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After 38 years with the Hy-Vee grocery store chain based in West Des Moines, Iowa, Greg Kimmel has won national recognition for his creativity and extensive produce knowledge.

Kimmel is the produce manager of the Utica Ridge Hy-Vee in Davenport, Iowa, according to a news release. He is one of 15 recipients of the national 2023 Retail Produce Manager Award, a program of International Fresh Produce Association.

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The panel of industry judges selected Kimmel for several reasons, including the merchandising techniques he brings to the produce aisles. Kimmel began his career with Hy-Vee in 1985 and has worked in produce for almost his entire career. For 23 years, he’s led top-performing produce departments across the company, according to the release.

“I am so incredibly honored to win this award,” Kimmel said in the release. “There is a reason why I’ve been in produce for 38 years. I am passionate about the work, and it makes it even easier when you work with a great team.”

Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 285 retail stores throughout eight Midwestern states, with sales of more than $13 billion annually.

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IFPA chooses these 15 produce managers from the U.S. and Canada each year for the award, which is sponsored by Dole Food Co. Five of those 15 are named grand-prize recipients at the association’s Global Produce & Floral Show, with this year's event set for Oct. 19-21 in Anaheim, Calif.

Nominees are judged on their merchandising skills, leadership and community involvement.

“When customers visit the Utica Ridge Hy-Vee, the first thing they see are Greg’s eye-catching produce displays,” Ryan Roberts, Hy-Vee executive vice president of perishables, said in the release. “His creativity and extensive product knowledge make him very deserving of this award.”

Related: Why The Giant Co.'s Breanna Norris is one of the nation's best produce managers