Open Gates Business Development Corporation, more commonly known as Open Gates Group, is proud to announce that all four of their facilities are now Level 2 Safe Quality Food (SQF) certified. These facilities include: Farmers Creamery, makers of Kalona SuperNatural bottled milk and butter products; Frytown Ware
house & Distribution facility; Kalona Farms, milk receiving facility; and Kalona Creamery, retail shop and future cheese production facility.
Food Safety and Quality
Food safety has always been a priority for the Open Gates Group family of companies, which is composed of 9 entrepreneurial companies including Farmers Creamery, the makers of Kalona SuperNatural organic dairy products. The SQF certification is proof that these facilities comply with regulatory requirements and demonstrate a commitment to food safety. The SQF program is endorsed by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and is recognized internationally.
“Food safety and quality have always been our top priorities and the SQF certification is just one more way we can show that commitment to our customers,” said Sue Gessner, the managing partner of Farmers Creamery. “SQF certification allows our family of companies to reach a new level. It will open the doors to several new business opportunities, especially in the industrial ingredient industry.”
The SQF Certification Process
The Open Gates Group family of companies started the rigorous SQF certification process in early 2016 and spent nearly two years creating the extensive documentation required by SQF food safety policies and procedures. “I am so proud of our employees and what they have accomplished over the last few years,” said Bill Evans, CEO of Open Gates Group. “This certification requires a company-wide commitment in order to be successful. Becoming SQF certified was our top goal for 2017 and we are excited about what the future holds!”
###
Open Gates Business Development Corporation, known as Open Gates Group, consists of 9 companies located in the Kalona, Iowa area including Awesome Logistics, Awesome Refrigerated Transit of Iowa, Farmers Creamery- makers of the Kalona SuperNatural™ brand, Frytown Warehouse & Distribution, Kalona Creamery, Kalona Farms, Kalona Organics, Comprehensive Contracting Solutions and Provision Ingredients.