While many of us hunkered down to get through the winter months, the produce managers at Tops Friendly Markets were heating things up with some healthy competition. During the month of February, associates across Tops’ three-state imprint were challenging one another to a produce Winner Wonderland-themed display contest in their produce department. Winners walked away with not only the coveted title and bragging rights, but also prizes along the way for their district.

“We felt this was a great opportunity to encourage a little healthy competition among our store teams,” said Jeff Cady, director of produce and floral for Tops. “During the winter months especially we know that consumers aren’t naturally thinking about fruits and vegetables. This challenge encourages our associates to remind the community of the importance of getting their five recommended daily servings in a fun and engaging way.”

Over the course of the Winner Wonderland contest, teams had theme weeks of Wonderful Winter Halos, Chilean Taste of Summer Fruit, Potato Lovers Month and Strawberry Slopes. Teams earned points for creativity of their produce displays as well as their ability to increase consumer awareness about the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables. The stakes were high with not only store level prizes on the line, but individual as well at team bonus prizes for any district with 100 percent participation for each weekly event.

The results are in, and the company said some were almost too close to call with many stores nudging each other out week after week for that coveted first place spot. In the end the Southern Tier District took home the trophy.

“Having these contests not only help us differentiate us from our competitors but also help to educate our customers in a fun and engaging way,” said Cady.