Awards

35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: ZAG Technical Services Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Does Your Tech Keep Pace Strategy ZAG Technical Services developed new branding, highlighting a creative illustration style of animals in the ZAG branding and colors to create more interest and engagement in a technical brand. The company utilized a combination of PR, trade advertising and email marketing to build… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Texas International Produce Association/South Texas Onion Committee Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Texas 1015 Restaurant Week Strategy A special nine-day promotion was held April 29 through May 8, 2022. Each restaurant had to create a TX1015 Sweet Onion-inspired dish or drink. Dishes were shared on social media, and table tents with QR code for in-restaurant voting were displayed, as well as… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Stemilt Growers Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion The Great American Rave Race Strategy When Stemilt increased its volume and availability of Rave apples in 2022, it created an opportunity to elevate the brand through a fun and engaging customer and consumer campaign strategy to boost Rave sales and create memorable experiences. Stemilt hit the road August… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Pure Flavor Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Cool As Cucumbers Strategy The Cool As Cucumbers campaign was developed as a five-week promotion to kick off on the first day of spring (March 20) through Earth Day (April 22), 2023. The objective was to reach the students in Pure Flavor’s Adopt-A-School (AAS) program, as well as consumers… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Premier ProduceOne Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Catering Trends Sales Print Piece Strategy Premier ProduceOne's 2023 Catering Trends piece is a highlight piece, generated for the 2023 year. Premier's product development team led a combination of customer market research, as well as secondary research, to build a thought-leading piece that resonates with customers in the catering,… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Oppy/Orchard Vew Cherries Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Orchard View Cherries’ 100-year anniversary campaign Strategy This year marked the 100-year anniversary of Orchard View Cherries, a 100% cherries grower in The Dalles, OR. Currently managed by President Brenda Thomas, the success of Orchard View is the result of four generations of cherry specialists. Over the last century,… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: North Carolina SweetPotato Commission Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Blazin’ Blackstone Giveaway Strategy The North Carolina SweetPotato Commission held its Blazin’ Blackstone Giveaway Contest, a summer recipe promotion highlighting new ways to enjoy sweet potatoes from July 1 through Sept. 30, 2022. The event promoted the versatility and flavor of sweet potatoes during the summer (a time when… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: National Watermelon Promotion Board Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Use the Whole Watermelon 2.0 Strategy Use the Whole Watermelon 2.0 campaign, June 1 through Aug. 31, 2022, aimed to educate consumers on the value of watermelon The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) launched a “Use the Whole Watermelon 2.0” integrated campaign. The communications objective was to increase awareness… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Mucci Farms Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion SmuccieGrams Strategy The Mucci Farms’ SmuccieGrams Valentine’s Day campaign, Jan. 26 through Feb. 14, 2023, gave local Windsor-Essex area residents the opportunity to send a custom SmuccieGram. For $25, those who ordered received a red rose, a personalized package of Smuccies Sweet Strawberries, and a mini jar of Nutella.… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Award Winner: Michigan Apple Committee Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Michigan Apple Committee TikTok Strategy The Michigan Apple Committee (MAC) engages in marketing, research, education and communications for the benefit of Michigan’s apple growers. The mission is to enhance the reputation of Michigan apples, improve its share of sales in target markets and aid the profitability and sustainability of… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Honeybear Brands Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Pazazz Apple Healthy to the Core Strategy In collaboration with the American Institute For Cancer Research (AICR) and Celebrity Chef (and cancer thriver) Elle Simone from America's Test Kitchen, Pazazz apples were promoted as a healthy way to help prevent certain cancers and inspire consumers to use Pazazz in… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Hass Avocado Board Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion AltaMed HealthCare and Fresh Avocados — Love One Today Strategy Fresh Avocados — Love One Today, Hass Avocado Board's (HAB) resource for telling avocado’s nutrition story, partnered with AltaMed, the nation’s largest independent federally qualified health center, to pilot a groundbreaking approach. Avocado nutrition research, supported by HAB’s Avocado… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: G&R Farms Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Growing America's Farmers Strategy G&R Farms hosted its annual cause marketing campaign, Growing America's Farmers, in 10 national and regional retailers, May 1 through July 31, 2022. The campaign included high graphic packaging, floor bins, secondary display bins, POS, a website and social media. The goal: A portion of… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Equitable Food