Awards & Recognition
While we feel truly blessed to be able to do this work, we take great pride in our
accomplishments and are honored to have been recognized for them over the
years. Below is a listing of some of the awards we’re most proud of.
Awards & Recognition
Co-Founder Caryl Levine was an honoree of Inc. Magazine 2025 Female Founders 500, a list of the most inspiring women in business, in recognition of her leadership in regenerative farming and supporting family rice farms worldwide.
CEO Andrew Burke was recognized on the 2025 MO 100 Top Impact CEO Ranking.
President/COO, Andrew Burke, is promoted to CEO.
Co-Founders Caryl Levine and Ken Lee will remain in their board seats and as visionaries focused on expanding the mission to change the way rice is grown globally.
Co-Founders Caryl Levine and Ken Lee recognized on the 2023 MO 100 Top Impact CEO Ranking.
Co-Founders and Co-CEOs Caryl Levine and Ken Lee were recognized on the 2022 MO 100 Top Impact CEO Ranking.
Chronicle Books publishes Lotus Foods' first cookbook - RICE IS LIFE.
Caryl Levine, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, was selected to the Real Leaders 100 Women in Impact, which recognizes 100 women who are leading the way towards a brighter future.
Organic Basmati qualified for Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) Silver.
Organic Basmati Rice was a NEXTY finalist "Best New Organic Food category" (Spark Change).
Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, Ken Lee and Caryl Levine, named MO 100 Top Impact CEOs by Big Path Capital.
Fresh Market selected Lotus Foods as the “Best Mission-Driven Company”
- Organic Rice Ramen Soup Cups NEXTY Award “Best Supply Chain Partnership Represented" (Natural Products Expo West)
- Two Specialty Food Association sofi™ Awards - Gold for Organic Dehraduni Basmati Rice; Silver for Organic Forbidden® Pad Thai Rice Noodles
Ecovia Intelligence selected Lotus Foods as runner up for the Sustainable Pioneer Award (Sustainable Food Summit)
Lotus Foods received the inaugural National Co+op Grocers Climate Collaborative Award for Outstanding Value Chain Engagement
Recognized for Environmental Stewardship at the Whole Foods Market Supplier Awards for implementing More Crop Per Drop® (SRI) and B Corp certification
Ken Lee, Co-Founder/Co-Owner of Lotus Foods, received the Specialty Foods Association Leadership Award for Citizenship (Winter Fancy Food Show)
- Lotus Foods together with REBBL received the first NEXTY Gold Award for “...upholding industry values and epitomizing what it means to have integrity, innovation and inspiration"
- Conscious Company Media selected Co-Founders Ken Lee and Caryl Levine to receive their first ever Leadership for Global Impact Award, recognizing leaders using the power of business as a force for positive change
- The Global Sourcing Council (GSC) named Lotus Foods 2nd place in the category of Social Impact via Technology Innovation
- Organic Rice Delight was a NEXTY finalist "Best New Sweet Snack" (Expo East)
- Organic Dehraduni Basmati Rice was a NEXTY finalist "Best New Mission-Based Product" (Expo East)
Organic Red Rice was the winner of a NEXTY Award "Best New Organic Food" (Expo East)
Millet & Brown Rice Ramen sofi™ Award "Outstanding Vegan or Gluten-Free product" (NASFT)
"Caryl Levine, co-founder/co-owner of Lotus Foods, was presented with the Specialty Foods Association Leadership Award for Vision at the 2014 Winter Fancy Food Show."
- Forbidden Rice® sofi™ Award "Outstanding Classic Product" (NASFT)
Outstanding USDA-certified Organic Product sofi™ Award, NASFT: Organic Brown Mekong Flower Rice™
Outstanding Diet and Lifestyle sofi™ Award, NASFT: Organic Brown Mekong Flower Rice™
Outstanding USDA Certified Organic sofi™ Award, NASFT: Organic Volcano Rice™
"Outstanding Classic; Finalist sofi™ Awards, National Association of the Specialty Foods Trade (NASFT): Forbidden Rice®"
Outstanding Pasta, Rice or Grain Finalist sofi™ Awards, National Association of the Specialty Foods Trade (NASFT): Organic Jade Pearl Rice™
Outstanding Non-Food Specialty Item Finalist, sofi™ Awards, National Association of the Specialty Foods Trade (NASFT): Stainless Steel Rice Cooker.
Outstanding Pasta, Rice or Grain Finalist, National Association of the Specialty Foods Trade (NASFT): Brown Kalijira Rice.
Outstanding Pasta, Rice or Grain Finalist, National Association of the Specialty Foods Trade (NASFT): Carnaroli Rice
Outstanding Foodservice Product Finalist, National Association of the Specialty Foods Trade (NASFT): Forbidden Rice®
Outstanding Product LineFinalist, National Association of the Specialty Foods Trade (NASFT): Forbidden Rice®, Organic Red Rice,Kalijira Rice, Brown Kalijira
- Best Pasta, Grain, or Cereal Finalist, Canadian Association of Specialty Foods (CASF)
- Outstanding New Product Finalist, National Association of the Specialty Foods Trade (NASFT): Forbidden Rice® Flour
Forbidden Rice® wins their first Specialty Foods sofi™ Award