Produce industry innovators to be recognized next month

Five winners of the International Fresh Produce Association’s Retail Merchant Innovation awards will be recognized Oct. 17 at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, California.

The IFPA selected winners in five store-count categories: 1-50, 51-150, 151-200, 251-399 and 400-plus.

“This year’s winners exemplify how innovation and passion can transform the retail experience and inspire consumers to choose more fresh produce,” Joe Watson, IFPA vice president of Retail, Foodservice & Wholesale, said in a news release. “Their leadership is not only elevating their companies but also moving the entire industry forward.”

Award winners:

• Michelle Mayhew, Dorothy Lane Market (1-50 stores), director of produce, Dayton, Ohio: Mayhew’s 45 years of industry experience include more than 20 at Dorothy Lane Market.
• Richard Anderson, Smith’s (51-150 stores), director of produce, Salt Lake City, Utah: Anderson started his career with Smith’s in 2003 and has held many positions at store and division office levels.
• Scott Bennett, Jewel-Osco (151-200 stores), produce sales manager, Itasca, Illinois: Benett has more than 40 years of experience in produce.
• Michael Collins, Harris Teeter (251-399 stores), senior manager of produce operations, Matthews, N.C.: Collins, with more than two decades of experience in store management, oversees produce and floral specialists, merchandising strategies and store execution.
• Danielle Hudgick, Sprouts (400+ stores), senior category manager, Phoenix, Arizona: Hudgick oversees sourcing, merchandising and strategy for avocados, citrus and stone fruit.