Investing in Our Future By Memorializing Our Past Outstanding Achievement Awards Program Sustaining the Memory

R&DA MEMORIAL PROGRAM: The Research & Development Associates awards and scholarships program has been established to honor and sustain the memory of past members who have contributed significantly to the growth and longevity of our organizations. Recipients of these awards are chosen because they exemplify the high standards set forth by those whom the awards are named. The program consists of the following:

COL. ROHLAND A. ISKER AWARD

R&DA is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Rohland A. Isker Award for outstanding contribution to national preparedness in the food, equipment, packaging, food service or related areas.

This award was established to recognize meritorious achievements to National Preparedness in the Areas of Food and Container Research and Development. This contribution might be in the category of basic research, applied research, developmental endeavor, or process improvement. The award will be in recognition of an outstanding achievement recognized or completed during the past twelve months, or for significant achievements over a period of time.

For more information or to submit a nomination, please Click Here.

R&DA HALL OF FAME
1946-2024

These individuals, organizations, and companies have been in the forefront of the remarkable achievements in food, packaging, equipment and foodservice afforded to US Military and the government.  Each has a long listing of noteworthy accomplishments and has demonstrated unselfish service and dedication to providing the finest subsistence support, at the lowest possible price, to our fighting forces.  The members of the Hall of Fame are acknowledged for all their efforts and will be forever remembered for their patriotism, caring, contributions, technical prowess, and humanity.

For a complete list of individuals, government organizations and companies in the Hall of Fame Click Here.

THE SINGER AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF MILITARY FOOD AND PACKAGING.  The Singer Award was retired in April of 2023 to be replaced by THE JOHN Q. MCNULTY AWARD, with the same purpose and criteria for selection.  It is still the highest award for an individual member of R&DA. This award was established to encourage and give recognition for outstanding accomplishments that contribute to the advancement of military food and packaging. 

THE JOHN Q. MCNULTY Award had its inaugural presentation in April 2023 to John Q. McNulty, the Executive Director of R&DA at that time for over ten years.  The award’s first citation stated: This award is hereby established to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of a member of the association who promotes innovative and novel approaches in support of military food and packaging. The award bears the name of John Q. McNulty, who has personified grace, professionalism, dedication, and passion for the welfare of our Warfighters in a career that spans over 40 years of government military and civilian service as well as over 10 years leading R&DA as Executive Director.

COLONEL MERTON SINGER AWARD WINNER
For a full list of the past Singer Award recipients, Click Here.

The award is presented annually to an individual(s) whose firm is a member of R&DA.  The individual(s) selected are nominated for their outstanding contribution to national preparedness in food and container research and development.

JOHN Q. MCNULTY AWARD WINNER
Pictured below is the 2024 recipient Mr. Joe Mancini and his wife Anna. Also pictured is Chairwoman of the Board, Ms. Elva Charles.

2024 U.S. ARMED FORCES MILITARY FOODSERVICE AWARDS

On May 17, 2024, R&DA presented plaques for the 2024 Military In Excellence Foodservice winners at a special ceremony in Chicago.  Information regarding the U.S. Armed Forces Military Foodservice Awards can be found at https://chooserestaurants.org/events/military-foodservice-awards/    

 2024 Military In Excellence Foodservice Presentations