The Tribune

Solomon's brand manager, Monalisa Sweeting, travelled to Minneapolis last month to attend a grocer's expo put on by US-based wholesale supplier SUPERVALU. There, she received a nomination for the Master Marketer Award after successfully executing health fairs and a fun/run walk at Solomon's Super Centre and Solomon's Fresh Market. The local events are community initiatives geared towards educating the public on the benefits of healthy living. Ms Sweeting's marketing efforts earned her a spot in the top six finalists out of 514 submitted from food store chains around the world.

According to expo organisers, the submission from the Solomon's team showed exceptional creativity, clarity and effectiveness. Judges for this year's award winners included marketing professors and graduate students from the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) and St Joseph University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Ms Sweeting said submitting a first time entry and receiving this level of recognition reinforces the work being done to connect the Solomon's brand to the larger Bahamian community.

"I am beyond grateful to be nominated as a first time entrant and being among the top six out of 514 entries around the world. This is an honour within itself," Ms Sweeting said. "I am also thankful to work for a company where opportunities are created for employees to be recognised on an international scale."

This year's expo also gave buyers and brand managers at AML Foods, the parent company of Solomon's Super Centre and Solomon's Fresh Market, an opportunity to meet with wholesalers and sample new and affordable products to introduce to the Bahamian market.

SUPERVALU is a grocery industry leader, serving customers through a network of more than 2,000 owned, franchised, and independently owned stores across the country. The company hosts annual expos to bring buyers and distributors together.

Solomon's Super Centre and Solomon's Fresh Market said they will continue to engage the community through health fairs, fun run/walks, cooking demonstrations, in-store lectures and other healthy lifestyle initiatives throughout the year.