GLOBAL MARKETING INITIATIVES AWARD 2025 Posted in: Awards, Global Marketing Innovation - As part of our mission to help the industry increase fresh produce consumption, Produce Business wants to honor trailblazing organizations, companies, and people who brilliantly market and sell fresh produce to increase overall produce consumption globally. Please use the following questions to guide your nomination for why this global marketing Initiative should… ... Read More
2025 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, 2025, we’re taking entries for the 36th 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
36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Zespri Kiwifruit Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION Zespri KiwiBrothers — Taste the Obsession STRATEGY The “Taste the Obsession” campaign introduced iconic brand characters, the Zespri KiwiBrothers. The dynamic duo made their debut in the U.S. by spreading their sweet and juicy kiwifruit obsession, through a rendition of the ’80s pop hit song, Kids in America, by… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Sun World Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION AutumnCrisp Grapes Retailer Pilot Program STRATEGY As part of its ongoing commitment to and investment in its global licensee community and its retail partners, Sun World International collaborated with Giant Eagle Inc. for an omnichannel marketing campaign, encouraging shoppers to sample and purchase AutumnCrisp brand table grapes at all… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Stemilt Growers Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION Stemilt Apples Chicagoland Takeover STRATEGY In spirit of National Random Acts of Kindness Month in February, Stemilt partnered with Jewel Osco to create a special four-week promotion on Lil Snappers and bulk Stemilt apples. The promotion ran at Jewel stores in the greater Chicago area, where multiple Stemilt apple… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Pear Bureau Northwest Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION Garfield, The Movie STRATEGY The Pear Bureau Northwest (USA Pears) partnered with Sony Movies, and created a partnership for Garfield, The Movie in Mexico. For two months, USA Pears created and executed a special campaign featuring Garfield with the main objective of promoting USA Pears among kids (and, well,… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION Windsor Airport Takeover STRATEGY Ontario’s greenhouse sector has over 4,000 acres of greenhouses dedicated to cucumber, tomato and pepper farming. This sector not only contributes to the local economy through the production of fresh produce, but also supports numerous jobs, while fostering community growth and shared prosperity through collaboration.… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Northwest Cherries Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION Give Your Summer a Cherry Glow STRATEGY The cherry glow promotion introduced the health and beauty benefits of cherries to increase Northwest cherries consumption and movement. This promotion was launched across the U.S., reaching retailers, media, influencers and social media users. Northwest Cherry Growers (NWCG) partnered with influencers to… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: New York Apple Association Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION Bob for Apples from New York and The Big Flavor STRATEGY The New York Apple Association launched a new official spokesperson, or spokespuppet, in October 2023, touting The Big Flavor, a new campaign created with consumers and trade in mind. The Big Flavor campaign was developed to promote the… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: National Watermelon Promotion Board Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION Slice of Happy Project STRATEGY The primary goal of the National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) is to increase awareness of and interest in the unique offerings of watermelon to stimulate demand and consumption. Each year, NWPB conducts consumer research to measure watermelon’s usage, attitudes and impact on mood. The… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Mushroom Council Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION Mushroom Monday STRATEGY Mushrooms are having a moment, and in 2024, the Mushroom Council decided it was time to give this moment a name. In fact, it deserved its own day of the week: Mushroom Monday. The Mushroom Council is promoting Mushroom Monday for retailers and their shoppers via:… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Gotham Greens Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION Influencer Engagement STRATEGY To highlight new greenhouse openings in Texas and Georgia and expanded distribution in Southern California, Gotham Greens executed an influencer engagement campaign to drive buzz and awareness in key markets. Giveaway mailers were filled with products from both Gotham Greens and partners. In Texas and Georgia,… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Goldenberry Farms Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION Sweet Sugar Mango — “Small, Sweet, and Easy to Eat!” STRATEGY The creative team at Goldenberry Farms was challenged to design a campaign to introduce its “Sugar Mango” branded miniature mangos to the U.S. market. The project posed several market challenges: the fruit was new to the U.S. market;… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Fresh Farms Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION Taste to Believe STRATEGY The Taste to Believe campaign showcased a wide selection of grape varieties, especially the popular candy line, including Cotton Candy, Candy Snaps and Candy