Initiative Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Farmworker Awareness Week Strategy Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumer advocacy groups, celebrated National Farmworker Awareness Week, March 25-31, 2023, by encouraging growers, agricultural associations, state agriculture agencies, food companies, retailers and consumers to share messages honoring the… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Crunch Time Apple Growers Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Official Apple of the Buffalo Bills — Get New York Eating SnapDragon Apples (Year 1) Strategy 2023 marked the first year of a multi-year partnership between the Buffalo Bills and SnapDragon apples (Aug. 30, 2022, through July 31, 2023). Crunch Time Apple Growers approached the Buffalo Bills regarding a… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Award Winner: California Avocado Commission Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion 2022 California Avocado Consumer Trade Marketing Strategy The California Avocado Commission (CAC) supported retail partners by creating custom consumer trade programs. CAC met with each retailer and developed customized programs to leverage and help grow its digital and social media channels while promoting California avocado availability. These consumer trade… ... Read More
35th Annual Marketing Excellence Awards Winner: BrightFarms Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Promotion Follow The Sun Booth Exhibit Strategy BrightFarms, an indoor farming company and provider of locally grown packaged salads, currently operating an expanding network of high-tech sustainable farms in Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Illinois, partnered with Ten Acre Marketing to launch its rebrand to the trade… ... Read More
Loud and Clear: 35th Annual Marketing Excellence Awards Posted in: Awards, Cover Stories, Marketing Excellence - Originally printed in the August 2023 issue of Produce Business. The winning entries in the Produce Business 35th Annual Marketing Excellence Awards program all had a message to be conveyed loud and clear to the produce industry. Recognizing an on-the-go lifestyle and social media everywhere, all the time, produce marketers… ... Read More
2024 Produce Business Marketing Excellence Awards Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Turn Your Marketing Into An Award Winning Experience Right now, and on through June 1, 2024, we’re taking entries for the 35th Annual Marketing Excellence Awards Program, presented by PRODUCE BUSINESS. The awards recognize excellence in marketing in each of six categories: retailers, foodservice, wholesalers, shippers, commodity organizations and allied service/product providers. Print, broadcast and… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Ashley Yager Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 35 Director of MarketingAlpine Fresh, Inc.Miami, FL Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FLHobbies: Kickboxing, Home DIY Projects,Family/Community: Single, 1 sonMotto in life: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Yager has almost single-handedly built and marketed the Hippie Organic line, helped in the rebrand of Alpine Fresh, and developed… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Kevin Wilkinson Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 35 Sales ManagerVegetable Growers SupplySalinas, CA Hometown: Hollister, CAHobbies: Hunting, Coaching Football, Team RopingFamily/Community: Married, 3 children, High School Football Coach, San Benito County Fair Livestock Auction ChairmanMotto in life: “You can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets.” — Arnold Schwarzenegger Wilkinson began his… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: John Robert Tramutola III Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 31 Vegetable SalesmanA&J ProduceBronx, NY Hometown: Staten Island, NYHobbies: Making FilmsFamily/Community: Married, ChildMotto in life: Hard Work Pays Off. Tramutola is a dedicated, determined, third generation family member entering his family business. He grew up in the A&J Produce business. As a young boy, he would go to work… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Justin E. Thurow Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 38 Senior MerchantSam’s ClubBentonville, AR Hometown: Sterling, CTHobbies: Disc Golf, Hikes with family, Traveling, Video gamesFamily/Community: Married, Twin daughtersMotto in life: Vision without action is a daydream. Thurow’s very first job was in produce at age 16 as a part-time stocker at A&P in the Northeast. He worked at… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Rachel Syngo Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 36 Chief Marketing OfficerMelon 1Punta Gorda, FL Hometown: Fort Myers, FLHobbies: Gardening, Fishing, Traveling with her son to play sports.Family/Community: Married, 1 son, Caloosa Humane SocietyMotto in life: You win some, you learn some. Syngo is the eighth generation in her family to grow, pack and ship produce. She… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Christina Stipe Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 37 Director of Produce MerchandisingPrice Chopper/Market 32 (Northeast Shared Services)Schenectady, NY Hometown: Albany, NYHobbies: Softball, Bowling, DIYFamily/Community: Married, 3 children, Youth baseball coachMotto in life: “It is never wrong to do the right thing.” — Mark Twain After her first procurement role at TransWorld Entertainment, she joined the Price… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Jacob Serck Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 30 Sales and BuyingJ.A.B. ProduceChicago, IL Hometown: Deerfield, ILHobbies: Hockey, Golf, Concerts, TravelingFamily/Community: Temple Beth-El, Tourettes Association of America board member, Rory David Deutsch Foundation board member, College Bound Opportunities, Jewish