The American Bakers Association (ABA) announced that it now accepts applications for the 2026 Champions for a Better Tomorrow Awards, a program that honors baking industry companies making a lasting impact in their communities, workplaces, and the planet. Awards submissions are due January 30, 2026. Winners will be announced in April 2026 at the 2026 ABA Annual Convention.

Awards categories:

• The Community category: Recognizes projects that enhance and support local communities through charitable efforts, food insecurity solutions, volunteerism, partnerships, or social impact programs.
• The Workplace category: Honors programs are programs and practices that advance employee development, company culture and camaraderie, or employee well-being to create workplaces where individuals thrive.
• The Planet category: Celebrates initiatives to minimize environmental impact through waste reduction, tree planting or garden development, clean-up drives, sustainable employee transportation programs, zero waste community programs, sustainability education, or other eco-friendly programs.

Launched at the 2025 ABA Annual Convention, the Champions for a Better Tomorrow Awards recognize the innovation, leadership, and commitment of ABA member companies driving meaningful change across the commercial baking sector.

This year, 25 nominees were recognized, and six companies were honored across three categories:

Community: 

• Bama Companies
• Red Star Yeast

Workplace:

• Klosterman Baking Company
• Puratos

Planet:

• Ardent Mills
• Bimbo Bakeries USA

“The Champions for a Better Tomorrow Awards highlight the incredible efforts of our member organizations to make a lasting impact,” said ABA Senior Director, Membership and Growth, Ben Simpson. “Our mission is to elevate commercial baking as a destination workplace and showcase the powerful stories that inspire pride, progress, and purpose across the sector.”

Founded in 1897, the American Bakers Association (ABA) is the largest trade association for the commercial baking industry in the US. ABA’s community includes more than 375 member companies representing over 1,200 commercial baking facilities and the extensive industry supply chain. In 2025, ABA earned the prestigious Great Place To Work® Certification, underscoring its commitment to fostering a strong internal culture that supports industrial baking in the US.