Kowalski’s Oase Wins MGA Best in Class Award

Mike Oase, VP of operations for Twin Cities-area grocery retailer Kowalski’s Markets, was honored by the Minnesota Grocers Association with one of the group’s 2017 Best in Class Awards.

Oase accepted the award April 19 at MGA’s Industry Connects luncheon in Bloomington, Minn. Also honored was Mark Brandt of snack food maker Old Dutch Foods, based in Roseville, Minn.

“The MGA is so proud to recognize the dedication and achievements of those whose day to day efforts are laying the foundation for a vibrant and thriving industry,” said Jamie Pfuhl, MGA president.  “These winners demonstrate the hard work and commitment to excellence that makes our industry truly great.”

Pfuhl and MGA Board Chair Mark Collier of Superfair Foods presented each award winner with a commemorative plaque at the ceremony.

The MGA Best in Class Award acknowledges the “best of the best” in Minnesota’s food industry, demonstrating leadership, results and positive growth to their companies through their direction at the store level.

Nominations were submitted by MGA members and judged on positive sales growth through the development and execution of new programs, the ability to foster company engagement and provide opportunity for employee personal and professional development, and demonstrated community support and involvement.

Established in 1897, St. Paul, Minn.-based MGA is a state trade association with more than 200 retail members representing 1,100 stores statewide, plus some 100 distributors and manufacturers.