Pear Bureau Northwest has named 39 winners of its second annual “Pear Up with USA Pears” display contest.

The contest invited all retailers from across the United States and Canada to build an eye-catching display that features Green Anjou, Red Anjou and Bosc pears at minimum, with inclusion of other varieties of USA Pears encouraged.

To qualify for the contest, the display was required to be maintained for at least one week during the January-to-March timeframe.

Entries were judged on a 100-point scale for appearance, creativity, and educational impact. Five bonus points were added to entries that included any of the jumbo-size pears readily available this season.

“The produce managers participating in the contest went over and above with eye-catching and educational displays that are sure to increase pear sales for their retailers,” Kathy Stephenson, marketing communications director at Pear Bureau Northwest, said in a press release. “Selecting only a few winners was a difficult task, with many entries showing exceptional creativity. We appreciate everyone who created memorable displays and thank them for contributing to our pear category.”

First-, second- and third-place winners plus 10 honorable mentions were named in three store categories (1-5 cash registers, 6-9 cash registers and 10-plus cash registers), for a total of 39 cash prizes being awarded. First-place winners received $1,000, second-place winners received $750, third-place winners received $500 and honorable mentions received $150. As recognition for their participation, all who entered were awarded a gift card for Amazon.com valued at $20.

The winners for the 1-5 cash registers category are:

• 1st Place: Nicoline Hill of Billie's Market in Onamia, MN.
• 2nd Place: Kelly Kesler of Kesler’s Market in Blackfoot, ID.
• 3rd Place: Holly Mathis of Neighborhood Co-op Grocery in Carbondale, IL.

Honorable Mentions: Sheila Burt of Mike's Food Center in St. Charles, MN, Lynette DeClerck of Pana County Market in Pana, IL, Ryan Ellison of Food City in Oliver Springs, TN, Nancy Hoffstetter of Cortland Sparkle Market in Cortland, OH, Jason Kirkpatrick of Foodland in South Pittsburgh, TN, Susan Kotarba of Hardings Market in Dowagiac, MI, Kia LaPier of Tops Markets in Schroon Lake, NY, Titus Lohr of Al's Supermarkets West in LaPorte, IN, Kelly Nowak of Leppinks Food Center in Belding, MI, and Randy Tolleson of Foodland in Boaz, AL.

The winners for the 6-9 cash registers category are:

• 1st Place: Kathie Meyer of Port Townsend Food Co-op in Port Townsend, WA.
• 2nd Place: David Scarlett of KVAT Food Stores in Knoxville, TN.
• 3rd Place: George Marken of U.S. Air Force Commissary at USAFA in Colorado.

Honorable Mentions: Dawn Beckby of Henderson's IGA in Valentine, NE, Brad Clark of Harps in Springdale, AR, David Dozier of GFF Foods in Moore, OK, Michael Garrett of Rosauers Supermarkets in Yakima, WA, Nathan Goldsmith of Huckleberry's Natural Market in Spokane, WA, Chad Miller of Sprouts Market in Flower Mound, TX, Efrain Ruiz of Ray's Foodplace in Cloverdale, CA, Susan Seward of Safeway in Yakima, WA, Chad Sinclair of Kuhn's Market in Moon Township, PA, and Bill Pfannenstiel of Price Cutter Plus in Lebanon, MO.

The winners for the 10 or more cash registers category are:

• 1st Place: Ken Marske of Schmitz's in Spooner, WI.
• 2nd Place: David Fugiel of Caputos in Carole Stream, IL.
• 3rd Place: G. Michael Oliver of Pennington Quality Market in Pennington, NJ.

Honorable Mentions: Amy Bell of Haggen in Gig Harbor, WA, Cay McConnell of Food City in Blountville, TN, Esteban Gonzalez of Rouse's Market in Gretma, VA, Justin Fiscus of Dutchway in Myerstow, PA, Mario Decaro of Tops Market in Cheektowaga, NY, Michelle Bowley of Marketplace Foods in Minot, ND, Pat Deroche of Rouses Market in Houma, LA, Terry Inder of Dominion in Corner Brook, NF, Tim Oldenkamp of Safeway in Silverdale, WA, and Travis Jones of Food City (KVAT) in Kingsport, TN.