WASHINGTON, DC – The United Fresh Produce Association is now accepting nominations for the 2014 United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Awards Program. The program will honor 25 outstanding retail produce managers at the United Fresh 2014 convention June 10-13 in Chicago.
The Retail Produce Manager Awards Program pays special recognition to produce managers on the front line in supermarkets working everyday to increase sales and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Established in 2005, this will mark the 10th year of the program, which has been generously supported by founding sponsor Ready Pac Foods, Inc.
Since the program’s inception, 200 produce managers from 70 different retail banners have been honored for their commitment to customer satisfaction, innovative merchandising, produce-related community outreach, and recognition among company peers. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2014 program; nomination forms may be accessed online and must be received by February 28, 2014.
“This program is an incredible opportunity for retailers everywhere to put forth their top produce managers as a chance for them to be recognized as leaders in their field,” said Chairman of United’s Retail-Foodservice Board Randy Scott, Category Manager Produce for Delhaize America. “For the winning produce managers, this is more than an award. This is an affirmation of their hard work and a thank you for their tremendous commitment to our industry.”
This year, 25 award winners, along with their corporate produce directors, will receive complimentary airfare, hotel accommodations and registrations to the United Fresh 2014 convention. The winners will be honored at the Produce Celebration Gala on Wednesday, June 11, where five grand prize winners will be announced as recipients of an additional $1,000 cash prize.
“Ready Pac takes great pride in recognizing the industry’s leading produce managers through this program,” said Tony Sarsam, CEO of Ready Pac Foods, Inc. “These men and women are the face of our industry to the consumer and we greatly appreciate their exceptional work and commitment.”
“It has been amazing to see the growth of this program and the positive impact it has had, not only on the winners, but on their companies, and the broader retail and produce industries,” said Victoria Backer, United Fresh senior vice president of member services, foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to Ready Pac for their support of this program over the past ten years and look forward to making 2014 a spectacular experience.”
Click here for more information about the program, including selection criteria and a list of winners since 2005, or contact Shannon Young, United Fresh education manager, at syoung@unitedfresh.org or 202-303-3405.
Source: United Fresh Produce Association
