Awards
The 2024 ACE Awards were presented at the 2024 Annual Conference & Expo from June 10-13, 2024 in Reno, Nevada!
2025 Award nominations are now open.
Take this opportunity to showcase your work, a colleague, or a company that demonstrates excellence! Individual nominations will close March 1, 2025, and must be submitted via the online survey which you can visit below.
Awards in the form of complimentary membership, event registration, or other ANFP products, already paid for by an award recipient, will be refunded to the individual and re-processed in accordance with the procedures established for the ANFP awards program.
Below are the ACE Award criteria. You can also download a PDF containing the information by clicking the button below.
Ambassador Award
Recipient: Non-member
Criteria: An administrator, dietitian, etc. who demonstrated commitment of the CDM, CFPP credential and supports the nutrition and foodservice department leader through mentoring.
CDM, CFPP Spotlight Award
Recipient: Recipient of the Chapter's CDM, CFPP of the Year or CDM, CFPP of the Month
Criteria: Member that has received their chapter's CDM, CFPP of Year (or equivalent award), or was named as the 'CDM, CFPP of the Month'.
Chapter Volunteer of Year Award
Recipient: Any current ANFP chapter volunteer
Recognizes an outstanding chapter volunteer that serves as a positive example to others, and whose dedicated service, time and efforts to the foodservice industry help to advance the mission of the ANFP at the state level.
Criteria:
- Must be a CDM, CFPP and current, active chapter volunteer
- Makes an outstanding contribution to the association through volunteer service
- Candidate has served as chapter leader/volunteer for at least five years
- Held at least one chapter officer position for a full term (according to chapter’s bylaws)
- Actively seeks out others to engage in volunteer activities
- Supports and upholds the aims and goals of ANFP
- Demonstrates exceptional commitment, service, creativity, and cooperation
Dining Distinction Award
Recipient: Any member
Criteria: The dining experience can contribute significantly to the health and well-being of individuals; an optimal dining experience is more than "eating". It involved the nutritional value of food, the way food is presented, the environment in which food is presented, the human interactions that occur during the dining experience.
*Distinguished Service Award
Recipient: Member or corporate sponsor
Member Criteria: Member has exhibited strong support for ANFP and its mission: Enhance health and wellness through optimum nutritional care.
Corporate Sponsor Criteria: Nominee has served ANFP and its members at the national level in any of the following ways (if nominee is an organization, they have supported their staff members to be involved with ANFP, or have contributed as an organization, in any of these ways):
- As a board, committee, or task force member
- As a speaker at national events
- As a thought leader and mentor to CDM, CFPPs and all ANFP members
- As an ambassador for ANFP in the nutrition and foodservice industry
- As a partner in the development of programs and services that have benefited ANFP members
*No self-nominations will be accepted for this award.
Horizon Award
Recipient: Member who has practiced in the foodservice industry for five years or less.
Criteria: Recognizes members who are new to management, and who demonstrate a desire for future growth through initiatives within their facility or community, or local chapter, and display leadership in fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Innovation Award
Recipient: Any member
Criteria: Recognizes members who enhance their nutrition and foodservice operations through technology, program development, nutrition, operations and/or creative use of financial management.
*Legacy Award
Recipient: ANFP member who has been a member for at least 15 years, and served three or more years on a national committee/board and attended at least three ANFP regional and/or annual meetings within the last five years.
Criteria: ANFP involvement and attendance at ANFP programming to include contributions to ANFP through consistent participation but not limited to annual meeting, regional meetings, leadership institute, and chapter programs.
*No self-nominations will be accepted for this award.
Partnership Award
Recipient: Company or facility (Members or non-members)
Criteria: Demonstrated strong commitment to the CDM, CFPP credential and supports the nutrition and foodservice department leader.
Public Policy Leadership Award
Recipient: Congressperson or member
Criteria: Exhibits strong support for efforts to change/strengthen public policy in the areas of nutrition, food, health care, and public health.
Student of the Year Award
Recipient: Recognizes a current student enrolled in an ANFP dietary managers program who exemplifies dedication, hard work and commitment to earning the credential and pursuing a career in the foodservice industry.
Criteria:
- Currently enrolled in ANFP approved program
- Will sit for the exam within the next year (June 1 – May 31)
Individual recipient of the national award will receive one free year of membership after becoming a CDM, CFPP.
Awards in the form of complimentary membership, event registration or other ANFP products, already paid for by an award recipient, will be refunded to the individual and re-processed in accordance with the procedures established for the ANFP awards program.
Diamond Award
Recipient: The coveted Diamond Award recognizes one ANFP state chapter per year that exemplifies dedication to members through chapter initiatives and enthusiastic leadership.
2024 Diamond Award Recipient and Information