It was an evening of elegance and celebration last night as the Altona & District Chamber of Commerce shone a spotlight on a group of local businesses, business owners and organizations making a difference in the community. Four such entities were presented with the Chamber's annual awards at the gala event, held at the Rhineland Pioneer Centre.
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Business Excellence Award for companies with eleven (11) employees or more.
This award was presented to Bunge's Altona plant.
"We're excited and really pleased," said Nolan Friesen, Bunge's Commercial Manager for Canada. "This award belongs to the entire team in Altona and recognizes the hard work and professionalism of our members."
Beginning as a farmer cooperative in 1946, the Altona plant originally processed 60 metric tonnes of sunflowers a day. 79 years later, the facility maintains its mission to connect with producers, and has since expanded its operations to include soybeans, flax, and canola as well, and processes 3,500 metric tonnes a day with a focus on canola.
"The current facility sources canola seed directly from the producers of the crop, taking the raw seed that is delivered by the producers and processes it into edible canola oil and protein meal for livestock," explained Friesen.
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Since its inception in 1946, Friesen says the facility has purchased more than 20 million tonnes of agricultural products from area farmers and has made significant contribution to the vibrance and economic health of the community it serves. That includes $32,000 in donations to more than 25 organizations over the years, and 5,000 litres of edible oil a year to local food banks.
As one of Altona’s leading employers, Bunge also provides opportunities for personal growth and skills development to over 100 dedicated employees. According to Friesen, the unique corporate culture of the facility is a major reason for its success.
"We have families that have three generations of employees that have worked at this facility, and the work ethic and personal commitment of our employees, combined with the Bunge corporate culture values that have earned this facility multiple global safety and global performance awards," added Friesen.
He also credited the support of the Altona community as another reason for the plant's continued success and longevity.
The Business Excellence Award for businesses with ten (10) employees or fewer.
This award was presented to Page Print, a cornerstone of the Altona community and essential part of the local economy, providing vital printing services to local businesses, organizations, and individuals who need fast, high-quality results. With cutting-edge printing technology and over 29 years of experience, Page Print delivers exceptional print solutions right here at home.
In the nomination, owner, Barry McGhie, was praised for his unmatched efficiency and customer service, and a commitment to his clients that ensures every project is executed with precision and care.
"It has been a pleasure to serve our community in this way," said McGhie in his acceptance speech. "The support I have received over the years has been heart-warming and encouraging. I have enjoyed going to work every day...almost," he added with a chuckle. "Getting an award for something I love to do is special. Thank you to all who have contributed to the success of Page Print. I look forward to more years of service."
Entrepreneur of the Year
This award was presented to Nicole Wood, owner of Two Sparrows greenhouse.
Since opening its doors in May 2023, Two Sparrows has quickly become a beloved resource for the Altona community and beyond, offering a wide selection of annuals, vegetables, herbs, seeds, perennials, trees, and shrubs. The business has experienced remarkable growth, with the fall of 2023 marking the start of a new phase—doubling their growing space with state-of-the-art gutter-connected greenhouses. This expansion led to an impressive increase in traffic and sales during their second season in 2024.
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In her acceptance speech, Wood said none of this would have been possible without the team of people working with her and behind the scenes.
"Thank you to our community for buying local and spreading the word about Two Sparrows greenhouse. Thank you to my amazing, hard-working staff. You make the weight of starting this new business not only more bearable, but fun."
Wood also thanked Scott Penner, who she says approached her with the idea of opening the greenhouse back in 2021, along with her family, including her husband, sons, mother and rest of the family.
"For all the support, encouragement and understanding, especially on those extra-long and, sometimes, discouraging days. It means a lot."
She closed out her speech by crediting God's grace for opening doors and pulling together the people that helped bring the vision to life, quoting Hebrews 21:1,2.
"Let us run with endurance, the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."
Non-Profit of the Year
Renowned for its unwavering commitment to the growth and development of children, the Kiddie Sunshine daycare has been recognized for the impact it has on the community.
"It's super exciting to be able to get a prestigious award like this," said Board Chair Nicole Friesen.
"It was nice to be acknowledged," added Patty Klassen, the daycare's Director. "The Board did such a good job with our whole building committee, fund raising and getting the community engaged and involved."
The organization's impact has greatly increased since opening a second location last fall.
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"As a mom of four kids, I would have never been able to return to work without childcare," said Friesen, speaking from person experience. "So, if we can do that for 150 families, I feel like we have a significant impact."
This expansion not only allows the daycare to meet the growing demand for high-quality early childhood education but also opens up new spaces and programs, giving more children the opportunity to thrive in a supportive, enriching environment.
As the organization aims to open up more spots in the new facility as more staff comes on board, the Board of Directors is turning its attention to upgrades at the Centre Ave. location in order for that space to better suit the needs.