SACRAMENTO, CA - When we put together the Besties Awards program each year, our goal is to shine a light on those individuals and companies who significantly shape our collective success as a fresh produce industry. They not only go above and beyond in their own roles but have made fresh produce a beautiful way of life for themselves and those near them. This year, it was our honor to present the Retailer of the Year award to one such amazing person: Ryan Sanchez, Produce Sales Manager for Albertsons and Vons.

“I am honored to not only receive this award but to even be in the discussion is humbling. I have been in this industry for 30 years, and the most important thing that I have learned is this is a people business and if you treat people right, partnerships will develop, and the rest will work itself out. It’s all about building relationships and growing together,” Ryan shared with me.

In his role as Produce Sales Manager for Albertsons and Vons, Ryan has skillfully introduced innovations without upsetting the apple cart. His unique ability to balance the introduction of new ideas with the stability of existing systems is truly remarkable, and it reassures us about the future of the industry.

As our President and CEO Robert Lambert said when presenting Ryan with the award: Ryan is not just a retailer; he is a relationship builder. He understands the importance of partnerships and consistently fosters innovation while keeping things stable. His philosophy of “letting the consumer decide” shows his respect for the customers and his commitment to giving them what they want.

Ryan considers himself a simple person and has three passions in life: his family, Sandy and three kids; work; and Raider football—all examples of the contagious passion he has for everything he does.

Don’t believe me? His dedication to his NFL team is so strong that he even gave his only son the middle name “Raider.”

Ryan Sanchez, your dedication, innovation, and leadership have elevated Albertsons and set a standard for all of us in the industry. Your ability to blend tradition with progress while always putting the consumer first is truly inspiring.

I would also like to thank our advisory committee for participating in this year's award program. The committee is composed of experienced retail buyers or individuals with substantial experience and knowledge in their respective fields.

This year, they voted on every category except for one—Retailer of the Year—which our team selected. Each committee member received a ballot with three nominations for each general award category. Based on their votes, the winners of the Bestie Awards are determined.

Congratulations, Ryan, on this well-deserved honor. Thank you for your 30 years of commitment and for being a true leader in every sense of the word.