IRVINE, CA – At PMA Fresh Summit this weekend, the California Avocado Commission (CAC) announced the retailer winners from its 2014 5-Star Performance Program.
According to a press release, participants in the program earned points toward prizes by conducting or participating in various marketing activities that supported California avocados.
Save Mart was awarded the grand prize and Jim Corby, Sr. Director of Customer Solutions – Produce, accepted the award. Sprouts Farmers Market, Stater Bros., Northwest Grocers, Albertsons Southern California and Nugget Markets were other top winners. In total, 23 retailers earned prizes.
“I’d like to congratulate all of the winners and participants of the California Avocado Commission’s 5-Star Performance Program and thank them for contributing to a successful 2014 season,” said Jan DeLyser, CAC Vice President of Marketing. “Many of the prize-winning retailers visited CAC’s PMA Fresh Summit booth and had a good time selecting their rewards on spot.”
Aside from announcing the contest winners, CAC was also a platinum sponsor of the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) and hosted supermarket registered dietitians (SRD) tour on Saturday. More than 20 SRDs visited CAC’s booth to learn about California avocados, the California avocado label and nutrition.
Registered Dietitian (RD) Katie Ferraro showed the SRDs how to conduct demos of an easy, nutritious snack recipe, California Avocado Cucumber Cups. After the expo visits, the SRDs traveled with CAC and PBH staff to Rancho Mission Viejo for an avocado grower tour and dinner.
On Sunday, CAC also hosted a brunch for retailers in its booth showcasing how California avocados are good for breakfast and snacking. The Commission served California Avocado Blueberry Muffins and guest Chef/RD Michelle Dudash’s California Avocado Breakfast Casserole with Spinach and Sweet Potatoes.
“The turnout for this year’s PMA’s Fresh Summit was outstanding and we really enjoy having the opportunity to showcase our product and programs in California,” said DeLyser. “We’re very pleased with the opportunities CAC had to meet with retailer executives, supermarket dietitians, the media, growers and peers in the produce industry.”
CAC’s exhibit featured the story behind the California avocado label and the craftsmanship and care that goes into cultivating California avocados.
Congratulations to all of the retail winners!
