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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING LIFEWAY FOODS
WHEREAS, Cook County proudly recognizes businesses that play a critical role in driving economic growth, innovation, and community vitality within our community; and
WHEREAS, Lifeway Foods, Inc., headquartered in Morton Grove, Illinois with a refrigerated warehouse in Niles, Illinois employs dozens of people in our region as they create, package, prepare and ship probiotic and cultured dairy products around the world from Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Lifeway Foods, Inc. was founded in 1986 by Michael Smolyansky, who immigrated to the United States from the former Soviet Union with the vision of introducing the health benefits of kefir to the American market; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Julie Smolyansky who became CEO at the age of 27 - the youngest female CEO of a publicly traded company at that time - Lifeway Foods, Inc. has continued to expand and excel, achieving significant milestones as a publicly traded company and as an industry leader in innovative, health-focused food and beverage solutions; and
WHEREAS, Lifeway Foods, Inc. has significantly expanded its global footprint, exporting its products to numerous countries, including Mexico, the Caribbean, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and, as a co-packer, Ireland for further distribution in France, thus showcasing our communities as a global leader in health-focused food manufacturing on the international stage; and
WHEREAS, Lifeway Foods, Inc. has demonstrated exceptional financial success, achieving record annual net sales of $160.1 million in 2023, representing a 13.1% year-over-year increase, and reporting a net income of $11.4 million, a substantial rise from $0.9 million in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Maintaining Lifeway's strong and growing presence in Niles and Morton Grove is crucial for preserving the jobs, innovation, and economic benefits the company delivers to Cook County; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Cook County Board...
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