Sargento Celebrates College Season with Forbes Award for Best Employers for New Graduates 2026
As students return to college campuses this fall, Sargento is excited to announce its recognition by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers for New Graduates in 2026. This prestigious award highlights Sargento's commitment to fostering a workplace environment where young professionals can thrive and make a meaningful contribution from the outset. The family-owned company set out to cultivate a culture that supports the growth and development of early-career professionals, and this honor is a testament to those efforts.
The Forbes recognition is grounded in a comprehensive survey of over 100,000 professionals in the United States who have less than a decade of experience at companies with a workforce of at least 1,000 employees. Out of 2 million evaluations, the rankings were based not only on employees' direct nominations but also on external recommendations from peers within the industry. This accolade marks Sargento's second major recognition from Forbes in 2026, as the company was also honored earlier in the year as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers.
Louie Gentine, Sargento's third-generation Chairman and CEO, expressed his pride in the award, noting, "Our success has always been driven by our employees—the Sargento Family. We are committed to welcoming new graduates and students into our workforce, where they can contribute at a high level and bring fresh ideas and approaches." He further emphasized that receiving recognition from Forbes as a top employer for new graduates alongside being named a top midsize company underscores the longevity and potential of the culture built over generations at Sargento.
Additionally, Sargento's acknowledgment is reinforced by the impressive results of its 2026 Intern-Co-Op Survey, which reflected exceptional program performance and participant satisfaction. The survey highlighted that 100% of respondents would recommend their internship or co-op experience at Sargento to others, and an equal percentage felt they were compensated fairly for their contributions. Notably, 95% expressed interest in pursuing full-time, entry-level positions with Sargento post-graduation, showcasing a strong intention to continue their careers with the company.
Anne Troka, Senior Manager of Community and Workforce Development at Sargento, articulated the company’s philosophy regarding internships, stating, "We don’t view our interns and co-ops as temporary team members. We view them as the future of our business." The feedback from program participants reinforces this approach, with many praising the mentorship and hands-on projects that allow them to create real impact. One intern, Carter Parker, reflected, "The most meaningful part of my internship was being surrounded by incredible mentors who encouraged my growth while trusting me with projects that had real significance."
Since the launch of its Workforce Development program in 2016, Sargento has developed a reputation as a leader in transforming students into long-term employees. In 2026, the company celebrated welcoming its 50th student employee into a full-time position, with many former interns choosing to remain and grow their careers with Sargento for five years or longer.
Looking ahead, Sargento has commenced its application process for the 2027 internship and co-op programs, with hopes of nurturing the next generation of talent. Aspiring applicants can find detailed information regarding early-career opportunities on the Sargento careers website. The family culture that Sargento promotes continues to demonstrate significant, positive impacts for both its employees and the wider community. To learn more about the impact and community engagement efforts of Sargento, the 2025 Impact Report is available for review on their website.
The Forbes recognition is grounded in a comprehensive survey of over 100,000 professionals in the United States who have less than a decade of experience at companies with a workforce of at least 1,000 employees. Out of 2 million evaluations, the rankings were based not only on employees' direct nominations but also on external recommendations from peers within the industry. This accolade marks Sargento's second major recognition from Forbes in 2026, as the company was also honored earlier in the year as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers.
Louie Gentine, Sargento's third-generation Chairman and CEO, expressed his pride in the award, noting, "Our success has always been driven by our employees—the Sargento Family. We are committed to welcoming new graduates and students into our workforce, where they can contribute at a high level and bring fresh ideas and approaches." He further emphasized that receiving recognition from Forbes as a top employer for new graduates alongside being named a top midsize company underscores the longevity and potential of the culture built over generations at Sargento.
Additionally, Sargento's acknowledgment is reinforced by the impressive results of its 2026 Intern-Co-Op Survey, which reflected exceptional program performance and participant satisfaction. The survey highlighted that 100% of respondents would recommend their internship or co-op experience at Sargento to others, and an equal percentage felt they were compensated fairly for their contributions. Notably, 95% expressed interest in pursuing full-time, entry-level positions with Sargento post-graduation, showcasing a strong intention to continue their careers with the company.
Anne Troka, Senior Manager of Community and Workforce Development at Sargento, articulated the company’s philosophy regarding internships, stating, "We don’t view our interns and co-ops as temporary team members. We view them as the future of our business." The feedback from program participants reinforces this approach, with many praising the mentorship and hands-on projects that allow them to create real impact. One intern, Carter Parker, reflected, "The most meaningful part of my internship was being surrounded by incredible mentors who encouraged my growth while trusting me with projects that had real significance."
Since the launch of its Workforce Development program in 2016, Sargento has developed a reputation as a leader in transforming students into long-term employees. In 2026, the company celebrated welcoming its 50th student employee into a full-time position, with many former interns choosing to remain and grow their careers with Sargento for five years or longer.
Looking ahead, Sargento has commenced its application process for the 2027 internship and co-op programs, with hopes of nurturing the next generation of talent. Aspiring applicants can find detailed information regarding early-career opportunities on the Sargento careers website. The family culture that Sargento promotes continues to demonstrate significant, positive impacts for both its employees and the wider community. To learn more about the impact and community engagement efforts of Sargento, the 2025 Impact Report is available for review on their website.
Topics People & Culture）
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