PMA names inaugural retail award winners

To kick off the Global Street Fair reception at the Produce Marketing Association’s Virtual Fresh Summit on Oct. 14, four retailers were named the inaugural Retail Merchant Innovation Award winners.

The award recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of a director or vice president of produce who has created an “entrepreneurial culture” and promoted “best in class merchant innovation, promotion and consumer education.”

Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing for Sage Fruit presented the awards to:

• Scott Bennett of Jewel-Osco, a division of Albertsons LLC BB #:193326;
• Mike Tipton of Schnuck Markets Inc. BB #:105541;
• Bridgett Bennett of the Defense Commissary Agency; and
• Jeff Cady of Tops Markets LLC BB #:103173.

Three of four of the winners were on hand to receive the awards virtually.

“Jewell-Osco, as a team, are really proud of this award,” Scott Bennett said. “I’m really grateful, really humbled to actually achieve this award.”

“I’m sure there were many great entries to choose from,” said Bridget Bennett. “I love what I do, and I enjoy being a part of this industry.”

“We just feel very blessed to be a part of the produce industry and a part of this association,” Cady said.