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K-VA-T, Kroger, Meijer Honored for Produce Promotion

Awards recognize businesses’ commitment to increase consumption of produce. The awards recognize the businesses’ commitment to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables.

WGB Staff

January 1, 2018

3 Min Read
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K-VA-T Food Stores, The Kroger Co. and Meijer Inc. are among the top retailers featured in the Produce for Better Health Foundation’s (PBH) list of 14 Fruits & Veggies—More Matters Retail Role Models and Champions for 2017. In recognition for their commitment to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables, the retailers will be formally honored at an awards luncheon on April 6 during PBH’s Annual Conference: The Consumer Connection in Scottsdale, Ariz.

To be considered for these accolades, businesses must demonstrate support for the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters brand by meeting criteria designed to increase brand exposure and community outreach.

“The 2017 Retail Role Models and Champions continue to be strong advocates of the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters brand and national health campaign, as well as the mission of PBH to inspire and activate consumers to eat more fruit and vegetables including fresh, frozen, dried, canned and 100% juice,” Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, president and CEO of Brentwood, Mo.-based PBH, said in a statement. “I’m excited by these retailers’ efforts to increase fruit and vegetable education, awareness and consumption, which strengthens our collective work toward a healthier America.”

PBH has also announced the 2017 Supermarket Dietitians of the Year, 88 Fruits & Veggies—More Matters Industry (Non-Retail) Role Models and Champions for 2017, and the 2017 Ambassadors, who will also be honored at the awards luncheon.

Related:Kroger opens Culinary Innovation Center

In addition to the ability to use the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters logo on products and promotions, PBH provides retailers, dietitians and industry members with health education information and POS materials, including ad slicks and signs, to help promote the brand.

The full list of 2017 Retail Role Models include:

  • K-VA-T Food Stores

  • The Kroger Co.

  • Meijer Inc.

  • Niemann Foods/County Market

  • Redner’s Markets Inc.

  • Robins Air Force Base

  • Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc.

  • Skogen’s Festival Foods

  • SpartanNash

  • Weis Markets Inc.

The 2017 Retail Champions include:

  • Hy-Vee Inc.

  • Schnuck Markets Inc.

  • United Supermarkets

  • Wakefern Food Corp.

The 2017 Supermarket Dietitians of the Year include:

  • Johna Mailolli, Shoprite of Tallman/Inserra Supermarkets

  • Ashley Martinez, The Kroger Co.

  • Hillary Pride, Hannaford Supermarkets

The 2017 Ambassador Excellence Award honorees were selected from a group of 30 PBH Ambassadors who demonstrated the greatest amount of support for PBH throughout the year. The 2017 Ambassador Excellence Award Honorees include:

  • Dionysios Christou, Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A Inc.

  • Charlie Eagle, Southern Specialties

  • Angela Fraser, California Avocado Commission

  • Matt Middleton, Ventura Foods

  • Roger Pepperl, Stemilt Growers LLC

  • Richard Ruiz, Ruiz Sales Inc.

  • Brian Threlfall, Giorgio Fresh Mushrooms

  • Trish Zecca, Campbell Soup Co.

Related:Meijer Chefs Share Produce Picks for Chinese New Year

The full list of 2017 Industry Role Models include:

  • American Frozen Food Institute

  • Apio Inc.

  • Avocados from Mexico

  • Barsotti Family Juice Co.

  • Bayer

  • Black Gold Farms

  • California Avocado Commission

  • California Cling Peach Board

  • California Strawberry Commission

  • Campbell Soup Co.

  • Can Manufacturers Institute

  • Canned Food Alliance

  • Chelan Fresh

  • Del Monte Foods Inc.

  • Del Monte Fresh Produce

  • Domex Superfresh Growers

  • Duda Farm Fresh Foods

  • Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association

  • Giorgio Fresh Co.

  • Green Giant Fresh

  • Grimmway Farms

  • Juice Products Association

  • Market Fresh Produce LLC

  • Monsanto Co.

  • Monterey Mushrooms Inc

  • National Watermelon Promotion Board

  • Natural Delights

  • Naturipe Farms LLC

  • Nestlé USA

  • Okanagan Specialty Fruits

  • Pacific Coast Producers

  • Pear Bureau Northwest

  • Pink Lady America

  • Potatoes USA

  • Produce Business Magazine

  • Produce Marketing Association

  • Red Sun Farms

  • Robinson Fresh

  • Ruiz Sales Inc.

  • Sage Fruit Co.

  • Seneca Foods Corp.

  • Southern Specialties

  • StarKist Co.

  • Stemilt Growers LLC

  • Subway

  • Sunkist Growers Inc.

  • Sun-Maid Growers of California

  • Sysco/FreshPoint

  • Taylor Farms

  • The Morning Star Co.

  • The Oppenheimer Group

  • The Packer

  • The Produce News

  • The Walt Disney Co.

  • U.S. Apple Association

  • Ventura Foods

  • Welch’s

  • Wonderful Citrus

  • Zespri Kiwifruit

Related:Pumping Up Pantry Staples

 The full list of 2017 Industry Champions include:

  • AJ Trucco Inc.

  • Alliance for Food & Farming

  • Bejo Seeds Inc.

  • Blue Book Services Inc.

  • Blue Marble Brands

  • Brothers-All-Natural

  • Chartwells K12 

  • Chilean Fresh Fruit Association

  • Crown Poly Inc.

  • Dave’s Specialty Imports Inc.

  • Dole Food Co.

  • Dole Packaged Foods LLC

  • Driscoll’s

  • Earthbound Farms

  • Josie’s Organics, Braga Fresh Family Farms

  • Mariani Nut Co.

  • Mariani Packing Co. Inc.

  • McDonald’s Corp.

  • McEntire Produce Inc.

  • Melissa's Produce Inc.

  • Michigan Apple Committee

  • Mushroom Council

  • Ocean Mist Farms

  • Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc.

  • Seald Sweet/Greenyard

  • Tanimura & Antle

  • Tree Top Inc.

  • Valley Fig Growers

  • Wish Farms 

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