United Fresh to Honor Costco’s Shavey at 2009 Reception Honoring Women in Produce

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh) announced that the 2009 Reception Honoring Women in Produce will honor Costco Wholesale’s assistant general marketing manager for fresh foods and produce Heather Shavey on Thursday night, April 22 at the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. Held in conjunction with the United Fresh 2009 expo and convention, the Reception Honoring Women in Produce is designed to honor all women working in the produce industry and will honor Shavey for her innovation and continued service to the produce industry.

A tenured veteran of the produce industry, Shavey is celebrating her 25th anniversary with Costco Wholesale this year. Starting as a warehouse caller in 1984, Shavey climbed through the ranks and has excelled as assistant general merchandise manager for fresh foods and produce for the Issaquah, Wash.-based retailer since 2004. Shavey is a graduate of the University of Washington, and holds a certificate of executive leadership from Seattle University. An avid skier and golfer, Shavey lives in Kirkland, Wash. with her husband Greg and daughters Gabrielle and Giselle.

 “It’s such an honor to receive this award and be counted in such an esteemed group of past recipients,” said Shavey. “Now more than ever, women play crucial roles and are needed in all stages of the fresh and fresh cut produce industry – from farm to fork.  This recognition is as much theirs as it is mine.”

This annual reception has established itself as one of the more popular networking events at the 1400-member association’s annual expo and convention. This year’s United Fresh show will be held at the Sands MegaCenter in Las Vegas, Nev. April 21-24.

Past honorees include:

Tonya Antle, Earthbound Farm
Frieda Caplan, Frieda’s, Inc.
Margaret D’Arrigo, D’Arrigo Brothers of California
Jan DeLyser, California Avocado Commission
Jan Fleming, Strube Celery & Vegetable  Company
Janice Honigberg, Sun Belle, Inc.
Kathleen Nave, California Table Grape Commission
Dr. Martha Rhodes-Roberts, Florida Commissioner’s Office for Food Safety
Steffanie Smith, River Point Farms LLC
Rosemary Talley, Talley Farms
Jenny Tenney, The Kroger Company