Elk Grove Milling honored as the Chamber’s Business of the Year during its Leadership Recognition Banquet and Installation of Officers and Directors on January 12. 

The Business of the Year award is made annually by the Chamber to a member business that demonstrates leadership in its business practices and in the community.  “Both the company and its owners have proven to be a benefit to the business community and the community at large and lives up to all of the criteria set forth for this award,” state Gregg Mason, outgoing Chamber Board Chair, in presenting the award.

Elk Grove Milling, owned and operated by Bob and Lisa Lent, was founded in Elk Grove 25 years ago to provide quality well-balance horse feed.  The operation started with six employees in 1982, but now has almost 30 full time and two part time employees.  The company provides a full compliment of full time benefits such as medical, dental and retirement. 

In addition to providing cost effective products, the company has made many changes to the way it manufactures it s products in order to protect the environment.  It was honored by the Business Environmental Resource Center with a Pollution Prevention Award in 2003 for developing a delivery system for its products that allows customers to recycle the product containers, eliminating the contribution of paper packaging to landfills.  The company has also reduced its energy requirement by two-thirds, while tripling its production.

Elk Grove Milling has generously supplied its products to a variety of local community organizations and events, including the Chamber’s Salute to the Red, White & Blue, the Holiday Light Parade, and Shop Elk Grove; the Harvest Festival, the Strauss Festival and the Western Festival and is a sustaining supporter of Project Ride by providing feed for the horses at no charge.

As individuals, Bob and Lisa Lent have been heavily involved with Elk Grove’s growth and with service to the community.  Both have contributed to the success of Chamber programs, with Lisa serving on the Chamber’s Board of Directors.