Hearts. The campaign included vibrant displays, informative banners, and engaging digital content. The first period ran from June 1-July 1, 2023,… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Fresh Express Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION HealthyGameDay STRATEGY In 2023, Fresh Express launched its first-ever Healthy Game Day promotion to help sports fans create a winning game day spread. The online and social media promotion was designed to inspire fans to enjoy healthier versions of their favorite game day finger foods, snacks and dips, using… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: California Avocado Commission Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION What’s Inside a California Avocado STRATEGY The “What’s Inside a California Avocado” marketing campaign worked alongside retail support activities, including signage, display bins and customized retailer programs, to increase demand, awareness, and preference for the California Avocado brand during its spring through summer season. To maximize ad dollars, the… ... Read More 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Bako Sweet Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - PROMOTION Heart Healthy Campaign STRATEGY The “Heart Health Month” campaign, running throughout February, strategically leveraged the alignment of American Heart Health Month and National Sweet Potato Month to promote Bako Sweet potatoes as a certified heart-healthy food by the American Heart Association. The primary objectives were to increase impulse purchases… ... Read More Leading the Way: 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Awards Posted in: Awards, Cover Stories, Marketing Excellence - The 15 winning entries in the Produce Business 36th Annual Marketing Excellence Awards program are leading the way in marketing for the fresh produce industry. These produce marketers successfully reached consumers, created brand awareness and increased sales through social media, media outreach, retailers, influencer events, advertising, mailers and other creative… ... Read More
2025 Produce Business Marketing Excellence Awards Posted in: Awards, Marketing Excellence - Turn Your Marketing Into An Award Winning Experience Right now, and on through June 28, 2025, we’re taking entries for the 36th 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
2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Lindsay Young Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Senior Manager Produce Category DevelopmentFederated Cooperatives LimitedCalgary, Alberta, Canada Age: 38Hometown: Airdrie, Alberta, CanadaHobbies: Yoga, Gardening, Skiing, CraftingFamily/Community: Married, 1 sonMotto in life: Keep on keeping on. Young started her career at Federated Cooperatives Limited in October 2013 and has held multiple roles over the past decade. She started as… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: James D. Williams Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Business DevelopmentUnited Apple SalesLyndonville, NY Age: 29Hometown: Walworth, NYHobbies: Farm tours, Evening orchard walks, Snowshoeing, Skiing, Doing donuts on ATVsFamily/Community: Married, Newborn daughter, Member of NY Farm Bureau, Active in local FFA OrganizationsMotto in life: Each day is a blessing. The bad days help us to appreciate the good ones.… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Christian Vega Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Department DirectorGalera FreshChicago, IL Age: 30Hometown: Chicago, ILHobbies: Racing Cars, Formula 1Family/Community: Married, 2 childrenMotto in life: Defeat is always momentary. Though he grew up in the family produce business, Vega worked for over four years as a diesel mechanic until one day in 2016 his father, Jose (Pepe) Vega… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Armando Taddei Torres Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Senior Sales RepresentativeMarengo FoodsSan Juan, TX Age: 38Hometown: Nogales, AZHobbies: Golf, Tennis, Baseball, Outdoor ActivitiesFamily/Community: Married, 2 sonsMotto in life: Life is a one-time offer. Born and raised in Sonora, Mexico, Taddei immigrated to the U.S. in 2014. He started in the produce industry in 2015 as a quality control… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Taylor Thompson Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Merchant, ProduceWalmartBentonville, AR Age: 27Hometown: New Canaan, CTHobbies: Running, Raising axolotls, Rock climbingFamily/Community: Men’s group at church, Spent two years as a missionary in Paraguay before collegeMotto in life: Use what you’ve been given to give back to those around you. Thompson began his career at Walmart as a merchandising… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Molly Tabron Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Director of SupplyRobinson FreshEden Prairie, MN Age: 39Hometown: Rochester, MNHobbies: Photography, Spending time outside with family and friends, Kids sportsFamily/Community: Married, 2 children, Grace Church in Eden Prairie Welcome Team and children’s programmingMotto in life: Two things you are in total control of in life are your attitude and your… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Dan Sebetic Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Sales Director–East CoastThe Oppenheimer Group (Oppy)Coquitlam, British Columbia Age: 40Hometown: Kenosha, WIHobbies: Traveling, Golfing, Working-Out, Music (DJ-ing,) BBQ, SneakerheadFamily/Community: Married, 2 daughtersMotto in life: Get sh*t done. Sebetic was introduced to the industry in 2001 while working at Woodman’s Food Markets during high school and while attending the University of… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Melanie