TLANTA: Oct. 14, 2011 — The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Foundation for Industry Talent honoured winners of its third-annual 5K Race for Talent held on Friday, Oct. 14, at the Centennial Olympic Park in conjunction with PMA’s Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition in Atlanta, USA.Medals were awarded to the top three overall male and female finishers, as well as to the top two male and female finishers in each age group. To add to the fun, awards were also handed out to Chiquita for best team spirit, to Team Dole as largest team to register and Team Costco for best team attire.
The top overall male finishers were:
Peppe Bonfiglio of Atlanta, Ga., USA with a time of 18 minutes, 23 seconds
- Bert Mucci of Ontario, Canada with a time of 18:42
- Rodrigo Roach from Chile with a time of 19:46
- The top overall female finishers were:
- Eliza Voita of Calabasas, Calif., USA with a time of 20:54
- Becky Burnworth of Tampa, Fla., USA with a time of 21:48
- Jill Lenz of Watsonville, Calif., USA with a time of 22:46
More than 600 individuals participated in the race, which raised more than $110,000 from sponsorship for the foundation and its mission to attract, develop and retain talent for the produce industry. An awards ceremony followed promptly to recognize the winners as well as a grand finale “flash mob’ dance routine at the Olympic Park.
“The overwhelming support demonstrated at this year’s 5K Race for Talent will take us a long ways in developing and implementing programs toward our goal of ensuring that the future of our industry is carried forward with individuals with the necessary skill sets,” said Margi Prueitt, executive director of the Foundation. “We are especially grateful for the record number of sponsors who stepped up to take part this year.”
Sponsors of the 5K Race for Talent were as follows:
Champion Sponsors:
Chiquita Brands International Inc., Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc., Green Giant Fresh, Grimmway Farms, NatureSweet, Sunkist Growers Inc., Taylor Farms Support Sponsors: Alsum Farms & Produce, B&C Fresh Sales, Ben B. Schwartz and Sons Inc., Bronco Packaging Corp., Caito Foods, California Giant Berry Farms, Covered Logistics & Transportation,
Curry & Co., DMA Solutions Inc., Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Fresh Direct Produce, Giorgia Fresh Co., Highline Mushrooms, IFCO Systems, Indianapolis Fruit Co., LGS Specialty Sales Ltd., Liberty Fruit Co. Inc., Mariani Packing Co., Tanimura & Antle Inc., Veg–Fresh Farms, West Pak Avocado
Balloon Arch Sponsor: Chiquita Brands International Inc.
Bottled Water Sponsor: Village Farms
Food and Beverage Sponsors: Castellini Group of Cos. and Paramount Citrus
Glow Bracelet Sponsor: Clifford Produce
Grand Finale Sponsor: Pink Lady, America
iPod Raffle Sponsor: Earthcycle Packaging
Photo Booth Sponsor: Georgia-Pacific
Race Bag Sponsor: Frieda’s Inc.
Race Direction Sponsor: Del Campo Supreme
Race Hat Sponsor: Classic Salads LLC
Runner
Bib Sponsor: River Point Farms
Sports Bottle Sponsor: Ben B. Schwartz & Sons Inc.
Student Runner Sponsor: Frontera Produce
Time & Distance Sponsor: Jac. Vandenberg Inc.
The PMA Foundation for Industry Talent was founded in 2006 by Produce Marketing Association, the leading trade association for the produce industry. The PMA Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation providing produce companies with unique programs to attract, develop and retain the produce industry’s most valuable resource — talented people. The PMA Foundation is dedicated to ensuring a quality workforce for the industry, and making a positive difference in the lives of current and future produce professionals by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth and career success.
Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association representing companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing business solutions that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption. For more information, visit www.pma.com.
