ORLANDO, FL – Citing a record number of entries and strong sales from participants, the National Mango Board (NMB) has announced the results of its seventh annual Mango Mania Display Contest.

“The response and enthusiasm we received this year for the display contest was remarkable,” said Valda Coryat, Director of Marketing, in a press release. “This year, the contest broke records on participation and an overall increase in the quality of entries–the competition gets tough each year! This sends us a clear message, retailers are excited to promote mangos, and this contest is a great way to boost mango sales and increase mango movement.”

For one week during the month of July, participating retailers competed to develop the most impressive, eye-catching displays possible in stores across the U.S. 181 entries were judged based on creativity of the display, visual appeal, and effectiveness in educating customers about mangos–a 101 percent increase in participants over the previous year’s competition. The board also reported an outstanding 83 percent increase of mango volume for participating stores, compared to the same week in the prior year.

Winners were sorted into categories by store size. They include:

1 to 6 Registers

• 1st Place, $1,000 prize: Eddie Palacio and Marlene Melendez, Elrod’s Cost Plus, Ft. Worth, TX
• 2nd Place, $800 prize: Juan Delgado and Romero Gonzalez, Elrod’s Cost Plus, Dallas, TX
• 3rd Place, $600 prize: Sergio Fernandez, Elrod’s Cost Plus, Dallas, TX
• 4th Place, $400 prize: Nathen Conat, Bayview Thriftway, Olympia, WA

1 to 6 Registers: Honorable Mentions, $200 Prize Each

• Elizabeth Magana and Ana Fernandez, Elrod’s Cost Plus, Arlington, TX
• John Gernenz, Harps, Searcy, AR
• Irene Sheffield, JustSave Foods, Ramseur, NC
• Tim Baker, Lowes Foods, Hickory, NC
• Tracie Newberry, Piggly Wiggly, Pinetops, NC
• David Gwaltney, United Supermarkets, Clyde, TX
• Chris Gonzales, United Supermarkets, Post, TX
• Katie Bastian, Weis Markets, State College, PA

7 or More Registers

• 1st Place, $1,000 prize: Garrett Fowden, Payson Market, Payson, UT
• 2nd Place, $800 prize: Favio Martinez, Foodland Markets, Forest Hill, TX
• 3rd Place, $600 prize: Maria Chavez, Foodland Markets, Fort Worth, TX
• 4th Place, $400 prize: Israel Huerta and Emmanuel Lopez, Elrod’s Cost Plus, Dallas, TX

Honorable Mentions, 7 or More Registers, $200 Prize Each

• Anthony Estrada, Ball’s Sunfresh Market, Kansas City, KS
• Russell Varga, Chuck’s Produce, Vancouver, OR,
• Dean Goncalves, PriceRite, Cranston, RI
• Vincent Venditti, PriceRite, Johnston, MA
• Linda Dumais, PriceRite, Chicopee, MA
• John Clancy, Rouses Supermarkets, Ponchatoula, LA
• Jessica Granier, Rouses Supermarkets, Thibodaux, LA
• Trig’s, Minocqua, WI

For a complete list of 2017 Mango Mania Display Contest winners, visit Mango.org/contest.

National Mango Board