United Fresh Calls for 2017 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program Nominations

United Fresh is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program. This program recognizes 25 outstanding retail produce managers for their innovative merchandising, produce-related community outreach, increased store sales and recognition among company peers.

Now in its 13th year, The Retail Produce Manager Awards Program sponsored by Dole Food Company, pays special recognition to produce managers on the front line in supermarkets working every day to increase sales and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. 

“This program is a powerful way for retailers to recognize their outstanding produce managers for their hard work and commitment to the industry,” says Greg Corrigan, senior director of produce and floral for Raley’s Family of Fine Stores and chairman of United Fresh’s Retail-Foodservice Board. “The winning produce managers are recognized as leaders in their field and excellent representatives of the produce industry for our customers. We have made this a very important aspect of staff development at Raley’s.”

The 25 award winners, along with their corporate produce directors, will receive complimentary airfare, hotel accommodations and registration to United Fresh 2017, which will be June 13-15

in Chicago. The winners will be honored at the Retail-Foodservice Celebration Dinner on June 15, where five grand prize winners will be announced as recipients of an additional $1,000 cash prize.

“Dole, like all members of United Fresh that grow and farm fresh produce, wouldn’t be successful without the knowledge, passion and day-to-day dedication of the produce manager,” says Howard Roeder, president of Dole Fresh Vegetables “They stand on the front line of our industry and represent our products to the shopper. For that we are very grateful.”

Since the program’s inception, nearly 300 produce managers from more than 90 different retail banners have been honored. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 program. Nomination forms may be accessed online and must be received by Friday January 6, 2017.