Minnesota Grocers Honor Industry Standouts

The Minnesota Grocers Association awards – recognizing those who have demonstrated excellence, made significant contributions to the industry and are respected by their peers – were presented last month during the group’s summer conference.

The 2011 Outstanding Grocer award was presented to Lund Food Holdings Inc. of Edina, Minn. This award is presented annually to a grocer who has successfully grown a company and is respected by industry peers. Additionally, the recipient must demonstrate contributions to the industry in the areas of government affairs, community service and involvement in the MGA. Lund supports a wide variety of causes within the communities it serves.

Pan-O-Gold Baking Co., St. Cloud, Minn., received the 2011 Outstanding Vendor Award, given to companies that show innovation in customer support, excellence in customer service and MGA involvement.

Willie Martin of Willie’s Super Valu, Morris, Minn., was inducted posthumously into the MGA Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding service and exemplary contributions to Minnesota’s retail food industry. Martin earned respect and admiration for a lifetime of outstanding commitment to the community and retail food industry.

Founded in 1897, MGA has more than 200 retail members with nearly 1,100 stores statewide, as well as approximately 100 distributors and manufacturers.

IN THE PHOTOS (from left):
1: Jamie Pfuhl, MGA president; Tres Lund and Von Martin, Lund Food Holdings Inc.; Craig Thorvig, Chris’ Food Center, MGA chairman.
2: Thorvig; Robin Alton, Pan-O-Gold Baking Co.; Pfuhl.
3: Pfuhl; Paul Martin, Willie’s Super Valu; Thorvig.