Twenty-five new names were just added to the produce manager hall of fame, also known as the United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Awards.
To date, the program, sponsored by Dole Food Co., has recognized nearly 300 produce managers from more than 90 retail banners. This is the thirteenth year for the program.
“These men and women do so much to promote the increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, and this gives us an opportunity to recognize that contribution and genuinely say thank you,” said Tim Stejskal, senior vice president of sales for Dole Fresh Vegetables, in a news release.
United Fresh received hundreds of nominations from retailers and produce suppliers across the industry. They were evaluated based on several criteria, including:
- efforts to increase produce consumption;
- excellence in merchandising;
- special displays;
- community service; and
- commitment to customer satisfaction.
“Produce managers are the face of our industry to the consumer,” said Tom Stenzel, CEO of United Fresh, in a news release. “Their creative merchandising and positive approach to customer service directly correlates to the growth of sales and ultimately consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.”
This year’s winners are:
- Luis Fernando Almada, Northgate Gonzalez Market, Los Angeles, CA
- Mike Caceres, Haggen/Albertsons Companies, Olympia, WA
- Mike Davis, FoodMaxx/Save Mart Companies, Oroville, CA
- John Dedie, Tops Friendly Markets, Henrietta, NY
- Michael Dyer, Raley's, Reno, NV
- Stefanie Galeana, Roundy's Pick N Save, Appleton, WI
- Albert Garnett, Stop and Shop/Ahold, Horwich, MA
- Andrew Gass, Sobeys, Moncton, NB, Canada
- Lou Kwisnek, Big Y, Northampton, MA
- Laura Llewellyn, The Food Co-op, Port Townsend, WA
- Dillon Maple, Hy-Vee, Inc., West Des Moines, IA
- Gordon Matthew, Fred Meyer/Kroger, Seattle, WA
- Jack Myers, Weis Markets, Inc., Bellefonte, PA
- Erin Niedbalski, Martin's Super Markets, South Bend, IN
- Patrick Odell, Price Chopper/Golub, Oneonta, NY
- Matt Pace, Lowes Foods Inc., Winston Salem, NC
- Stephanie Peter, DeCA Commissary, Miramar, CA
- Jerod Proctor, Schnucks, Springfield, IL
- Ricky Rommell, Food Lion, Wallace, NC
- Carlo Scafati, Metro Inc., Etobicoke, ON, Canada
- Tim Sexton, Harris Teeter, Chapel Hill, NC
- William Stewart, Food City/K-VA-T, Paintsville, KY
- Tim Wilson, Meijer, Grand Rapids, MI
- Bridget Winkelman, Coborn's Inc., Isanti, MN
- David Wood, Brookshire Grocery Company, El Dorado, AR
All winners, along with their corporate produce directors, will be honored at United Fresh 2017 during the Retail-Foodservice Celebration Dinner on June 15. Five grand prize recipients will receive a $1,000 cash prize at the event.