The United Fresh Produce Association evaluates more than 100 nominations each year to select the 25 winners of its retail produce manager awards program, and members of the organization find the process is rewarding for them as well as for the honorees.
“We absolutely enjoy the stories of every nomination that comes in because you can really understand the passion of the produce manager, just reading what they have to say and how they’re answering specific questions on the nomination,” said Mary Coppola, vice president of marketing and communications for United Fresh.
Once winners have been chosen, United Fresh representatives visit each one in his or her store. Often the whole store team gets involved to celebrate the winner, and members of the corporate produce team generally attend as well. Coppola notes that the presentation also invites recognition from community members about the important role of the produce manager.
Spencer Crawford, industry relations manager for United Fresh, has been making his first store visits for the program, still being relatively new to the organization.
“I’ve immediately kind of fallen in love with it,” Crawford said. “For me, just kind of seeing the emotion from these produce managers — they’re kind of where the rubber meets the road essentially in the produce industry, and so they don’t get as much recognition as they probably deserve, and so when you come in and tell them about this great award they’re receiving and how they were chosen over 100 or so nominations ... you see how emotional they are, it kind of shakes you up as well. It’s really great.”
The main prize for recipients is a trip to United Fresh’s conference and expo in June to hear about industry trends, see new products, network and more. This year United Fresh is recognizing the produce managers at the conclusion of the tradeshow with an event that is open to all attendees.
“We really hope that that allows us to give them maximum visibility and accolades onstage with our industry,” Coppola said.
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