The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) revealed the list of five top executives driving innovation in the retail sector who won IFPA’s Retail Merchant Innovation Award.
IFPA said the five winners will be recognized at the Retail Awards Reception on October 18 at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, Georgia.
“These winners have elevated their retail strategy to new heights while driving produce consumption,” said IFPA Vice President of Retail, Foodservice & Wholesale Joe Watson. “We are thrilled to honor them with well-deserved recognition on a global stage.”
IFPA awarded winners in five store-count categories:
Price Mabry, Corner Market (1-50 stores), VP Sales and Marketing, Hattiesburg, MS.
Price Mabry has garnered numerous honors and awards throughout his career, underscoring his outstanding contributions to the retail sector. The Southeast Produce Council has repeatedly nominated him for the “Up and Coming Produce Professional of the Year.”
In 2021, Produce Business Magazine included Price in its 40 Under 40 list and featured him in Generation Next by The Produce News. Continuing to shine, Price was honored in 2023 with recognition in The Packer 25 and named among the Southeast Emerging Leaders by the Shelby Report.
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Joe Hansen, Wegmans (51-150 stores), Produce Category Merchant, Rochester, NY.
A 41-year veteran at Wegmans, Hansen has managed almost every category in the produce department. He has implemented innovative marketing initiatives, such as designing cases for berries to be prominently displayed at the front of the department, making it the largest category in the company.
Hansen has also utilized digital tactics, including digital coupons and supplier stores, to reach customers who don’t enter the store. His dedication to educating store teams about how items are grown and sharing supplier stories has enhanced the customer experience.
Mike Emery, Hannaford Supermarket (151-250 stores), Director of Produce Category, Scarborough, ME.
Emery is recognized for his extraordinary drive, passion, and dedication. He leads company initiatives, coaches on merchandising, and inspires innovation and growth across the ADUSA company.
His passion for merchandising is evident in his leadership of Hannaford Supermarket’s Fresh Produce, where he ensures the execution of retail merchandising strategies and the development of future strategy pillars for the next 5 to 10 years. Emery’s leadership and deep understanding of the customer have elevated Hannaford Produce, driving store performance, market share, and customer traffic.
Ron Lovelace, Meijer, Inc. (251-399 stores), Director of Produce & Floral, Grand Rapids, MI.
Meijer is committed to promoting sustainability among its suppliers, exemplified by introducing Bolthouse Fresh Foods’ Organic Mini Peeled Carrots in compostable bags made from renewable sources.
The successful launch and complete distribution of these compostable bags at all Meijer stores was supported by vibrant in-store signage and a QR code that has been used over 10,000 times, has generated 3.7 million impressions and 10.4% store traffic viewability, with 69% of buyers being new to the item.
Meghan Diaz, Sprouts Farmer’s Market (400+ stores), Sr. Director of Local & Regional Produce, Phoenix, AZ.
Diaz exemplifies transparent partnership by setting clear expectations, providing honest feedback, and creating a strong feedback loop to ensure continuous improvement.
A confident, honest, and authentic retail leader who inspires others through her personal and professional experiences, Diaz actively supports local agriculture and charities. She is known for collaborating with several suppliers for initiatives at Sprouts, including a successful program in 2023 and 2024 to highlight Florida-grown Passion Fruit from a women’s and family-owned grower in Okeechobee, FL.
“Congratulations to these innovative retail execs for demonstrating remarkable creativity and dedication to advancing the industry and setting a new standard of excellence in produce marketing,” Watson said. “We look forward to seeing the continued impact of their unique strategies.”