Wisconsin Dells, WI – The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) named Tammy Zeeryp of Metro Market in Cottage Grove the winner of its inaugural Flower Arranging Contest, held during the WGA Innovation Expo at the Wilderness Resort. Zeeryp claimed the top honor in an elite field of grocery floral professionals competing in a live flower arranging challenge.
Sponsored by Krueger Wholesale Florist, the inaugural contest challenged three floral professionals to create a unique arrangement using only the fresh flowers and vase provided. With a surprise end-of-summer theme revealed at the start of the competition, contestants had just 30 minutes to develop their concepts and bring their designs to life.
WGA Innovation Expo attendees selected the winner through People’s Choice voting, with Zeeryp earning the most votes and becoming the contest’s first champion.
“I’m honored to be recognized at the state level, allowing me to continue to grow as a designer and do what I love as a career,” Zeeryp said.
The competition highlighted the specialized creativity and craftsmanship of grocery store floral professionals, who use their artistic talents to create arrangements that bring beauty and a personal touch to customers and communities across Wisconsin.
“Floral departments are an important part of the grocery store experience, bringing beauty and creativity to communities across Wisconsin,” said Jacob Fochs, chief operating officer at Krueger Wholesale Florist, Inc. “We are proud to sponsor the WGA Flower Arranging Contest and celebrate the talented individuals who bring their creativity and passion to this important part of the grocery industry. Events like this give floral professionals an opportunity to showcase their skills and inspire others throughout the industry.”
WGA Board of Directors Chair Steve Burkhardt said the contest also showcased the range of talent and services found in Wisconsin grocery stores.
“Grocery stores offer a wide variety of products and services, including in-house floral departments that serve their local communities,” WGA Board of Directors Chair Steve Burkhardt said. “This contest is one of the many ways employees can showcase the creativity and talent found throughout Wisconsin’s grocery industry.”
WGA president and CEO Mike Semmann said the inaugural competition offered a unique way to recognize the people behind one of the many services that make Wisconsin grocery stores an important part of their communities.
“Behind every grocery store is a team of talented professionals who bring expertise, creativity and care to the work they do each day,” Semmann said. “We are proud to celebrate these employees and the talent they bring to their stores and customers every day.”
SPECIAL NOTES:
- Photos from the WGA Innovation Expo are from official event photographer Lashawna Vogel of Lashawna’s Lens.
- Image 1: Winner with floral design. Photo courtesy of Steve Kinishi of Roundy’s.
- Image 2-4: Contestant images.
ABOUT THE WISCONSIN GROCERS ASSOCIATION (WGA)
The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) is a non-profit trade association established in 1900 to represent independent grocers and grocery chains, warehouses and brokers, vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers before all levels of government. The WGA provides educational and networking opportunities, leadership training, public affairs, and compliance information for its membership.
WGA and its membership have significant economic impact in the state of Wisconsin. The WGA represents nearly 350 independent grocers with multiple locations across the state, more than 200 retail grocery chain stores, warehouses and distributors, convenience stores, food brokers and suppliers. Wisconsin grocers employ over 30,000 people with over $1 billion in payroll and generate more than $12 billion in annual sales in Wisconsin resulting in approximately $800 million in state sales tax revenue (data provided by The Food Institute).
