Celebrate the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Award Winners Revolutionizing Retail

WASHINGTON – Top execs driving retail innovation – the winners of International Fresh Produce Association’s Retail Merchant Innovation Award – will be recognized at the Retail Awards Reception on Oct. 17 at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, CA.  

“This year’s winners exemplify how innovation and passion can transform the retail experience and inspire consumers to choose more fresh produce,” said Joe Watson, IFPA Vice President of Retail, Foodservice & Wholesale. “Their leadership is not only elevating their companies but also moving the entire industry forward.”

IFPA awarded winners in five store-count categories: 

Michelle Mayhew, Dorothy Lane Market (1-50 stores), Director of Produce, Dayton, Ohio
Michelle has 45 years of experience, with 20+ years at Dorothy Lane Market. Michelle’s passion has always been merchandising, she loves the variety of colors and texture of produce, and views produce merchandising as an art form. When she found her home at Dorothy Lane Market, they enabled her to be a freelance merchandiser, which was a dream for Michelle, allowing her to bring her artistic visions to life. She credits Norman and Calvin Mayne for where she is today because of their faith in her.

Richard Anderson, Smith’s (51-150 stores), Director of Produce, Salt Lake City, Utah 
Richard started with Smith’s in 2003 and has held many positions at store and division office levels throughout his career with the majority of his time working in Produce. He has always aimed to approach his job and the business with the customers’ best interests in mind and incorporating the feedback they provide to improve on opportunities to serve their communities. Staying ahead of the game and being open to innovative ideas have helped him improve as a leader while exceeding company goals.  

Scott Bennett, Jewel-Osco (151-200 stores), Produce Sales Manager, Itasca, Ill.
Scott Benett has over 40 years of experience in produce, dedicating his career to delivering exceptional quality, driving sales, and elevating the customer experience. He leads with passion and creativity, consistently pushing the boundaries of traditional retail strategies. He is known for his trustworthy leadership, always delivering on commitments and building strong partnerships that help the produce industry grow and thrive. His forward-thinking approach has transformed how customers engage with produce, driving significant sales growth and strengthening Jewel’s position as a marketplace leader. 

Michael Collins, Harris Teeter (251-399 stores), Senior Manager of Produce Operations, Matthews, N.C.
Michael Collins oversees produce and floral specialists, merchandising strategies, and store execution. With more than two decades of experience in store management, operations, and merchandising, he is recognized for driving sales growth, improving efficiency, and developing high-performing teams. He has led initiatives on fixture design, department optimization, and operational process improvements, always with a focus on accountability, customer experience, and increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Danielle Hudgick, Sprouts (400+ stores), Sr. Category Manager, Phoenix, Ariz.
Danielle Hudgick oversees sourcing, merchandising and strategy for avocados, citrus and stone fruit. She has built a reputation for collaborative leadership, data-driven decision making, and a focus on organic growth. She is passionate about innovation and driving sustainable growth in produce.

“Congratulations to these innovative retail execs for demonstrating remarkable creativity and dedication to advancing the industry and setting a new standard of excellence in produce marketing,” Watson said. “We look forward to seeing the continued impact of their unique strategies.”

About the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain and the only to seamlessly integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. We exist to bring the industry together to create a vibrant future for all. We grow our members’ prosperity by conducting advocacy, connecting people and ideas; and offering guidance that allows us all to take action with purpose and confidence. IFPA represents member companies from small family businesses to the largest international corporations throughout the global fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.