Lundberg Family Farms, the nation’s leading producer of organic rice and rice products, is a 2011 recipient of theResponsible Packaging Awardfor its use of 100% recycled paperboard with 65% post-consumer recycled content packaging.

The bi-annual Responsible Packaging Awards recognize organic and natural industry achievements and innovations in environmentally responsible packaging, including materials reduction, the use of 100% post-consumer recycled, non-Genetically Modified Organism (GMO), compostable and third-party certified packaging, and packaging that is returnable for reuse and easily recycled or reused by the end user. Nominees for the Responsible Packaging Award were evaluated based on criteria in three areas: commitment to transparency, extended producer responsibility, and ecological systems design principles, with a strong focus on achieving zero waste.

“Sustainability is good business,” says Grant Lundberg, chief executive officer of the family-owned rice producer and a member of the Lundberg family’s third generation of rice farmers. “It is a core value of our company reflected in every aspect of our operations. Responsible packaging is a big part of our philosophy that includes treating the land, our employees, our communities and our consumers with respect.”

The Awards are co-sponsored by the Responsible Packaging Project, a non-profit collaboration of the Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Association, Independent Natural Foods Retailers Association, National Cooperative Grocers Association, New Hope Natural Media, Organic Trade Association, United Natural Foods Inc. and Whole Foods Market’s Green Mission. Lundberg received the award on September 24, 2011 at Natural Products Expo East, held in Baltimore, MD.