P.O. Box 948153
Maitland, FL 32794
www.ffva.com

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ray Gilmer or Barbara Wunder 321-214-5200

FLORIDA FRUIT & VEGETABLE ASSOCIATION PRESENTS MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR AWARD TO PUBLIX FOR STRAWBERRY CAMPAIGN

ORLANDO, Fla. (September 27, 2005) Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association recognized two Publix supermarket produce executives today for their efforts to promote Florida strawberries. The association presented its 2005 Merchandiser of the Year Award to Paul Keating and Roger Meehan at its 62nd Annual Convention held at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, near Orlando.

The Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) nominated the pair for the award after working with them on a display contest involving produce departments in 849 stores throughout the Southeast. Keating and Meehan handled logistics from the retailer side.

The promotion also featured Florida strawberries in print advertising.
"We thank Publix for their support and congratulate them on a successful campaign," said FSGA Director Chip Hinton.

"It's gratifying to see the efforts that Publix has made to promote an important Florida-grown product," said Danny Raulerson, FFVA's director of marketing.
Founded by the late George W. Jenkins in 1930 in Winter Haven, Florida, Publix is
celebrating its 75th year of providing its customers with outstanding quality and exceptional service. The chain is the largest employee-owned supermarket chain in the United States, with 862 supermarkets in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.

FFVA's Merchandiser of the Year Award is only one of many Publix has received over the years. They include the Diversistar Award for excelling in promoting workplace diversity practices (2003), one of Child magazine's Top 10 Family-Friendly Supermarkets (2003), one of FORTUNE's "100 Best Companies to Work For" (1998 - 2005) and one of Jacksonville Magazine's top 25 Family Friendly Companies (2000-2003).

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is an agricultural trade organization representing Florida's producers of fruits, vegetables and other crops.

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Editors note: Photo available. Please email barbara.wunder@ffva.com.