Kwik Trip has been selected by the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) as the 2026 recipient of the Black Pearl Award, according to a press release sent to NACS.
IAFP said the award is given annually to one company for its efforts in advancing food safety and quality through consumer programs, employee relations, educational activities, adherence to standards and support of the goals and objectives of IAFP.
“Over the past two decades, Kwik Trip Inc. has expanded food service through a vertically integrated business model that includes company-owned production facilities, distribution centers, transportation, retail operations and an A2LA-accredited Food Protection Laboratory. The majority of food and beverage products offered in its stores are produced and supplied daily by Kwik Trip Inc., providing direct oversight of food protection and quality standards, traceability and active managerial control,” IAFP said.
The Black Pearl Award will be presented at IAFP’s Annual Meeting in July in New Orleans, Louisiana.
As convenience retailers continue to expand their foodservice programs, the importance of food safety cannot be overstated. That was the message NACS President and CEO Frank Gleeson emphasized as he kicked off the 5th annual NACS Food Safety Forum on April 13 in Chicago.
Gleeson framed safe, high-quality food as foundational to industry growth, consumer confidence and brand reputation across the convenience channel.
For retailers, foodservice is not just another category—it is a growth engine that can differentiate stores beyond fuel and from competitors like QSRs.
Look out for the July 2026 issue of NACS Magazine for more coverage on the recent 2026 NACS Food Safety Forum.