Michael Cohen, CEO of Lightlife Foods, and Chia Collins, President and COO of Lightlife Foods, received the County Achievement award for Franklin County at the first annual induction dinner of the Western Massachusetts Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame on October 5. The Hall of Fame is located at the Springfield Enterprise Center in the Springfield Technical Community College Technology Park.

Cohen 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 a founding partner in New England Soy Dairy in Greenfield. Chia Collins, president and COO, joined Cohen at Lightlife in its first year. Her background in early childhood development and strengths in strategic planning and organizational systems played a key role in the rapid growth and profitability of Lightlife over the years.

Lightlife, located in Turner's Falls, 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's products are sold under a variety of brand names such as Smart Dogs, Smart Deli, Smart Ground, Tofu Pups, and Gimme Lean. Lightlife has experienced significant growth in recent years as net sales have grown from $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, to ensure a continued leadership role in the category, the company was acquired by ConAgra Inc., the second largest branded food company in America. The company will stay in Turners Falls, and Collins and Cohen will continue in their respective roles in the company.