Schroedter Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Assistant Category DirectorWonderful CitrusDelano, CA Age: 37Hometown: Orange Grove, TXHobbies: Participating in 5K runs, Audio books, Walking/hiking with dogFamily/Community: Junior League (President from June 2023 through May 2025)Motto in life: God has a plan! Schroedter started her career in produce with L&M Companies out of North Carolina after she graduated… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Mark Sato Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Chief Commercial OfficerFortune GrowersElgin, IL Age: 40Hometown: Chicago, ILHobbies: Reading, Health and fitness, Learning, Coaching, SingingMotto in life: Do your best, never give up, be respectful. Sato started with Fortune Growers as an account executive with no prior experience in the produce industry, and has helped the company grow to… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Joseph Procacci III Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Vice President Business DevelopmentProcacci Holdings Company LLCPhiladelphia, PA Age: 31Hometown: Moorestown, NJHobbies: Golf, Philadelphia sports, Huge Disney fan, familyFamily/Community: Married, 3 childrenMotto in life: “Be a Man for Others.” — St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia Procacci started his career in the family business in 2010, working in the company’s tomato warehouses… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Chelsea Perkins Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Product ManagerTaylor FarmsSalinas, CA Age: 33Hometown: Salinas, CAHobbies: Hiking, Wine tasting, Traveling, Spending time with familyFamily/Community: Married, 2 stepchildrenMotto in life: Hard work pays off in the end. Success follows those who are willing to put in the effort and dedication. Perkins’ career in agriculture started with a category manager… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Octavio Páramo Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Director of OperationsMann PackingGonzales, CA Age: 37Hometown: King City, CAHobbies: Horses, His children’s sporting eventsFamily/Community: Married, 5 children, St. John’s Catholic ChurchMotto in life: You have to work hard in the dark to shine in the light. Páramo was born and raised in the Salinas Valley. Although surrounded by agricultural… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Kassi Orozco Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Sales SpecialistRiver Valley Fruit, LLCGrandview, WA Age: 37Hometown: Zillah, WAHobbies: Camping and boating with family, Vacationing in Puerto VallartaFamily/Community: Married, 2 childrenMotto in Life: If you can't stop thinking about it, don't stop working for it! Orozco is the perfect example of how a successful career in agriculture can be… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Conner O’Malley Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - PresidentDomex Superfresh Growers, LLCYakima, WA Age: 30Hometown: Selah, WAHobbies: Running, Hiking, Camping, GardeningFamily/Community: MarriedMotto in life: Control what you can control, and always do your best. Appointed president at 29, O’Malley has steered Superfresh Growers through two back-to-back, post-pandemic crop challenges, showcasing not just resilience, but an unwavering commitment to… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Michael Napolitano Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Director of OrganicsMcDaniel & Chirico WorldwideFallbrook, CA Age: 36Hometown: Harrington Park, NJHobbies: Sailing, SkiingMotto in life: Always be prepared. Napolitano grew up in a family with a long history in the produce industry, and started learning and working in the family’s New Jersey foodservice company, Samuel S. Napolitano Produce. Throughout… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Rolff Vladimir Mitton Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Director of OperationsNational Mango BoardOrlando, FL Age: 37Hometown: Deltona, FLHobbies: Reading, SoccerFamily/Community: Married, 1 sonMotto in life: It does not matter how many times we fall, all that matters is that we get back up every time. Mitton is an agricultural engineer with a master’s degree in soil science. He… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Erica Miller Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Manager, Sourcing; West CoastThe Ruby CompanyBuffalo Grove, IL Age: 35Hometown: Salinas, CAHobbies: Hiking with her dog, Horseback riding, ConcertsFamily/Community: Married, 2 daughters, Volunteer at CA Salinas RodeoMotto in life: Good growth is meant to be painful. In 2014, only two weeks after graduating from California State University Northridge, Miller began… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Justin McIntyre Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Manager-Wholesale Procurement (Produce)The Pattison Food GroupLangley, British Columbia Age: 33Hometown: Langley, British ColumbiaHobbies: Movies, Painting miniatures, Board games, Building computers, Marvel comicsFamily/Community: Married, 2 childrenMotto in life: Elevate your team, and they will elevate you. McIntyre started in the produce industry in 2006 as a produce clerk at a local… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Paul J. Mastronardi Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Director of Sales/PartnerEver Tru FarmsKingsville, Ontario, Canada Age: 32Hometown: Kingsville, OntarioHobbies: Golf, FitnessFamily/Community: University of Windsor Dean’s Science BoardMotto in life: If you fall off the horse, get back on. As a third-generation farmer, Mastronardi’s career started long before he formally entered the industry. It began at 12, as he… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Nicholas