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United Fresh to honor 25 produce managers at San Diego convention

Exceptional produce managers representing 21 different supermarket chains, commissaries and independent retail stores in 16 states and Canada will be the honored guests at United Fresh 2013 this May through the United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Awards Program.

Sponsored by Ready Pac Foods, the awards program is now in its ninth year and is presented through the Foundation's Center for Leadership Excellence. The awards pay special recognition to those on the front-line in supermarkets working everyday to increase sales and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.IMG 1542Tom Stenzel with 2013 Retail Produce Manager Award-winner Darren Estermann of Food Maxx/Save Mart Supermarkets, located in Visalia, CA.

"The produce department is one of the most important customer touch points for the fresh produce industry and we are so fortunate to have these outstanding professionals positively representing our industry," Tom Stenzel, chief executive officer of United Fresh said in a press release. "Through their creative merchandising and innovative presentations, they are making fresh fruits and vegetables shine in their stores."

The 2013 Retail Produce Manager Award Winners are:

  • Ryan Acosta of Raley's Family of Fine Stores in Sacramento, CA
  • Louis Brock of Quality Food Centers in Seattle
  • Manson Camp of Weis Markets in Williamsport, PA
  • Kevin Cazeaux of Rouses Markets in New Orleans, LA
  • Lavern Clark of Brookshire Grocery Co. in Alexandria, LA
  • Darren Estermann of Food Maxx/Save Mart Supermarkets in Visalia, CA
  • David Fitts of Harris Teeter Supermarkets in Charlotte, NC
  • Jim Fleming of Price Chopper/Golub Corp. in Newburgh, NY
  • Ken Gaylord of Safeway Stores in Portland, OR
  • Aaron Geohring of Ray's Food Place in Grants Pass, OR
  • Donna Goodman of Daniel's Sentry Store in Whitewater, WI
  • James Gordy of Safeway Stores in Auburn, CA
  • Doug Groendyke of King's Supermarkets in Gillette, NJ
  • Rick Hogan of Hugo's Family Marketplace in Grand Forks, ND
  • Deborah Horton of Ft. Worth NAS Commissary in Fort Worth, TX
  • Pat Kapelka of the Kroger Co. in Tiffin, OH
  • James May of Food City/K-VA-T Food Stores in South Williamson, KY
  • Maureen McCarthy of Ft. Bragg North Commissary in Ft. Bragg, NC
  • Nathan Mineart of Hy-Vee Inc. in East Marion, IA
  • Nicholas Olivieri of Pathmark in Bethpage, NY
  • Bill Power of Dominion in St John's, NFL, Canada
  • Brett Reed of Hy-Vee Inc. in Windsor Heights, IA
  • Frankie Thacker of Food City/K-VA-T Food Stores in Rogersville, TN
  • Jeffrey Vocatura of Big Y Foods in Stratford, CT
  • Corey Watkins of Raley's Family of Fine Stores in Elk Grove, CA

"The professionalism and exceptional talent these retail managers have demonstrated deserves to be recognized and honored," Ready Pac President and CEO Michael Solomon added in the press release. "Ready Pac is proud to sponsor this program and offer our congratulations to these hard-working individuals and companies for their tireless promotion of the fresh produce industry."

The program's 25 winners were selected from hundreds of nominations submitted by retailers and produce suppliers across the industry. Nominations were evaluated on a number of criteria, including efforts to increase produce consumption through excellence in merchandising, special displays and promotions, community service and commitment to customer satisfaction.

All winners and their corporate produce directors will be honored at United Fresh 2013 during the Produce Celebration Dinner on Thursday, May 16, at the Marriott Marquis San Diego. In addition to the awards, five grand prize recipients will receive an additional $1,000 cash prize.

The Produce Retail Manager Award winners will also be featured in a panel discussion on the United Fresh 2013 trade show floor in the Fresh Marketplace Learning Center. A panel of the winners will share their perspectives on creative produce merchandising strategies during this special education session.

Nominations for the 2014 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program will be accepted this fall, with winners to be honored at United Fresh 2014 in Chicago.

More information on United Fresh 2013 can be found at www.unitedfreshshow.org.

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