Meat Industry Achievement Awards

The Meat Industry Achievement (MIA) Award is given to an OIMP Business Member company or, an individual within a Business Member company that, judged by the membership, is deserving of recognition for their achievement in the meat industry.

Download the 2012 Meat Industry Achievement (MIA) Award Nomination Form.

2011 - Halenda's Fine Foods

Halenda's, a family run business established in 1979, is a retailer and processor of quality fresh meat, smoke/prepared meats, and deli meats. Over the years Halenda's has grown from a 3 person operation to employing over 120 people. They currently serve the Durham Region, in four locations, and are at the St Jacob’s Market in Waterloo. They also operate The Meat Depot, a wholesale distribution warehouse and recently purchased Richard & Sons, a provincially licensed meat plant in Mississauga. Halenda's has won numerous awards for their products and has been a leader in branding and promoting Ontario-produced meat. In 2009, Richard Halenda was named Business Person of the Year by the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce. Halenda’s joined the OIMP in 2005 and in 2007 Richard was elected to the Board of Directors where he continues to serve.

2010 - Springer's Meats Inc.

Springer's Meats located in Hamilton Ontario was established in 1959 by Walter Springer. Walter Mueller bought the business in 1986. In 2006, the Mueller’s invested $2 million for a 26,000 extension. They have seen their company transform itself from a 6,000-square-foot shop with a dozen employees making pizza toppings and a few deli products to a steadily growing product portfolio comprising of more than 150 different cooked and smoked products. Today, this federally registered processing operation remains a family operated business with every member involved. The Mueller’s have been important contributors to the OIMP for many years and have been recognized with 21 awards in the OIMP Product Competition. Springer’s Meats joined the OIMP in 1989 and has been a long time sponsor of the OIMP. Walter Jr. was elected to the OIMP Board of Directors in 2005 and currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer.

2009 - VG Meats

Over thirty years ago Case Van Groningen and his family bought a small abattoir in Simcoe, Ontario and began serving Simcoe and the surrounding area. VG Meats expanded their experience in the meat industry back into the initial production of the beef they sell. The Van Groningen’s have been able to offer a superior and more consistent beef product. With a herd of cows that produce offspring to supply there retail counter at the Simcoe store location and soon to open second location in Stoney Creek. VG Meats joined the OIMP in 1987 and started competing and winning many awards in the OIMP Product Competition. They were awarded the Ron Usborne Award of Excellence for the Highest Overall Score of the competition in 2007 and 2009.

2008 - Stemmler Meats & Cheese

This business started in 1985 in the family garage, with a small retail outlet at the local farmers market. In October 2006 Stemmler Meats & Cheese opened their 6,000 sq. ft. plant, which includes a 1,600 sq. ft. retail store front on Lobsinger Line in Heidelberg. Stemmler’s has been featured three times on the Town & Country Ontario television program. Stemmler’s joined the association in 1988 and started entering the Product Competition in 1992 and have taken home many awards – including six Grand Champions for their Mediterranean Smoked Sausage with Green Olives and Feta Cheese, Mexican Pinchito Roll, Roast Chicken Burrito, Jerky, Country Style Bacon, and Black Forest Style Ham.

2007 - Leo Rocheleau

Leo Rocheleau is plant Manager of Weston Abattoir, in Maidstone, Ontario. Leo has been in the meat industry since 1991 and was involved in the dairy industry for 18 years prior. Leo received the first Meat Industry Achievement Award for dedicating over ten years working on behalf of Ontario’s provincially licensed abattoirs in order to achieve a financial settlement for losses incurred during the labour disruption of 1996. Leo was elected to the OIMP Board in 1994 and served as OIMP President 1997-2003 and represented the OIMP on the Ontario Pork in-transit Committee and Ontario Pork Grading Authority.