United Fresh Awards Five Grand Prize Winners
Marking its sixteenth year recognizing exceptional retail produce managers, United Fresh Produce Association today honored its 2020 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program winners during the Retail-Foodservice LIVE! General Session.
The group of 25 produce managers represents supermarket banners, commissaries and independent retail stores from 16 different states and Canada. Sponsored by Dole Food Company, the program pays special recognition to produce managers working every day on the front line to increase sales and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Since the program’s inception in 2005, more than 325 retail produce managers, representing more than 110 different retail banners, have been honored for their contributions to the industry.
“As the face of our industry in store, retail produce managers play a significant role in influencing a consumer’s decision to shop for fresh produce,” said Tom Stenzel, President and CEO, United Fresh Produce Association.
“More so than ever before, we are extremely fortunate to have these outstanding produce managers representing our industry and working each day to deliver a positive customer experience in the produce department during the coronavirus pandemic. We’re especially grateful for their resolve in the face of this public health crisis.” United Fresh and Dole Food Company honored five exceptional retail produce managers with the $1,000 Grand Prize honor.
Those recipients are:
- Ricky Morrison, Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Charlotte/Harrisburg, NC
- Ken Marske, Schmitz’s Economart, Spooner, WI
- Jaleisha Freeman, Oceana Naval Air Station Commissary, Virginia Beach, VA
- Freddie Dowell, Brookshire Grocery Company, Malakoff, TX
- Christine Burton, Kroger Company, Shelbyville, IN
In addition, in recognition for the work these essential retail produce managers have been doing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Dole Food Company has honored each of the 25 winners with a $1,000 check; further increasing the five grand prize winners to $2,000 each.
More information on the 25 winners can be found here.