Marchini Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - COO FarmingJ. Marchini FarmsLe Grand, CA Age: 38Hometown: Le Grand, CAHobbies: Skiing, Traveling, Gardening, Football, Baseball, Coaching Little League baseballFamily/Community: Married, 5 children, Plainsburg Cemetery District Board chairman, Local water agency board, Italo lodgeMotto in life: Anything worth doing is worth doing right! A fourth-generation farmer, Marchini started working for… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Johnny Lunsford Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Product ManagerL&M Companies Inc.Raleigh, NC Age: 35Hometown: St. Augustine, FLHobbies: Fishing, Camping, GolfFamily/Community: Married, 2 children, Active support of the Home Education FoundationMotto in life: To live is to do the things you want to do when you want to do them. So live! Lunsford began his career in 2006… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Matthew Lind Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Owner/PresidentFarmLind ProduceRiver Vale, NJ Age: 30Hometown: River Vale, NJHobbies: Biking, Hiking, Boating, Building projects, Spending time with friends and familyFamily/Community: Local food pantries, Sponsoring local teamsMotto in life: Anything is possible if you set your mind to it. Lind started working at 14 for a farm near his hometown and… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Maxwell Remington Krieger Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Chief Operating Officer/Director of Sales & MarketingDark Side of the Spoon IndustriesDenver, CO Age: 37Hometown: Rye, NYHobbies: Scuba Diving (Master Diver Certified), Lacrosse, Cooking, History Family/Community: Married, 2 sons.Motto in Life: C’est La Vie. Krieger’s professional accomplishments are built on a solid track record of collaboration, teamwork, relationship building and… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Johnny Karrat Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Director of Sales & OperationsCapital City ProduceTroy, NY Age: 25Hometown: Clifton Park, NYHobbies: Skiing, Boating, Going to the beach, Cooking/grilling, Spending time with family and friendsFamily/Community: St. Ann’s Maronite Catholic Church, St. Jude Children’s HospitalMotto in life: Have no fear of perfection — you’ll never achieve it. Karrat was born… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Christine Jackson Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Senior Manager, Marketing and Product DevelopmentWP RawlPelion, SC Age: 39Hometown: Lexington, SCHobbies: Spending time with family, Fitness, ReadingFamily/Community: Married, 3 daughters, Military spouseMotto in life: Work hard, enjoy life, take care of family, but also invest time in yourself. With more than 21 years of experience in the industry, Jackson… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Antonio Illiano Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - East Coast Grape Category Manager and Senior SalesOppyCoquitlam, British Columbia Age: 39Hometown: Bear, DEHobbies: Food, Sports, TravelFamily/Community: Married; 2 childrenMotto in life: Life is too short to eat bad food. Illiano joined Oppy 16 years ago as an intern on the Ocean Spray Fresh Cranberry deal after finishing a three-month… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Britney Hawkins Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Senior Trade Marketing ManagerNature Fresh FarmsKingsville, Ontario, Canada Age: 28Hometown: Tecumseh, Ontario, CanadaHobbies: Hiking, Running, Travel, ReadingFamily/Community: Special Olympics, 2SLGBTQIA+ support.Motto in life: Life is long, it would be pretty boring if we had to stay the same versions of ourselves the whole time. Embrace the change, get comfortable being… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Mason Goolsby Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Marketing CoordinatorShuman FarmsReidsville, GA Age: 27Hometown: Stockbridge, GAHobbies: Cooking, Reading, Georgia football, Braves baseballFamily/Community: SEPC STARS Committee, University of Georgia CAES Alumni Association, Feeding America volunteer, Animal rescue advocateMotto in life: Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Goolsby has always had a passion for agriculture, but had limited exposure… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Lou Getzelman Jr. Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Vice PresidentCanyon Sales CompanyBronx, NY Age: 39Hometown: North Massapequa, NYHobbies: Fitness, Golf, Coaching his kidsFamily/Community: Married, 2 children, St. Luke’s Catholic ChurchMotto in life: Win or Learn. Getzelman was raised around produce, given his father, Louis Getzelman Sr., is a 45-year veteran of the industry. After graduating from Lehigh University,… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Nikki Ford Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Director of ProcurementFoster-CavinessColfax, NC Age: 39Hometown: Goldsboro, NCHobbies: Painting, Drawing, Spending time with family and friends, CookingFamily/Community: Single, 1 child (in college)Motto in life: Don’t be afraid to fail. Most failed attempts turn into lessons learned. Ford started her career at Whole Foods in Cheshire, CT, where she worked from… ... Read More 2024 40 Under Forty Winner: Wes Finch Posted in: 40 Under Forty, Awards - Vice President of Produce OperationsPepperNew York, NY Age: 39Hometown: Houston, TXHobbies: Coaching son’s baseball teams, Honing novice BBQ skills, Hunting, FishingFamily/Community: Married, 2 children, Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, Wilchester Men’s Club charityMotto in life: “People just want to be taken care of.” — George Finch (his father) Finch has… ... Read More