United FundMotto in life: Any day above ground is a good day, no matter what gets thrown your… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Caite Rought Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 34 Director, Business DevelopmentLitehouseSandpoint, ID Hometown: Stilwell, KSHobbies: Travel, Hiking, Fishing, Cheering on the Kansas Jayhawks and Buffalo BillsFamily/Personal/Community: Married, One daughter and a baby boy on the way.Motto in life: The secret to having it all is knowing that you already do. Rought joined Litehouse in 2017 as… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Cliff Riner Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 40 Vice President of Ag Production and Grower RelationsG&R FarmsGlennville, GA Hometown: Reidsville, GeorgiaHobbies: Work, Golfing, Raising livestock with his daughtersFamily/Community: Married, Two daughters, Mount Moriah Church, Georgia Club Goat Producers Association.Motto in life: Don’t be “most people” — the definition of being exceptional is to be different than… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Jacob S. Rabon Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 37 Vice President of Commodity ProcurementFresh Pik Produce INC.Kenly, NC Hometown: Weeksville NCHobbies: Traveling, Saltwater Fishing, Live Music, GolfFamily/Community: Married, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Networking Group, Board of Directors The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Feeding America Partner, Newbegun United Methodist Church, Member of Hiram #40 A.F.A.M. Mason Lodge… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Cal Parker Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 37 Sales SpecialistL&M CompaniesRaleigh, NC Hometown: Rose Hill, NCHobbies: His kids’ extra-curriculars, Golf, Traveling, All things NC State WolfpackFamily/Community: Married, 2 children, Volunteer Coach, Plymouth Church, Wolfpack Club ImPack Program DonorMotto in life: If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right. Having joined the produce industry a… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: John Paap Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 37 ManagerJac. Vandenberg Inc.Tarrytown, NY Hometown: Putnam Valley, NYHobbies: History, Soccer, Traveling, Gardening, FamilyFamily/Community: Married, 3 SonsMotto in life: “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom” — Socrates Following graduation in 2008 from SUNY Binghamton, Paap joined Jac. Vandenberg Inc. Having a background in finance, Paap started in the accounting… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Mayra A. Marin Oviedo Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 38 Replenishment Analyst/SalesMisioneroGonzales, CA Hometown: Salinas, CA.Hobbies: Photography, Gardening, Family road trips with unexpected detoursFamily/Community: Married, 2 childrenMotto in life: Don’t stress over the things you cannot control. Keep high aspirations, moderate expectations, and small needs. Over the course of her 19-year tenure at Misionero, Marin has proven herself… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Jessica Oliva Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 38 Merchant-ProduceWalmart Inc.Bentonville, AR Hometown: Guadalajara, Jalisco. MEXICOHobbies: Movie nights, Music, TravelingFamily/Community: Married, 2 childrenMotto in life: Everything in life requires time, effort or money — sometimes all three of them, but at least one. Ask yourself what is the price you are paying for what you are doing… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Tyler Neu Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 37 Vice President of SalesRuss Davis WholesaleWadena, MN Hometown: Wadena, MNHobbies: Golf, Hunting, Fishing, Water sports, Enjoying family timeFamily/Community: Married, 2 children, Coaching youth hockeyMotto in life: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you do not take.” — Wayne Gretzky Neu has spent his entire career in produce… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Taylor Martin Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 38 Vice PresidentFoster CavinessColfax, NC Hometown: College Station, TXHobbies: Being a Dad, Hunting, Fishing, Dog Training, Growing WineFamily/Community: Married, 2 children, White Memorial Presbyterian Church, Texas A&M University Association of Former Students, Root Elementary PTA, Ducks Unlimited, Coombsville Vintners & GrowersMotto in life: “The mind that opens to a… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Melanie Marcus Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 40 Nutrition, Wellness and Communications ManagerDole Food CompanyCharlotte, NC Hometown: Campbell Hall, NYHobbies: Cooking, Baking, Instagramming inspirational food videos, GardeningFamily/Community: Married, 2 children, Saint Mark’s church, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Shriners Hospitals for Children.Motto in life: “Find a job you love, and you will never have to work a… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Frank Manfredi Jr. Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 39 Vice PresidentThe Manfredi CompaniesToughkenamon, PA Hometown: Kennett Square, PAHobbies: Boating, CarsFamily/Community: Married, 3 Children, Kennett Community Cupboard (source and purchase food to feed over 500 families for Thanksgiving and Christmas).Motto in life: It all starts with family. Manfredi has been a part of the family business since before… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Karan Kohli Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 28 Director of Berry SalesMastronardi ProduceKingsville, Ontario, Canada Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, CanadaHobbies: Canoeing, BarbecuingFamily/Community: Married, Expecting first child, Downtown Mission of WindsorMotto in life: Give it your best shot, make mistakes, just don’t make the same mistake twice. After a few finance internships with Restaurant Brands International and PepsiCo,… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Joseph Klick Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 35 Director, Product Management (East)Naturipe Farms, LLCSalinas, CA Hometown: Kalamazoo, MIHobbies: Soccer, Hiking, Kayaking, Biking, BoatingFamily/Community: Married, 2 children, Kalamazoo Soccer member and team captain.Motto in life: Your decisions today will determine your tomorrow. Klick’s produce career started with a college internship at Melissa’s World Variety Produce as a… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Austin Kirtley Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 35 Co-Founder/Managing PartnerKESI ManagementIndianapolis, IN Hometown: Indianapolis, INHobbies: Golfing, Hiking, Fishing, Hunting, Cooking, GrillingFamily/Community: Married, 2 children, Harvest Church, Gigi’s Playhouse, Midwest Food BankMotto in life: Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people. Kirtley started his career after college in 2012, working in the greenhouse industry… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Billy Itule Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 40 Senior ManagementWillie Itule ProducePhoenix, AZ Hometown: Phoenix, ArizonaHobbies: Tennis, Tech Podcasts, Travel, Re-watching epic movie franchises with his kidsFamily/Community: Married, Two children, Board Member of Boys Hope Girls Hope and 2023 charity breakfast co-chair, Finance Chair with St. Thomas the Apostle Parent Teacher Organization.Motto in life: Success is… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Amanda Horney Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 38 Business Development ManagerLondon Fruit, Inc.Pharr, TX Hometown: Mission, TexasHobbies: Painting with daughter, Hobby farmingFamily/Community: Married, 1 daughter, Hope Church of ViburnumMotto in life: The answer is always no unless you ask. Horney’s fascination with the produce industry began at age 9, when she made her inaugural visit to… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Alyssa Hind Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 31 East Coast Sales & Marketing DirectorGM Produce Sales | Marathon MangosHidalgo, TX Hometown: Santa Elena, TXHobbies: Spending time with family and friends, Cattle ranching, Riding horses, TravelingFamily/Community: Married, 2 children, Board Member of the American Akaushi Association, Member of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers AssociationMotto in life: “Success… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Nicole Gordy Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 34 Director of Business AnalyticsSage Fruit CompanyYakima, WA Hometown: Yakima, WAHobbies: Traveling, Camping, Fishing, Boating with familyFamily/Community: Married, 2 daughters, Pomological Club memberMotto in life: “Live each and every day as if it were your last — because one day you’ll be right.” — Bob Moawad Gordy was born… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Jacob Gelyana Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 35 Procurement SpecialistThe Ruby CompanyBuffalo Grove, IL Hometown: Buffalo Grove, ILHobbies: Golf, Chicago Bears, Cooking, MoviesFamily/Community: Single and looking. Uncle to be.Motto in life: Turn obstacles into opportunities. Gelyana has managed remarkable accomplishments for The Ruby Company in just five short years, becoming an expert in potatoes, onions, sweet… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Joshua Gatcke Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 26 General Manager and Head Fruit BuyerNathel & NathelBronx, NY Hometown: Glen Cove, NYHobbies: Golfing, Skiing, Cooking, Finding the Best Pizza in NYC, His dogsMotto in life: “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” —Henry Ford Gatcke is the fourth generation to lead Nathel & Nathel.… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Becky Fanion Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 30 Category Manager, VegetablesStop & ShopQuincy, MA Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PAHobbies: Traveling, Powerlifting, Writing, Trying new restaurants, Live music, PetsFamily/Community: New England Produce Council Board MemberMotto in life: “If I was the man… then I’d be the man.” — Taylor Swift Fanion is the category manager of vegetables at Stop… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Giovanni Espinosa Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 36 Senior Sales RepresentativeGreenFruit AvocadosNewport Beach, CA Hometown: Westminster, CAHobbies: Health/Fitness, Attending Sports/Music Events, Boating, Coaching daughter’s soccer teamFamily/Community: Married, 2 daughters, UC Riverside Alumni Association, St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, City of Hope–Walk for HopeMotto in life: “From what we get, we can make a living. What we give,… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Tyler Davis Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 37 Senior Manager Produce Sourcing–NortheastUS FoodsRosemont, IL Hometown: Rehoboth Beach, DEHobbies: Golf, Deep Sea Fishing, Family Beach DaysFamily/Community: Married, 1 sonMotto in life: The harder you work, the luckier you get. Upon graduation from Penn State University in hotel, restaurant and institutional management, Davis started his career with Sysco… ... Read More
2023 Produce Business 40 Under Forty Award Winner: Kelsey Crusha Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Age: 38 Senior Account ManagerTanimura & AntleSpreckels, CA Hometown: Clovis, CAHobbies: Spending time with family and friends, Watching her kids play sports, Reading, ExerciseFamily/Community: Married, 3 Children, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School Parent Club Board member, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School Heritage Committee, Previous La Visionaria Guild of… ... Read More