The Packer is seeking nominations for the 2018 Produce Marketer of the Year.
Recipients of The Packer’s Produce Marketer of the Year and Marketer for All Seasons awards, dating to 1972, represent various segments of the industry. Awarded in conjunction with the annual Produce Marketing Association convention, the main qualification is the extent to which candidates have furthered the produce industry’s interest in marketing fresh fruit and vegetables.
The award will be presented at the Oct. 18-20 PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando, Fla.
Send nominations to Tom Karst, editor of The Packer, at tkarst@thepacker.com by the end of September.
Recent winners (titles represent the recipients’ positions in the industry at the time they received the award) include:
- 2017: JOHN SHUMAN: John Shuman, president and owner of Shuman Produce, was named The Packer’s Produce Marketer of the Year.
- 2016, STEVE CHURCH and TOM CHURCH: Steve Church, CEO of Church Brothers Farm, and Tom Church, chairman, were named Produce Marketers for All Seasons for their innovation in fresh produce marketing for retail and foodservice.
- 2015, ROGER PEPPERL: Marketing director for Stemilt Growers LLC, was named Produce Marketer of the Year for his ability to create programs that connect with consumers with products through compelling stories.
- 2014, JEFF DUNN: The president and CEO of Bolthouse Farms, was named Produce Marketer of the Year for his efforts to boost vegetable and fruit consumption by taking marketing cues from junk food and consumer packaged goods.
- 2013, LORRI KOSTER: The CEO for Mann Packing Co., Salinas, Calif., was honored for her ability to bring new products to market and get consumers to eat vegetables.
- 2012, JOHN ANDERSON: The chairman, president and CEO of The Oppenheimer Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, was honored for his contributions to a globalized produce marketplace and his efforts in leadership development.
- 2011, JAN DELYSER: The vice president of the California Avocado Commission was honored for her marketing diligence and acumen.
- 2010, TIM YORK: The president of Salinas, Calif.-based Markon Cooperative was honored for his work regarding food safety.
- 2009, MIKE O’BRIEN: The vice president of produce for St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets Inc. was recognized for his active involvement in industry issues and increasing fresh produce consumption.
- 2008, CATHY BURNS: The chief operating officer of Food Lion LLC, Salisbury, N.C., and chairwoman of the Produce Traceability Initiative Steering Committee, was rewarded for her ongoing work in implementing traceability standards.
