Local specialty crops grower receives recognition

<p class="p1">A Southern Illinois specialty crops grower was honored recently by Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc.  </p><p class="p1">Wayne and Michelle Sirles of Rendleman Orchards in Alto Pass accepted an award at the 2015 Roundy’s Supermarkets, Love Your Local Farmer Banquet in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Thursday, Jan. 22.</p><p class="p1">The award recognized Rendleman Orchards as the Most Generations in Family Farming Since 1873, in the Roundy’s Supermarkets Locally Grown program.</p><p class="p1">Roundy's Supermarkets Inc. is a retail grocery company headquartered in Milwaukee.  </p><p class="p1">Roundy’s serves customers throughout Wisconsin and in the greater Chicago area.  </p><p class="p1">They operate four retail banners: Pick ‘n Save, Copps, Metro Market and Mariano’s.  </p><p class="p1">Roundy’s Supermarkets places a strong emphasis on finding local farmers to partner with who share the same values in providing their customers with the highest quality locally grown produce.</p><p class="p1">Rendleman Orchards began selling its Illinois locally grown produce, both peaches and apples, to the Roundy’s Illinois Mariano’s stores last year.  </p><p class="p1">With the opening of the 30th Mariano’s store in Illinois this month, Rendleman Orchards looks to grow this relationship further this year and in the years ahead. </p><p class="p2"> </p>

<p class="p1">From left are Steve Jarzombeck, vice president of produce for Roundy's/Mariano's; Steve Markovich, category manager of produce for the company; and Michelle and Wayne Sirles of Rendleman Orchards. </p><p class="p2"> </p>