Jimbo Howard, produce manager for the Pikeville, KY  Food City was recently named a grand-prize winner in the 2016 Retail Produce Manager of the Year Awards.  Each year, United Fresh Produce Association recognizes the top 25 produce managers within the industry during their annual convention.  Five grand-prize winners are selected from among the field of competitors.  This year’s convention was held in Chicago, IL, June 20-23. 

“These men and women represent the “best of the best” in our industry,” said Tom Stenzel, United Fresh President & CEO.  “Through their creative efforts and interaction with customers, they’re making produce a centerpiece of the retail shopping experience and wowing consumers everyday.”

The candidates were selected from hundreds of nominations submitted by supermarket chains, commissaries and independent retail stores throughout the industry.  The award recognizes outstanding achievement in the areas of produce merchandising/marketing, community service and commitment to total customer satisfaction.

“Jimbo is an innovative merchandiser, continually identifying new and creative ways to cross merchandise products throughout the entire store,” says Bucky Slagle, Director of Produce Operations for Food City.  “He is extremely committed to educating consumers about the health benefits of produce and is a dedicated promoter of Food City’s locally grown produce initiative.” 

Howard is a strong supporter of the company’s sampling program, having established set sampling hours and offering samples of new items within the department.  He promotes the Fruits & Veggies More Matters and My Plate campaigns within his department and at area schools, discussing the benefits of healthy eating habits with students and offering samples of fresh fruits and vegetables.  He also makes samples available at various community events to raise awareness of the health benefits associated with fresh produce, including Relay for Life, Christmas for Kids, Coats for Kids, Senior Center, Kid’s Week, Hatfield and McCoy Marathon, Easter Egg Hunt, Kid’s Fishing Day, Vacation Bible School, Salad for the Schools program and his local WIC office.  Howard hosts school tours on a regular basis, introducing the children to different items within the department, relaying nutritional information and emphasizing the benefits of healthy eating, while allowing students to sample different fruits and vegetables.  He is also dedicated to supporting his community’s local farmers through the company’s locally grown produce initiative, hosting an annual produce tent sale during peak growing season and devoting an entire aisle of display space to locally grown fruits and vegetables.   

“Jimbo is dedicated to his customers and his community,” adds Slagle.  “He is a tremendous asset to our company and the community as a whole and we certainly congratulate him on this great honor.”

Food City associates were also named award winners in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. 

Pictured Above (left to right):
James Spears, Food City Produce Supervisor
Jimbo Howard, winner
Bucky Slagle, Food City Director of Produce Operations

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 135 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, Chattanooga and north Georgia.