Deadline is Friday to nominate for Retail Produce Manager Awards
Nominations for the United Fresh Produce Association’s Retail Produce Manager Awards Program need to be turned in by the end of this week — Friday, Jan. 8.
The program honors 25 of the industry’s top produce managers each year, highlighting their accomplishments and celebrating them at United’s annual convention and expo.
All 25 winners and their corporate produce executives receive free airfare, hotel accommodations and registration to the event. Five grand prize winners also receive $1,000.
The nomination form includes opportunities to call out produce managers for excellent work in the following areas:
- Innovative merchandising, special displays and programs — Examples: Holiday and seasonal commodity promotions, campaigns with Produce For Kids or Have a Plant, etc.
- Produce-related community service or outreach — Examples: School tours, community service projects, adopt-a-school programs, etc.
- Recognition and performance within company — Examples: Increased sales or movement in their store, company awards, increased responsibility, management training programs, etc.
- Customer service and fresh produce promotion — Examples: Customer feedback, store manager or corporate staff testimonials, online reviews like Google or Yelp, etc.
Photos and other supporting materials can also be included in nominations. Nominees must have corporate approval to participate in the program and attend United’s convention along with a corporate produce executive.
Check out interviews with several of last year's winners at the following links:
VIDEO: Brookshire's Freddie Dowell talks Retail Produce Manager Award — "Man, I was smiling so hard I couldn’t even speak," Dowell said. "Felt like my face was cracking. I was thrilled. I never thought I would be getting this award, but I’m blessed to be where I’m at with the company and I really appreciate it.”
Oceana's Jaleisha Freeman talks Retail Produce Manager Award — “People have reached out to me from stores that I started at, the store that I interned at, my last store and then now here, so it’s just nice to know the impact that we make as a whole team,” Freeman said.
Giant's John Hollenden talks Retail Produce Manager Award — “I knew I was nominated, but I just didn’t think there was a shot at it,” said Hollenden, who started his career in produce when he was just 16 years old. “Very honored to be selected, one in 25 across the country. It’s pretty much a highlight of my long career.”
Rouses Markets' Josh Smith talks Retail Produce Manager Award — "Josh exemplifies what it is to be a servant leader," said Rob Ybarra, director of produce for Rouses. "He is a person of high morals, high character, he loves his customers, and he loves his teammates, and they love him. We have customers that go to his store just to see Josh."
Harps Food Stores' Clay Williams talks Retail Produce — “A lot of times when you work in a grocery store you just think you’re just working in a grocery store, but with this whole situation going on across the nation, you really get to see ... you’re supplying a vital need to your community, so I really enjoy that part of it,” Williams said.
VIDEO: Tops Markets' Brad Franklin talks Retail Produce — “Brad has a lot of the classic attributes of a fantastic produce manager," said Jeff Cady, director of produce and floral for Tops. "He’s very passionate, committed. He also is very detail-oriented, good with people."
The Fresh Market's Eddy Queirolo talks Retail Produce Manager Award — “I was very humbled to receive this recognition," Queirolo said. "To me, it’s the equivalent of winning an Oscar for produce managers nationwide.”
