THE 2017 RETAIL PRODUCE MANAGER AWARDS PROGRAM Honoring the Best of the Produce Industry’s Front Line

WINNERS TO BE HONORED AT UNITED FRESH 2017

June 13-15 | Chicago

NOMINATE A RETAIL PRODUCE MANAGER TODAY!

Sponsored by: The United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Awards Program pays special recognition to produce managers on the front line in who work every day to increase sales and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

United Fresh will honor 25 of the industry’s top retail produce managers for their commitment to fresh produce, innovative merchandising, community service, and customer satisfaction. WHY PARTICIPATE?

This program honors produce managers who are making a difference and setting the standard of excellence in the produce department at store level. By nominating a produce manager, you’re offering them an opportunity to further their industry knowledge, engage with industry leaders, meet with produce companies and learn about the newest products at United Fresh 2017 in Chicago.

Raise the bar within your company and have your banner recognized as an industry leader. Nominate an outstanding Retail Produce Manager today!

“I enjoyed meeting all the other winning Produce Managers at the United Fresh Show in Chicago, and after being in the business for 42 years it was great to network with others throughout the entire industry.” Mike Giberson Niemann Foods, Inc., Champaign, IL (2016 Winner) THE UNITED FRESH EXPERIENCE

United Fresh 2017 is the industry’s major destination event — the place where retail and produce leaders go to connect with colleagues, see cutting-edge products, and learn about the latest industry trends. Co-located with the International Floriculture Expo and the Global Cold Chain Expo, United Fresh 2017 brings together fresh produce industry leaders to drive innovation and ultimately increase produce consumption.

Retail Produce Manager Award Winners are the ‘best of the best’ in their profession. At United Fresh 2017 they will be VIPs meeting with the produce industry’s top executives. Every manager will return with an expanded knowledge

LEADERSHIP of their role in the success of the industry.

2017 Retail Produce Manager Award Winners receive industry-wide recognition in trade publications, within their company, and on stage in Chicago before their colleagues and customers. CELEBRATION CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE

Retail Produce Manager Award Winners have the opportunity to attend education programs with topics including marketing and trend research, in addition to solutions driving efficiencies and advancements in the produce supply chain. They will gain valuable knowledge and share this insight with customers EDUCATION when they return to their stores.

Retail Produce Manager Award winners enjoy numerous opportunities to interact with United Fresh attendees and exhibitors. The exposition, meetings, receptions and dinners will allow the 2017 winners to get to know the people who bring their produce to market. NETWORKING

www.unitedfresh.org/rma HOW TO NOMINATE

1) Submit a nomination form online: www.unitedfresh.org/rma

Nominations must be approved by the Retail Produce 2) Executive (or designated corporate representative)

3) Nominations must be received no later than January 6, 2017

Winners and their Corporate Produce Executives will attend United Fresh 2017 in Chicago, and be recognized at the Retail-Foodservice Celebration Dinner.

Each year, hundreds of nominations are received. Nominators are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible in each category, showcasing why a produce manager deserves to be honored.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Nominations are evaluated on the following four criteria: • Innovative Merchandising, Special Displays and Sampling Programs • Produce-Related Community Service or Outreach • Recognition within their Company • Commitment to Customer Satisfaction and Promoting Fresh Produce

2016 Winners in Chicago “As a Produce Manager, I love to help people eat better, feel better and do better. I’m honored to win this award - with the support from my team and corporate staff at Sobeys. The United Fresh Show in Chicago provided me with great ideas to bring produce passion to life back at my store.” Denise Kelly Sobeys, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada (2016 Winner)

PROGRAM RULES

• Companies may nominate multiple produce managers • Past winners are not eligible • Nominees must be employed as a retail produce manager • The winning manager must be accompanied to United Fresh 2017 by a Produce Executive from the Retailer’s Corporate Headquarters Office • Nominations must be received no later than January 6, 2017

The 25 Winning Produce Managers and their Corporate Produce Executives will receive: • Roundtrip airfare and registration to United Fresh 2017 • Two nights of hotel accommodations • Commemorative Plaque • Recognition on stage at the Retail-Foodservice Celebration Dinner

And, five Grand Prize Winners will receive $1,000 each! PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS

Since 2005, nearly 300 produce managers have been honored, representing more than 90 retail banners. These produce managers represent the BEST of the BEST in our industry.

2016 Winners: Amy Allman, The Company, Athens, GA Tricia Arceneaux, Frank’s Supermarkets, Golden Meadow, LA Ryan Blancas, Beale AFB Commissary, Marysville, CA Jeffery Bonacquisti, Market 32/Price Chopper, Pittsfield, MA James Corcoran, ShopRite, Carteret, NJ Ted Elliott, , Warsaw, NY Mark Garcia, The Common Market, Frederick, MD Michael Giberson, Niemann Foods, Inc., Champaign, IL Dan Hanson, Hy-Vee, Inc., Mankato, MN James Howard, Food City/K-VA-T Food Stores, Pikeville, KY Denise Kelly, Sobeys, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada Amy Lincoln, Coborn’s, Ramsey, MN Ken Miller, Save Mart, Placerville, CA Brice Mollohan, Supermarkets, Mathews, NC Jason Norviel, Markets, Des Peres, MO Steve Parker, Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, Reno, NV Henry Porter, Vashon Thriftway, Vashon, WA Jennifer Ratkiewicz, Foods, Inc., Springfield, MA Lely Reyes, Companies, McLean, VA Ronnie Showers, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Sun Prairie, WI Skyler Smith, Marc’s Stores, N. Canton, OH Gary Standing, Loblaw Companies, Ltd., North Sydney, NS, Canada Lucilo Torres, Northgate González Markets, Long Beach, CA Brett Walker, Brookshire Grocery Company, Pittsburg, TX Keith Zielonka, , Morrisville, NC

If you have an outstanding produce manager on your retail team, nominate them to be a part of this exceptional program! The United Fresh Produce Association brings together companies across every segment of the fresh produce supply chain, from growers, processors, wholesale distributors to foodservice and retail operators. United Fresh retail members enjoy quarterly pricing and trend reports, service on the United Fresh Retail-Foodservice Board and expert consultation on key issues that impact their procurement and store-level operations.

Produce managers are the face of our industry to the consumer. Their creativity and positive interaction with customers grows produce sales and ultimately consumption of fruits and vegetables. This program is a powerful way to send a message to produce managers everywhere that we value what they do.

Tom Stenzel, President & CEO, United Fresh Produce Association

For more information, contact United Fresh Produce Association at 202-303-3400 | www.unitedfresh.org

Special thanks to the Retail Produce Manager Awards Sponsor: dole.com

As one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, Dole Food Company, Inc., is proud to honor the Produce Managers who are driven to make a difference in our industry and the communities in which they live. For more information, visit www.dole.com

This is Dole’s third year as title sponsor of the United Fresh Produce Manager of the Year Award, and we could not be more proud to be a part of this important recognition program. These men and women do so much to promote the increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, and this gives us an opportunity to recognize that contribution and genuinely say thank you.

Tim Stejskal, Senior Vice President of Sales for Dole Fresh Vegetables