The produce industry’s top young leaders will be honored in the June magazine and at the New York Produce Show in December.
BOCA RATON, FL — Produce Business magazine is now accepting nominations for its annual 40-Under-Forty Awards, which recognize the best and brightest young leaders from the produce industry.
The deadline for submission is May 1. Honorees will be chosen based on their professional accomplishments, demonstrated leadership and industry and community contributions. To be eligible, nominees must be under the age of 40 as of June 1, 2025.
Winners will be featured in the June issue of Produce Business and honored with plaques during the Rising Star Reception at the New York Produce Show and Conference, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary Dec. 2-4 in Midtown Manhattan.
“The 40-under-Forty awards celebrate those who are both driving innovation in produce and charting its future,” says Ken Whitacre, CEO of Phoenix Media Network and Publisher of Produce Business. “Of all the awards campaigns we run every year – Marketing Excellence, Best Independent Retailer and Retail Sustainability among them – this is perhaps our most significant because of the magnitude of impact these young leaders will have in years to come.”
Past recipients include some of the produce industry’s most influential executives, managers and professionals from across a range of sectors – retail, wholesale, foodservice, marketing, sales, procurement and operations. The 2025 Class will be selected based on submissions from their supervisors and peers, those who believe their contributions are worthy of recognition as rising stars.
Those wanting to submit a nomination can fill out the form on ProduceBusiness.com. Once nominated, candidates will receive another form from Produce Business asking them to fill out basic profile information. Then an interview process will begin, and finalists will be judged based on their accomplishments. Each candidate requires only one nomination.
Produce Business, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary of publication this October, has been honoring 40-under-Forty winners for more than 20 years. The magazine continues to set the standard for initiating industry improvement, while helping to promote and foster discussions on marketing, merchandising, management and procurement.
For more information or questions about the awards process, please email: editor@producebusiness.com
Media Contact
Chris Burt, Director of Editorial and Content Strategy for Phoenix Media Network, at 561-994-1118 or cburt@phoenixmedianet.com.
About Phoenix Media Network
Headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., Phoenix Media Network has provided industry-leading insight across the fresh food and perishables industry for nearly four decades. Founded in 1985, Phoenix Media has grown exponentially. It boasts the signature New York Produce Show and Conference as well as supporting publications, Produce Business, ProduceBusinessUK.com, Deli Business, Cheese Connoisseur and PerishableNews.com.
