LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — In April, all Schnucks, Logli and Hilander stores participated in Frieda’s first-ever Love Your Produce Manager™ event. The month-long promotion put the spotlight on exemplary customer service in the produce department and recognized the impact the Produce Manager can have on increasing consumers’ consumption of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
From April 8th to May 5th, Schnucks, Logli and Hilander shoppers were invited to vote for their favorite Produce Managers – “American-Idol” style — via their cell phones using a text message poll. By voting, shoppers were also entered into a drawing to win $500 in Schnucks gift cards. Each week throughout the promotion, produce departments featured a different produce category – including Latin specialties, tropical fruits, gourmet veggies and Asian specialties — and hosted free tasting events on Saturdays to share their “fresh expertise” and offer samples.
Gary Bush, Produce Manager at the Schnucks Green River Road store in Evansville, Indiana, was voted by local shoppers as “Schnucks Best Produce Manager” for his outstanding customer service and produce knowledge. Jeanne Belcher, shopper at the Schnucks Dorsett Road store in Maryland Heights, Missouri, was also randomly selected from the pool of voting shoppers as the $500 Schnucks Gift Card Winner.
Love Your Produce Manager™ was created by Frieda’s Inc. in honor of their 50th anniversary. For Frieda's, the supermarket produce manager plays a key role in making specialty produce available to U.S. consumers.
"50 years ago, a produce manager was instrumental to the introduction of Kiwifruit to America," said Karen Caplan, Frieda's President and CEO. "His willingness to listen to a shopper's request and try something new made a difference. Frieda's Inc. brought in the first shipment of New Zealand-grown Kiwifruit at his request, and today, the fruit is a much-loved commodity, available in just about every supermarket across the United States. Even after 50 years, it still starts with the Produce Manager.”
Frieda’s recognized the passion that Schnucks Produce Managers have for giving their shoppers new experiences in the produce department and wanted to recognize their exemplary customer service.
“Our Produce Managers are constantly expanding their knowledge of specialty produce through programs like Frieda’s Love Your Produce Manager™ and Produce University®,” states Mike O’Brien, Vice President of Produce at Schnuck Markets, Inc. “This promotion helped increase engagement between our produce teams and shoppers while introducing some exciting new fruits and veggies.”
Frieda’s Love Your Produce Manager™ continues in 2013 with National Love Your Produce Manager™ Day on April 2, 2013. The event will be officially recognized in the 2013 Chase’s Calendar of Events publication. Frieda's encourages supermarket executives to recognize their produce staff and shoppers to say "hello" to their local produce managers every year on April 2nd, which is Frieda’s anniversary.
Schnuck Markets Inc.
Founded in St. Louis in 1939, Schnuck Markets, Inc. operates 99 stores (including five Logli and six Hilander stores) and 95 in-store pharmacies in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa. Follow Schnucks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Schnucks.About Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s Inc. celebrates 50 years of innovation in fresh produce. Founded in 1962 by Frieda Caplan, Frieda's was the first wholesale produce company in the U.S. to be founded, owned and operated by a woman, and is still a family- and women-owned business today. With the mission of changing the way America eats fruits and vegetables, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 specialty items to U.S. produce departments, including Kiwifruit, Spaghetti Squash, Habanero Peppers, Black Garlic and many more. Learn more at www.friedas.com
Source: Schnuck Markets Inc. / Frieda’s Inc.
