Whole Foods Market has revealed the winners of its annual Supplier Awards, the company’s highest honor for producer partners that embody its mission and values. Out of thousands of Whole Foods Market suppliers nationwide, Grimmway Farms earned the grocer’s top “Supplier of the Year” award for outstanding all-around performance in the perishables category.

Grimmway was honored for its longstanding partnership to serve customers with the highest quality organic vegetables. The retailer said Grimmway is a leader in organic farming, quality standards and product innovation and continues to be a model partner for Whole Foods Market on topics ranging from new models of growth forecasting, to new product development and deep transparency on growing practices.Edmund LaMacchia, Whole Foods Market’s global vice president of procurement, perishables.

Whole Foods Market also recognized its top supplier partners in 16 categories that highlight areas of achievement, including product innovation, environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing, and excellence in quality standards and assurance.

“Each one of our supplier partners advances the character, flavor, and integrity of our stores, whether they’re committed to land conservation, sustainable farming methods or simply creating the best-tasting product on our shelves,” Edmund LaMacchia, Whole Foods Market’s global vice president of procurement, perishables, said in a press release. “We’re grateful for their drive, commitment and partnership in growing their business with Whole Foods Market.”

The retailer revealed its Supplier Award winners at a reception in Austin, TX, at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel. Additional honorees included:

Special Recognition

Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo, for many years of partnership, most recently evident in the success of a line of co-branded Whole Trade Guarantee cherry tomatoes from hundreds of farmers in the Baja California and Baja California Sur states of Mexico. The Del Cabo cooperative was formed in 1985 and continues to offer training to members on organic growing, harvesting and handling, as well as startup funds, farming technology, administrative training, and consistent distribution channels — all with the goal of ensuring the best return for small-scale farms.

Presence Marketing and Natural Specialty Sales, for their collective representation of hundreds of Whole Foods Market’s supplier partners. The growth in suppliers committed to Whole Foods Market’s quality standards is, in large part, due to the effort of these two organizations. Together, they have built a transparent, collaborative process to track and audit our partnerships to truly create win-win relationships.

Excellence in Standards

Sunripe Certified Brands, for its leadership in the grower community on the important topic of farmworker welfare. Sunripe Certified Brands was the first Florida tomato grower to adopt the Coalition of Immokalee Workers Fair Food Program across all of its Florida operations. Jon Esformes, chief executive officer, and his team continue transforming the organization to ensure health and safety for the men and women who work on Sunripe Certified Brands farms.

Global V.P. Integrity Award

Red Tomato, for its work on behalf of small farmers in the northeastern United States and being a voice in supporting a more sustainable, ethical food system. In addition to distributing great local produce from small growers, Red Tomato is also a leader the movement to communicate more deeply about how food is grown.

Distinguished Service

Stevens Transport, for more than 16 years of anchor cold carrier business partnership for Whole Foods Market’s West Coast produce transportation efforts. Transporting produce is a challenging task to master — it requires pinpoint communication, committed business partners and a flexible, dynamic business process. Stevens Transport has provided all of these and more through both high-and low-growth years, and is a truly distinguished service partner.

Environmental Stewardship

Small Planet Foods, for going above and beyond in supporting pollinator health, and for its contributions to organizations that protect wildlife through conservation efforts.  The company is also actively and increasingly sourcing almonds from suppliers that are using more bee-friendly production methods.