Progressive Grocer will recognize the greenest grocers and top women in the industry Nov. 2, 2009, at the publication’s Corporate Social Responsibility Awards, to be held during the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) Merchandising, Sales, and Marketing Conference at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix.

Virtually every grocer in the industry is doing something green, and while we’ve chosen a select few for our Green Grocer Awards, the Progressive Grocer staff would like to acknowledge that the food retail industry as a whole has made great strides in their efforts to create a healthier planet.

Those retailers selected for the awards have undertaken either highly innovative projects, such as HEB’s program that rewards commuters who use Earth-friendly means of transportation, or have made efforts to help the industry as a whole become greener, such as Wal-Mart’s plan to develop a worldwide sustainable product index.

“Social responsibility continues to be growing focus not only from grocers and companies within the industry, but from the audience this industry serves,” said Michelle Moran, Progressive Grocer’s Editor-in-Chief. “Progressive Grocer applauds those in the industry who continue to strive not only to provide the best for their customers, but also for the environment and world at large. These are truly not only socially responsible entities, but also globally responsible companies worthy of acknowledgement and commendation.”

Progressive Grocer’s Top Women in Grocery Awards honor those industry females who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and who wield substantial influence in their companies and the industry at large. Full profiles of each honoree can be found at http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/pg_20090607/index.php#/22

“I was more involved than ever in this year’s judging for our third Annual Top Women in Grocery, and the entries were incredible,” said Olivia Wilson, Publisher of Progressive Grocer. “We received over 400 entries, and it was very difficult to select the top 100. They are all very deserving in one way or another. Last year’s celebration event was attended by 150-plus retailers and manufacturers. I am looking forward to this year’s celebration of our Corporate Social Responsibility Awards on during GMA’s MSM Conference.”

Selection for the Top Women in Grocery list is a meticulous process based on nominations from within the industry and on strict criteria set out by Progressive Grocer’s team of editors. It is an annual undertaking for Progressive Grocer as more and more women continue to progress into the upper echelons of food industry management. This year’s categories were Senior-Level Executives, Rising Stars and Store Managers.

“My involvement in Top Women this year proved to be an excellent opportunity to witness the growth in female-driven initiatives and projects,” added Moran. “The inclusion of women in a wide variety of positions provided us with a window into the rich community of women the grocery industry employs. Every woman nominated was deserving of her own recognition. The resulting list of 2009 Top Women in Grocery demonstrates the true breadth of talent and achievement that women bring to the industry.”

Tickets for the dinner are available at www.gmamsm.com. For sponsorship opportunities for the Corporate Social Responsibility Awards Dinner, please call Olivia Wilson at 646-654-7561 or owilson@progressivegrocer.com. For more information, visit www.progressivegrocer.com.