Each year, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) hosts the annual Retail Produce Manager Awards. The program recognizes the top 20 produce managers within the industry and selects five overall Produce Manager of the Year grand-prize winners. 

Ragan Brooks, produce manager for the Food City in Abingdon, VA was named a Produce Manager of the Year grand-prize winner. Brooks received the award earlier this month at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, GA.

“The entire Food City family is very proud of Ragan’s accomplishments, and we would like to congratulate her on this well-deserved honor. Ragan is a tremendous asset to our company and the community as a whole. She is dedicated to providing our customers with the best service, quality, and variety, while promoting the many health benefits of eating fresh produce,” says Joe Greene, Food City vice president of produce operations.

IFPA recognizes produce managers for “their dedication to boosting fresh produce sales, innovative merchandising, community service and customer satisfaction.” The winners are selected from hundreds of nominations submitted throughout the retail industry. 

Brooks demonstrates exceptional leadership, operational expertise, and an unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Having begun her career with the company at age sixteen, Brooks has held a number of positions, including cashier, day stocker, dairy helper, meat cutter, produce helper, and assistant manager, gaining extensive, hands-on experience across all areas of store operations.

In her current role as produce manager, Brooks is recognized for her precision, professionalism, and dedication to excellence. She takes great pride in maintaining the highest standards of freshness and presentation in the produce department, ensuring that customers consistently receive top quality fruits and vegetables. Through her leadership, Food City has achieved notable success in promoting healthier eating habits within the community. Brooks recent initiative to increase organic sales has resulted in growth of up to 80 percent, and she continues to champion partnerships with local farms to highlight and expand the company’s selection of locally grown produce.

A graduate of King University where she earned her bachelor’s degree, Brooks is a dedicated wife and avid basketball enthusiast. Her passion for teamwork and strong work ethic are reflected in both her personal and professional life, making her an invaluable member of the Food City leadership team.

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 164 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama.