Sysco representatives Joe Don Eilers and Jeremy Melloan (second and third from left, respectively), receive the 2026 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Marketer of the Year award at NCBA Cattle Convention.
Chefs and consumers alike want to know more about the ingredients they purchase. And beef is no exception. Sysco, the world’s largest foodservice company, was recently recognized for their work to support farming and ranching families’ efforts to raise beef responsibly.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) named Sysco the 2026 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Marketer of the Year award recipient on Feb. 3 in Nashville, Tenn., during the annual Cattle Convention. Sysco was one of only five recipients of the awards given annually to leaders in the cattle industry who go above and beyond in promoting and supporting BQA and best practices in cattle care.
“The BQA program works every day to elevate the cattle industry through guidelines and training resources – it’s exciting to see a respected beef seller like Sysco recognize the connection between empowered producers and a high-quality product,” says Josh White, NCBA senior executive director, producer education and sustainability.
In 2023, Sysco and Certified Angus Beef teamed up to kick off a Raised With RespectTM initiative to support the cattle care work of the greater beef community. This initiative helps deliver ongoing education and updated BQA certifications, sharing the work farmers and ranchers have done for generations to provide care for their animals to build trust with consumers.
“From white tablecloth steakhouses to neighborhood food trucks, our customers want more information about the production practices of the products they buy and serve to their patrons—especially in animal agriculture,” says Joe Don Eilers, Sysco vice president of merchandising, center of the plate. “We believe the BQA program and its best practices in animal husbandry and environmental stewardship help give them the confidence that beef is responsibly raised.”
Sysco partnered with the Beef Quality Assurance program to give consumers greater transparency, sustainability, and confidence in the care and quality behind every steak.
BQA is a national certification standard for cattle care, ensuring best practices in animal handling, animal care, and responsible antibiotic use. And, Sysco has been working to support the ongoing education and certification program as part of its commitment to help sustain family farms and ranches.
“We are pleased to work with our partners at Certified Angus Beef to promote this national certification program and to engage with the families working hard to raise the beef our customers need,” says Eilers. “We believe that the BQA program’s framework and focus on bringing awareness to best practices in beef production is foundational to beef’s sustainability for generations to come.”
Since the campaign launched, more than 3,000 certifications have been achieved through in-person events, online incentives and BQA trainings.
“This partnership is a win-win for everyone,” says Bruce Cobb, Certified Angus Beef vice president of production. “It’s a win for Sysco’s customers to have confidence in the way their beef was raised, and it’s a win for farmers and ranchers to stay up to date with best management practices and have their story shared by the Sysco team.”
The Raised With RespectTM campaign commitment continues in 2026 with a goal of 1,000 more BQA certifications, with in-person and online certification options, and increasing BQA visibility with Sysco customers and team members.
“We believe all beef animals harvested to produce everything from burgers to high-quality steaks should be Raised with Respect,” says Eilers.
To learn more about Raised With RespectTM, visit Certified Angus Beef – Raised with Respect.
About the award:
The National BQA Award recognizes outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers, and educators that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations. A common trait among all contest entrants must be a strong desire to continually improve BQA on their operations while encouraging others to implement the producer education program. Learn more at: Beef Quality Assurance Awards.
