WASHINGTON, D.C. – United Fresh is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program. This program recognizes 25 outstanding retail produce managers for their innovative merchandising, produce-related community outreach, increased store sales and recognition among company peers.
The Retail Produce Manager Awards Program sponsored by Dole Food Company and now in it’s 13th year, pays special recognition to produce managers on the front line in supermarkets working every day to increase sales and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
“This program is a powerful way for retailers to recognize their outstanding produce managers for their hard work and commitment to the industry,” said Greg Corrigan, Senior Director of Produce and Floral for Raley’s Family of Fine Stores and Chairman of United Fresh’s Retail-Foodservice Board. “The winning produce managers are recognized as leaders in their field and excellent representatives of the produce industry for our customers. We have made this a very important aspect of staff development at Raley’s.”
25 award winners, along with their corporate produce directors, will receive complimentary airfare, hotel accommodations and registration to United Fresh 2017, taking place June 13-15
in Chicago. The winners will be honored at the Retail-Foodservice Celebration Dinner on Thursday, June 15, where five grand prize winners will be announced as recipients of an additional $1,000 cash prize.
“Dole, like all members of United Fresh that grow and farm fresh produce, wouldn’t be successful without the knowledge, passion and day-to-day dedication of the produce manager,” said Howard Roeder, President of Dole Fresh Vegetables “They stand on the front line of our industry and represent our products to the shopper. For that we are very grateful.”
Since the program’s inception, nearly 300 produce managers from more than 90 different retail banners have been honored. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 program. Nomination forms may be accessed online at www.unitedfresh.org/rma and must be received by Friday January 6, 2017.
For more information about the program, including selection criteria and a list of past winners since 2005 visit, www.unitedfresh.org/rma, or contact Jeff Oberman, United Fresh Vice President of Trade Relations at joberman@unitedfresh.org or 831-600-8922.
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About United Fresh Produce Association
Founded in 1904, the United Fresh Produce Association serves companies at the forefront of the global fresh and fresh-cut produce industry, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and Western Regional office in Salinas, Calif., United Fresh and its members work year-round to make a difference for the produce industry by driving policies that increase consumption of fresh produce, shaping critical legislative and regulatory action, providing scientific and technical leadership in food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and health, and developing educational programs and business opportunities to assist member companies in growing successful businesses. For more information, visit www.unitedfresh.org or call 202-303-3400.
About Dole Food Company
As one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, Dole Food Company, Inc., is proud to honor the Produce Managers who are driven to make a difference in our industry and the communities in which they live. For more information, visit www.dole.com.
Source: United Fresh Produce Association
