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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
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.
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.
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
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
