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County Achievement Awards
Franklin County

Michael Cohen and Chia Collins,
Lightlife Foods, Inc.

Michael Cohen, CEO, founded Lightlife Foods in 1979. He has been actively involved at upper levels of management in various aspects of the food business for the past 28 years as a partner in a vegetarian restaurant in Amherst and later as a founding partner in New England Soy Dairy, Inc. in Greenfield. Chia Collins, President and COO, joined Michael at Lightlife in its first year. Her background in early childhood development and strengths in strategic planning and organizational systems have played a key role in the rapid growth and profitability of Lightlife over the years.

Lightlife foods is the leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of premium, refrigerated natural meat alternatives in the United States. The company’s mission is to enhance people’s health and well being by providing delicious, convenient foods based on vegetable protein. The company has been a leader in promoting the health benefits of soy for 21 years. Lightlife has experienced significant growth in recent years as net sales have grown form $8.1 million in 1996 to an estimated $25 million this year. Starting off in a 1000 square foot, ex-car wash, the company now operates out of a 60,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility. In July of this year the company was acquired by ConAgra Inc., the second largest branded food company in America. The company will stay in Turners Falls and Chia and Michael will continue in their respective roles in the company.