Ready Pac Marks a Decade Sponsorship at United Fresh

Marking its 10th produce managers, Ready Pac Foods is once again sponsoring the United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Awards Program. Since its inception in 2005, Ready Pac has been the exclusive sponsor of the event, which recognizes the best-in-class within the produce industry. Making it even more special this year, the United Fresh Produce Association has decided to honor an additional 10 winners, making it a total of 35 winners representing 32 different supermarket banners and independent retail stores in 20 states. The United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Awards Program recognizes those on the front line in supermarkets working every day to increase sales and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Their commitment to customer satisfaction and promoting fresh produce is what makes them a valuable contribution to the success of the industry. It is no surprise why Ready Pac has been such a huge supporter of the program, and has honored more than 230 retail managers from over 80 different retail banners over the last 10 years. Tony Sarsam, CEO, says, “It is so rewarding to see such hard working men and women who take so much pride in helping our products look their best, while engaging and educating consumers. We certainly understand the importance of their role, and felt as a company that we wanted to recognize their efforts. Ready Pac is very proud to have sponsored the United Fresh Retail Manager Awards Program for last ten years to honor such talented representatives for our industry.” The 2014 Retail Produce Manager Award Winners are: • Gustavo Agillon, Arteaga’s Food Center, Gilroy, CA • Larry Aledo, Food Maxx/Save Mart Supermarkets, Brentwood, CA • Dan Atkinson, Hy-Vee, Inc, Iowa City, IA • Mike Bawol, Tops Markets, Grand Island, NY • Bob Beaudoin, Albertsons, Lemon Grove, CA • Bill Denault, Price Chopper/Golub Corporation, Lenox, MA • Douglas DeWitte, Meijer, Grand Haven, MI • Darin Eversaul, Quality Food Centers, Bellevue, WA • Dan Fabris, Jewel-Osco, Park Ridge, IL • Alice Firkus, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Steven's Point, WI • Garrett Fowden, Payson Market Place, Payson, UT • Joe Gapp, Hy-Vee, Inc, Lincoln, NE • Sal Gentile, A&P, Yorktown, NY • Kenny Hackman, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Fayetteville, AR • Jeff Haines, Fry’s Food & Drug Stores, Phoenix, AZ • Brent Harkleroad, Food City/K-VA-T Food Stores, Kingsport, TN • Luis Huerta, Raley's Family of Fine Stores, Oakley, CA • Gina Johnson, The Kroger Company, Dayton, OH • Bill Logan, Jr., ShopRite, Medford, NJ • Kendall Lopez-Buitrago, MOMs Organic Market, Alexandria, VA • Steve Mendes, Raley's Family of Fine Stores, Turlock, CA • Abel Meza, Northgate González Markets, Barrio Logan, CA • Jason Mooring, Safeway Stores, Marysville, WA • Michele Parks, McClellan Commissary, McClellan, CA • Patty Patino, Save Mart Supermarkets, Truckee, CA • Dick Rose, Metcalfe’s Market, Wauwatosa, WI • Crystal Scherer, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Appleton, WI • Randy Sheets, Food City/K-VA-T Food Stores, Abingdon, VA • Derek Sibley, Oak Point Fresh Market, Watson, LA • John Spellman, Kings Food Markets, Livingston, NJ • Robert Tanaka, Los Angeles AFB Commissary, Los Angeles, CA • Justin Warner, Brookshire Grocery Company, Lindale, TX • Gina Wasilefsky, Big Y Foods, Northampton, MA • Mike Willis, Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Charlotte, NC • Jake Wittman, Weis Markets, Fogelsville, PA The celebration of the 2014 winners of the Retail Produce Manager Awards will commence on the evening of Wednesday, June 11 at the Chicago Hilton. To help mark the 10th Pac’s CEO, Tony Sarsam, will help moderate the event, and personally hand out awards to each recipient during the awards gala.