Jul 2, 2009 2:42 PM

Darden Restaurants Inc has announced the recipients of its annual William B Darden Distinguished Supplier Awards.

Named for the company’s late founder, the awards recognize a select group of more than 1,500 suppliers from around the world who “go above and beyond” to contribute to the success of the company. Selected by Darden’s culinary, purchasing, total quality, and marketing teams, recipients were recognized at a dinner in Orlando FL recently.

“Supplying more than 1,700 restaurants throughout North America with more than $7 billion in annual sales requires an enormous amount of teamwork and collaboration,” said Barry Moullet, Darden’s senior vice-president of supply chain.

This year, 11 companies were recognized:

•Basix Restaurant Services, a division of Armada Supply Chain Solutions

•Bakers Pride Oven Company, part of the Standex Cooking Solutions Group, Standex International

•Lotito Foods Inc

•Louisa Food Products Inc

•Potandon Produce

•Save On Seafood

•T Marzetti

•Taste It Presents Inc

•Thai Union Seafood

•Tom Cat Bakery Inc

•Tyson Prepared Foods (Tyson Foods Inc)

Headquartered in Orlando and employing 180,000 people, Darden owns and operates more than 1,700 restaurants that generate $7 billion in annual sales.