Sargento Welcomes Back to College Season with Forbes Award: Named One of America's Best Employers for New Grads 2026

The family-owned company marks the fall semester with national honor celebrating its culture of growth and development for early-career professionals.

PLYMOUTH, Wis., Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As college students head back to campus for the fall semester, Sargento is proud to announce it has been named by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers for New Grads 2026. This prestigious accolade highlights the family-owned company's dedication to fostering a workplace where recent graduates can thrive, grow, and make a meaningful impact from day one.

The Forbes ranking was determined through an independent survey of over 100,000 U.S. young professionals (under 10 years of experience) working at companies employing at least 1,000 people. Out of 2 million evaluations, scores were based on direct employee nominations and public recommendations from industry peers.

The recognition marks the second major Forbes honor for Sargento in 2026. Earlier this year, Sargento was named to the Forbes list of America's Best Midsize Employers, solidifying its reputation as an employer of choice across all career stages.

"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 contribute at a high level and bring new ideas and ways of working to Sargento," said Louie Gentine, third-generation Chairman and CEO of Sargento. "Being recognized by Forbes as a top employer for both new graduates and midsize companies in America is an incredible honor. It shows that the culture we have built over generations continues to drive our success and makes Sargento a place where you can start and grow your career."

2026 Survey Highlights Strong Talent Pipeline   

Sargento's recognition is reinforced by the standout results of its 2026 Intern-Co-Op Survey*, which evaluated program performance, environment, and development:

• 100% Program Advocacy: 100% of respondents stated they would recommend the Sargento internship or co-op experience to others.
• 100% Fair Compensation Perception: 100% of participants agreed they are paid fairly for their work and contributions.
• High Career Intent: 95% of interns and co-ops expressed a desire to accept a full-time, entry-level opportunity with Sargento upon graduation.
• Exceptional Overall Quality: 95% rated their overall internship experience positively, supported by high marks for program leadership (100%), onboarding (91%), and skill-building projects (91%).

*The 2026 Intern-Co-Op Survey included 21 interns and co-ops, with a 100% participation rate.

"We don't view our interns and co-ops as temporary team members. We view them as the future of our business," said Anne Troka, Senior Manager of Community and Workforce Development at Sargento. "Seeing 95% of our 2026 cohort express a desire to stay with us full-time, alongside a 100% recommendation rating, proves that our focus on structured mentorship and high-impact work is creating a meaningful launchpad for early careers."

Sargento's Workforce Development program, which spans 21 distinct internship tracks across the organization, launched in 2016. Over the past decade, Sargento has established itself as an industry leader in connecting students to careers and transforming new graduates into long-term employees.

In 2026, the company welcomed its 50th student employee into a full-time role since 2016. The longevity of this program is reflected in its people. One of Sargento's earliest student hires from 2017 remains with the company today, with many of these employees choosing to grow their careers at Sargento for five years or more.

That focus on mentorship and real-world responsibility resonates with program participants.

"The most meaningful part of my internship was being surrounded by incredible mentors who encouraged my growth while trusting me with projects that allowed me to make real impact," said Carter Parker, Consumer Insights Intern, University of Michigan.

Looking ahead to the next class of leaders, applications are now open for 2027 internship and co-op programs at Sargento. To explore early-career opportunities, visit: careers.sargento.com/us/en/students

To discover how the family culture at Sargento drives meaningful impact for its people and communities, view the 2025 Impact Report here: https://www.sargentofoods.com/our-stories/real-impact-report/

About Sargento
With over 2,500 employees and $1.7 billion in net sales, Sargento is a family-owned company that has been a leader in cheese for more than 70 years. Founded in 1953 in Plymouth, Wisconsin, Sargento is proud to be the company that successfully introduced America to pre-packaged sliced and shredded natural cheeses and cheese blends. Today, Sargento is still based in Wisconsin, where they manufacture and market amazing shredded, sliced and snack natural cheese products, as well as ingredients. Company leadership lives to serve local communities and employees, whom they refer to as the Sargento Family. www.sargento.com

SOURCE Sargento