Being named a retail produce manager of the year came as a complete surprise to Port Townsend Food Co-op employee Laura Llewellyn.
“I feel like I’m new to this world,” said Llewellyn, 31, of …
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Being named a retail produce manager of the year came as a complete surprise to Port Townsend Food Co-op employee Laura Llewellyn.
“I feel like I’m new to this world,” said Llewellyn, 31, of being in the retail produce arena. “To be so highly recognized was very affirming that I’m on the right track.”
Llewellyn comes from a commercial farming background, and has been with the co-op “just shy of two years.” She was given the award by United Fresh Produce Association and Dole Food Co., and was one of 25 retail produce managers throughout 14 different states and two Canadian provinces who were acknowledged for their commitment to fresh produce, innovative merchandising, community service and customer satisfaction.
“What set [Laura] apart was her connection to the local farmers, her education of consumers and bringing the best product to the market,” stated Jeff Oberman, vice president of trade relations, United Fresh Produce Association, in a press release.
Llewellyn grew up on a farm, and managed Red Dog Farm in Chimacum for four years. “I love networking and connecting people, and that’s the heart of this [Food Co-op] job,” Llewellyn said.
“We’re buying from 10 to 20 different vendors a week,” she said. “We’re really trying to seek out individual growers for what we’re wanting to purchase,” and she’s helping the co-op be on the leading edge of the organic movement that’s taking hold in larger corporations such as Costco.
Llewellyn was adamant about making sure her staff received a share of the credit for maintaining the outstanding produce department at the Food Co-op.
Steve Kuboyama, merchandising manager of Charlie’s Produce, Seattle, said the award was a tribute to Laura and her team. “I think [the Food Co-op] is a real intimate setting with great quality and selection; it is a place people want to shop,” he stated.
Llewellyn is to travel to Chicago June 13-15, where she will be honored as one of the 25 award winners.
