McDonald's USA recently announced that it has selected Peterson Farms, a leading fruit supplier for many of McDonald's restaurants, as the 2012 U.S. Supplier of the Year.

McDonald's revealed the U.S. Supplier of the Year Award at the recent U.S. Supplier Summit, an annual gathering of key U.S. McDonald's suppliers and distributors, held in Schaumburg, Illinois, near its Oak Brook headquarters.

As a trusted McDonald's supplier of apples, cherries, and blueberries, Peterson Farms won the Supplier of the Year Award for being a leader and strategic partner that has helped McDonald's become one of the largest apple purchasers in the U.S.

It also shares best practices and collaborates with other fruit suppliers to create cost savings, enhance product quality, and develop more efficient processes for the benefit of the company's system. Among other examples, when a McDonald's apple supplier on the East Coast lost power in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Peterson Farms jumped in to distribute apples and ensure a seamless suply for the restaurants.

It also achieved 100 percent zero waste to landfill two years ahead of schedule, and were recognized for significant cost savings in sustainability-related costs this year. This is the first time Peterson Farms has been honored as McDonald's Supplier of the Year.

"Peterson Farms' leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to McDonald's system and values make them the best of the best among our many distinguished suppliers," says Dan Gorsky, senior vice president of McDonald's North America Supply Chain. "Their continuous efforts to optimize their productivity, their proactive approach to problem-solving, and their flexibility in meeting business needs demonstrate their dedication to our brand, our franchisees, and our customers."

Earl Peterson, chairman of Peterson Farms, says, "The entire Peterson Farms team is both thankful and truly honored to be recognized for this prestigious award. We value our longstanding relationship with McDonald's and we will continue to work hard every day to support the McDonald's system.

The McDonald's U.S. Supplier of the Year Award is presented annually to the food, paper, or product supplier that makes the most significant impact on, and contribution to, McDonald's U.S. business results from the previous year.

The award criteria includes demonstration of leadership, commitment to quality and sustainable systems, efficient supply processes, optimized pricing, and innovation.