ORLANDO, FL - The National Mango Board (NMB) held its ninth annual Mango Mania Display contest this past June. Retailers nationwide gunning for the cash prize submitted impressive, eye-catching displays that had to be displayed at least a week to be qualified. After seeing the resulting pictures, I can say on behalf of everybody that yes, they deserved to be crowned the winners.

“The level of creativity and the hard work that our retail partners put into building their mango displays deserve to be applauded,” stated Valda Coryat, Director of Marketing at the NMB. “The retailers’ excitement to promote this super fun superfruit is energizing! This contest continues to be a great way to engage our retailers while boosting mango sales and movement.”

Over $1,500 in cash incentives were awarded to the six winning stores. Every store that participated, however, won a $15 digital gift card just by entering the contest. Not only that, but stores that chose to include Tajín products in their displays received an additional $15 incentive. The incentives garnered tremendous excitement throughout produce departments across the country. According to the press release, stores were encouraged to use NMB’s point-of-sale (POS) materials that showcased selection, cutting, and nutrition messages to educate shoppers, as well as use their own creativity and props into the catchy displays.

Of the 120 eligible entries, unfortunately only six winners were able to be chosen. To make matters more interesting, NMB decided to split the contest into two categories—one category consisted of retailers with six or less registers, the second was for seven or more registers. The judges based their decision on creativity of the display, visual appeal, and effectiveness in educating customers about mangos.

The top winners in each category were:

1 to 6 registers

• 1st Place, $500 prize: Lacy Dunn, Safeway, Springfield, OR
• 2nd Place, $250 prize: Carlos Gomez, Foodland Markets, Waxahachie, TX
• 3rd Place, $100 prize: Ryan Petralia, Price Rite, Rochester, NY

7 or more registers

• 1st Place, $500 prize: Russell Varga, Chuck’s Produce, Vancouver, WA
• 2nd Place, $250 prize: Allen Thomas, Chuck’s Produce, Vancouver, WA
• 3rd Place, $100 prize: Willie Szabo, Price Rite Marketplace, Rochester, NY

Are trade news publication sites allowed to get in on this next year? We’ll see. Keep following ANUK for more excitement-inducing news of the produce world.

National Mango Board