Vienna, VA – The National Apple Month program has announced winners of its 2011 Retail and Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) Display Contest. Approximately $13,000 in prizes were awarded to entrants who successfully cross-merchandized apples and apple products with featured products from Marzetti®, Smucker’s® and Jif®.
The 2011 theme, “Host an Apple Pairing Party,” aimed to capture the imagination of produce managers, pique consumers’ interest in seasonal pairings, and increase sales of U.S. apples and apple products, says Nancy Foster, president and CEO of the U.S. Apple Association (USApple).
“Our judges were impressed by the multitude of unique displays that creatively paired apples with our sponsors’ ingredients, while incorporating our theme and even offering in-store tastings,” Foster says. “Ultimately, the winning entries demonstrated a display that scored high on all marks, from aesthetics to effectively increasing sales.”
Two first place winners were chosen in each of the following categories:
Retail Division
– 10 or more registers: Hy-Vee Food Store – Council Bluffs, Iowa
– 9 or fewer registers: Hy-Vee – Canton, Ill.
Military DeCA
– Western U.S.: March Air Reserve Base Commissary – Riverside, Calif.
– Eastern U.S.: MidSouth Naval Support Activity Commissary – Millington, Tenn.
Judging took place February 20, 2012, at the USApple headquarters in Vienna, Va. The panel included Mark Gedris, director of membership and communications at USApple, David Fikes, director of consumer and community affairs and social responsibility at the Food Marketing Institute, and Renee A. Buillon, development director at the Produce for Better Health Foundation.
About National Apple Month:
Founded in 1904, National Apple Month is the only national, generic apple promotion in the United States. NAM was created to increase apple industry sales, consumer awareness and usage of apples and apple products.
Source: National Apple Month
