fresh produce for 10 independent foodservice distributors across North America, and its members account for more than 12 Billion Dollars in annual foodservice sales.

One colleague said: “The company really woke up the industry to foodservice needs. It’s the pioneer to all the foodservice distributors. Most suppliers would say this: It’s the elite company to do business with.”

Our honoree leads this company, but not with an overt, omnipresent or dictatorial style.

“He puts you at ease with the way he relates to people,” One peer said. “You don’t realize how important he is because he’s so warm and genuine.”

Another said “He’s a very good listener. He articulates a point of view without ever being condescending. He’s thoughtful and patient.”

PMA President Bryan Silbermann got to know him pretty well with the 10 years he served on various PMA boards and the one year he spent as chairman.

Bryan said at the time our honoree left the board: “Perhaps what sets him apart the most is his ability to take the broad view at all times, truly taking off his company hat to put on his industry hat in representing all the members of this great association. Perhaps that’s because as president of his company, he has to run what is practically a mini-association, answering to multiple bosses, keeping different agendas from upsetting the broader goals.”

Keep in mind, this was before his work on the food safety buyer group and on the Ag Secretary’s Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee.

On the personal side, he’s been with the same company for 22 years, the last 10 as president. He lives and works right here in the Salinas Valley. He’s been married for nearly 30 years. He’s active in his son and daughter’s lives. He’s taken leadership roles in his church. He runs marathons. He organizes dinners at industry meetings.

In short, he’s got the perfect make up for leadership, which is a good reason why he was in this year’s Packer 25, our annual profile on industry leaders.

Perhaps the best thing any of his peers said about him is the following about his work on food safety: “This won’t be the last thing he takes leadership of, believe me.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2007 Packer Foodservice Achievement Award Winner, President of Salinas, California-based Markon Cooperative, Tim York.