LAKELAND, FL - Publix honored six associates with the Mr. George Community Service Award for outstanding commitment to their communities during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting.

Publix founder George Jenkins believed that Publix and its associates should make a difference in their communities. The Mr. George Community Service Award annually recognizes associates who have continued his legacy of giving back. Since 1995, 159 associates have received this prestigious honor.

“George Jenkins believed that for a company to be successful, it needs to be involved in the communities it serves,” said Publix CEO Kevin Murphy in a recent press release. “I’m proud of our associates for carrying on his legacy of giving back through their dedication to improving their communities.”

About the award

Each year, one associate from each retail division and one support associate are recognized with the award. The associates are actively involved in their communities and represent the generous spirit of Publix’s founder.

2025 recipients

• Atlanta Division: Store Manager Henry Louis Bradley III, #1075, Northport, Ala.
• Charlotte Division: Store Manager Jason Wilkes, #1519, Mooresville, N.C.
• Jacksonville Division: Store Manager Meredith Pearson, #99, St. Augustine, Fla.
• Lakeland Division: Assistant Store Manager Liz Plemons, #1659, Lakeland, Fla.
• Miami Division: Customer Service Team Leader Steven Ferreiro, #222, Miami.
• Support: Business Development Director of Dry Grocery and Non-Food Consumables Cindy Roberts, Lakeland, Fla.

Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 255,000 associates, currently operates 1,399 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. For 28 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s newsroom at corporate.publix.com/newsroom.

CHARLOTTE, NC - ​Dole Food Company is continually expanding its tropical fruit offerings, introducing new products and varieties to meet market and consumer demand for innovative and diverse high-quality produce.​ I sat down with Bil Goldfield, Director of Corporate Communications, to discuss further.

“In April 2024, Dole launched a comprehensive line of mangos, including Ataulfo, Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keitt, and Haden varieties. This year, we have expanded the program in every way, capitalizing on our scale and logistics to deliver more mangos from more sources year-round. DOLE Mangos are currently sourced from Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru,” Bil elaborated. “Each variety offers unique flavors and textures, catering to a wide range of consumer preferences—from lower fiber and very sweet to high fiber and more complex flavors.”

The mango program was introduced right on the heels of the 2023 introduction of the Golden Selection® Pineapples. Characterized by a deeper golden shell, richer golden flesh, and a delicate aroma, this premium pineapple was developed to provide Dole consumers with an exceptional sweetness experience. These pineapples are meticulously grown and ripened to perfection on the plant.

“In keeping with this annual trend, we are very excited about a new addition to our tropical fruit offerings later this year. While it’s too early to share details, we are very excited about this and anticipate it to be a true game changer for the category,” Bil teased. “These product developments underscore Dole's dedication to expanding our tropical fruit selection and delivering premium-quality produce to meet evolving consumer tastes.​”

Leveraging creative strategies to drive demand in the tropical category, Dole is launching a "Spirit of Ohana" promotion with Disney's Stitch from April 1 to July 30. Dole’s campaign is the latest in its nearly decade-long partnership with The Walt Disney Company, aimed at making nutrition and healthy eating more fun, adventurous, and welcoming.

“This five-month in-store, digital, and social media initiative is focused on the long-established hospitality themes of pineapples as well as the goodness, wellness, and joy that tropical fruit can bring to families and friends,” Bil told me. “The campaign kicked off April 2 and continues through the summer. Campaign elements include a dedicated destination website; millions of DOLE® Tropical Gold Pineapple hangtags and DOLE® Banana stickers; character-inspired recipes and gathering ideas; digital downloads; and educational, DIY, and other videos.”

Additional campaign specifics will be announced in the coming months, including ways for shoppers to extend their own spirit of Ohana to those in need of recognition, hospitality, or a sense of family. Dole is also collaborating with retailers to develop point-of-sale (POS) and other in-store materials to directly impact shoppers.

Bring the spirit of Ohana to your produce department and watch as shopper foot traffic heads toward the tropical display.