United Fresh Names 25 Retail Produce Manager Award Honorees

Marking its 12^th year of recognizing exceptional retail produce managers, United Fresh Produce Association announced the honorees of its 2016 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program. The group of 25 produce managers represents supermarket banners, commissaries and independent retail stores from 19 different states and two Canadian provinces. The winners will be the honored guests at the United Fresh 2016 convention, June 20-22 in Chicago.

Sponsored by Dole Food Company, the program pays recognition to produce managers working every day on the front line to increase sales and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Since the program began in 2005, nearly 300 retail produce managers, representing more than 90 different retail banners, have been honored for their contributions to the industry.

“Produce managers are the face of our industry to the consumer. Their creative merchandising and positive approach to customer service directly correlates to the growth of sales and ultimately consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables,” says United Fresh CEO Tom Stenzel. “We are grateful to Dole for once again sponsoring this program and for their partnership in recognizing these 25 deserving honorees.”                                                                                                      

The 2016 Retail Produce Manager Award Winners are:

“Dole is proud to once again honor produce managers across North America who are making a daily commitment to the success of our industry,” says Howard Roeder, president of Dole Fresh Vegetables. “These men and women work to ensure the best presentation of fruits and vegetables through creative merchandising, and they are driven to engage and educate customers of all ages at every turn. They truly are the face of our industry, and we’re honored to recognize them with this achievement.”

The winners were selected from hundreds of nominations submitted by retailers and produce suppliers across the industry. Nominations were evaluated on a number of criteria, including efforts to increase produce consumption through excellence in merchandising, special displays and promotions, community service and commitment to customer satisfaction.

All winners, along with their corporate produce directors, will be honored at United Fresh 2016 during the Retail-Foodservice Celebration Dinner on Wednesday, June 22 at the Chicago Marriott. In addition to their awards, five Grand Prize recipients will receive a $1,000 cash prize.