Seeking Industry Picks for Best Retailers, Dining Outlets and Global Marketing Initiatives
There may be no greater honor or feat than earning a groundbreaking, innovation award predicated on buying and selling produce to increase overall consumption and affect staid eating behaviors long term. More so, being nominated and celebrated by your industry peers, and at times business competitors or newfound partners, across retail and foodservice categories.
This pivotal Produce Business award series launched in 2023, features four inspirational cover stories showcasing the winning companies and individuals at Independent Stores (February), Chain Stores (through our Merchandiser of the Year award in April), Most Innovative Dining Outlets (July) and through Global Marketing Initiatives (December).
And culminates with an award ceremony recognizing the industry-nominated winners at the iconic annual New York Produce Show, marking its 15th anniversary, Dec. 10-12, 2024.
We are now seeking your nominations for each category, and the deadline for Most Innovative Independent Retailer is around the corner, Jan. 15. You can access the nomination forms and read more about the 2023 award winners for inspiration below.
Renewing our nearly four-decade mission to initiate industry improvement and increase fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, this Produce Business campaign, dubbed “Consumption—Let’s Work Together,” is part of a broader multi-tiered program. It engages public and private partnerships between academia, government entities, NGO’s and industry thought leaders — designed to move the needle on consumers’ fresh fruit and vegetable intake, and ultimately everyone’s health and well-being.
The New York Produce Show epitomizes this commitment. The inaugural winners took center stage at the 14th annual New York Produce Show keynote breakfast Dec. 6 at the Javits Center to accept their awards.
This kicked off a full day of trade show activities and networking opportunities to do business and partner in this broader industry mission, capturing the spirit and essence of the award.
In a testament to why these exceptional companies and visionary leaders were chosen, the innovation winners generously joined dynamic educational panel discussions and meetings to brainstorm and share their prized ideas and strategies to boost fresh fruit and vegetable consumption. The three-day show drew more than 5,000 attendees from around the world.
Moderator Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, President/CEO International Food Information Council, with (left to right) University of Georgia Professor Ben Campbell; Mike Roberts, VP of Produce Operations, Harps Food Stores; Alan Hartline, Owner, Kingma’s Market; Jim Hancock, VP DMM, Produce and Floral, Sam’s Club; Kat Britt, Produce Buyer, The Turnip Truck; Martha Hilton, VP Produce and Floral, Wegmans Food Markets.
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2023 WINNERS AND 2024 NOMINATION FORMS
Produce Business introduced the award series revealing the Most Innovative Independent Retailer, which proved a tight contest between three unique independents advancing impactful produce strategies in competitive marketplaces. Thus, we named a winner and two finalists.
Most Innovative Independent Retailer
Sendik’s Food Market
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Finalist, Most Innovative Independent Retailer
Kingma’s Market
Accepting the Award:
Alan Hartline, Owner
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Finalist, Most Innovative Independent Retailer
The Turnip Truck
Accepting the Award:
Kat Britt, Produce Buyer
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Merchandiser of the Year
Mike Roberts
VP of Produce Operations
Harps Food Stores
PB April COVER STORY: Maestro of Merchandising: Mike Roberts crescendos sales, consumption, and community health, composing a concerto of industry partners, some pulling at his heartstrings.
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Most Innovative Dining Outlet
Bon Appetit Management Company
Accepting the Award:
Chris Lenza
Executive Chef, Wellness Plant Forward Initiatives
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GLOBAL MARKETING INITIATIVES AWARD
Veg Power
Accepting the Award:
Dan Parker
Chief Executive, Veg Power
A fitting finale to this year’s inaugural Innovation Award’s series to increase produce consumption, we were proud to announce the Global Marketing Initiatives Award winner at the 2023 NY Produce Show keynote breakfast, accompanied by the Produce Business December award cover story.
Nominations are now open for 2024! Please submit your top picks for each category, with your insights on how these visionary companies and individuals brilliantly buy and sell produce to increase overall produce consumption. We are excited to feature their achievements in upcoming Produce Business cover stories, and to honor them with you at the 2024 New York Produce Show!