DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Oct. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fresh Thyme Market, a Midwest grocer specializing in fresh, organic, and better-for-you foods, vitamins and beauty care items, announces five of its team members were named 2026 Progressive Grocer GenNext honorees.

The highly respected GenNext Awards celebrate emerging leaders who are helping shape the future of the grocery industry through their commitment to customers and the local communities they serve, innovative thinking, and leadership. GenNext award winners demonstrate the ability to overcome challenges, identify opportunities to better serve shoppers and make a difference in and beyond the workplace.

Fresh Thyme Market’s 2026 GenNext honorees are:

• Joe Sanchez – Deli Category Manager
• Zachary Robbins – Store Director (Newport, KY)
• Bri Chin – Natural Living Category Manager
• Jared Anderson – Vegetable Category Manager
• Manny Perez – IT Network & Systems Infrastructure Manager

“I am proud to see Joe, Zach, Bri, Jared and Manny recognized for their exemplary efforts demonstrating Fresh Thyme’s core values, quality, experience and community, and for their abilities to inspire our team. It is exciting to see these leaders not only deliver on our values every day, but to be recognized by an award that embodies these same principles,” said Liz Zolcak, President of Fresh Thyme. “Congratulations to our GenNext winners! Your efforts ensure we continue placing the customer experience first, and helps set us apart as a brand.” 

To learn more about Fresh Thyme, its leadership and community-driven mission, visit freshthyme.com.

About Fresh Thyme Market
Fresh Thyme Market is a better-for-you, Midwest-based grocer with a mission to foster healthier communities by offering real, fresh food, vitamins and body care products. The grocery retailer was born from a genuine desire to help people live better and healthier lives and does so by focusing on three core pillars: quality, experience, and community. Every day Fresh Thyme works to be a trusted resource in the communities where it operates, bringing people access to real food that is accessible. By offering an immersive, intuitive shopping experience and a local focus on the demands of each local community, each store offers fresh, organic and better-for-you foods, vitamins and body care products. To learn more, visit freshthyme.com.

Media Contact:
Phase 3 Marketing & Communications
FreshThyme@Phase3mc.com

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SOURCE Fresh Thyme