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produce watch
ANNOUNCEMENT
APEEL SCIENCES SECURES YEAR-ROUND SUPPLY CHAIN PARTNERS
Apeel Sciences, Santa Barbara, CA, announced its supplier partnerships, enabling a consistent year-round supply for U.S. retailers and consumers. Apeel will be working with grower-pack- er-shippers who the company says “are committed to using Apeel’s plant-derived technology to deliver longer-lasting fresh- ness and less waste on retail shelves. They include: Avocados
— Del Monte, Giumarra, Eco Farms, Del Rey, Horton Fruit Company
and RV Aguacates; Asparagus — Alpine Fresh, Beta, Farm Direct
Supply and La Venta; Limes — SiCar Farms; and Organic Apples —
Olympic/Sage Fruit. “Together, we have taken the idea of eliminating food waste and collectively engi- neered a comprehensive program that delivers on that mission, every day, while enhancing the consumer experience when it comes to enjoying ripe avocados,” said Mike Wise, President, The Horton Fruit Company. Gordon Robertson, chief revenue of cer at Apeel Sciences, says, “We’re proud and honored to stand with this incredible network of industry leaders who are shaping the future of food.”
TRANSITION
DEL MONTE FRESH PRODUCE Scott Owens was named vice president of sales and product management, North America,
and will head up the banana,
pineapple and melon programs
for Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A.,
Inc., Coral Gables, FL. Owens has
a breadth of experience in fresh
produce and consumer-packaged
goods from previous roles with
Wonderful Citrus, Chiquita Brands International and General Mills. “Scott will bring a fresh perspective through his expertise in customer engagement and brand development, honed from over 30 years in the industry,” says Danny Dumas, senior vice president of sales and product management.
TRANSITION
SAKATA SEED AMERICA Robb Bertels was named retail category manager at Sakata Seed America, Morgan Hill, CA. With nearly 30 years of experience including stints
Scott Owens
ANNOUNCEMENT
IDAHO POTATO COMMISSION,
LITEHOUSE TEAM UP ON DISPLAYS
ANNOUNCEMENT
CEA FOOD SAFETY COALITION CREATES BOARD, ELECTS OFFICERS
The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Food Safety Coalition, comprised of leading controlled environment leafy greens producers, recently completed the formation of its governance structure and is taking steps to accept new members. The Coalition’s objective is to establish food safety standards, educate and protect consumer health. Initial members of the board of directors include: Michele Kubista (Revol Greens), Paul Lightfoot (BrightFarms), Christopher Livingston (Bowery Farming), Daniel Malech (Plenty), Marc Oshima (Aerofarms), Jack Seaver (Plenty), and Paul Sellew (Little Leaf Farms). Seaver is serving as acting exec- utive director until the post is lled permanently, and Lightfoot is chairman.
ANNOUNCEMENT
WONDERFUL’S MANDARINS NET TOP
HONORS FROM RESEARCH GROUP
Wonderful Halos, Los Angeles, was recently named the most-loved healthy snack brand among both parents and kids, according to a
2019 Brand Love study released by youth and family market research consultancy Smarty Pants. The study assessed 350 brands across 19 different consumer categories.
More than 16,000 parents of children ages 6-12 in the United States were surveyed. It is the second consecutive year Halos has led the category.
The Idaho Potato Commission, Eagle, ID and Litehouse, Inc.,
Sandpoint, ID, are teaming up on freestanding display units with
coupon pads for the “Mix, Mash & Be Merry” promotion running
from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31. The coupon offers shoppers $1 off
any Litehouse freeze-dried herb with the purchase of a 5-pound
bag of Idaho potatoes. The shipper, billed as a holiday
sides promotion, features two cases each of four Litehouse
herb products: chives, garlic, parsley, and poultry herb
blend.
at Amerifresh and Mission
Produce, Bertels brings a robust
background to the position that
allows Sakata to better serve
and connect with retail and food-
service sectors. “What attracted me to the company is its reputation as a high-quality organization
with great products, an outstanding culture and exceptional people,” says Bertels. He will connect new Sakata product development and trends to retail partners by communicating the bene ts of top Sakata products, including the In nite Gold canta- loupe and specialty tomato programs.
TRANSITION
Robb Bertels
ANNOUNCEMENT
NATURIPE’S OVERDORF HONORED FOR
SERVICE ON FOODSERVICE COMMITTEE
OCEAN MIST FARMS
Paul Scheid was named vice
president of production for
Ocean Mist Farms, Castroville,
CA. He will work closely on
year-round supply for both the
Ocean Mist Farms and Ocean Mist
Organic brands. He will manage
and coordinate the supply of
conventional and organic produce
for the Salinas Valley, Huron and Oxnard production regions. He joins Ocean Mist with more than 25 years of farming and production experience, working for Laguna Mist Farms and Boutonnet Farms.
TRANSITION
GOLDEN SUN MARKETING
Jill Overdorf
The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) recog- nized member volunteer Jill Overdorf, director of business development for foodservice at Naturipe Farms, for her service as co-chair on the association’s Foodservice Conference & Expo Committee in Monterey, CA. “Jill has been
Paul Scheid
a tireless advocate for promoting produce as good for you, delicious and center of the plate — which is the holy trinity of success in this business,” says Nichole Towell, senior director of marketing for Duda Farm Fresh Foods.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Golden Sun Marketing, Mound,
MN, has promoted Naba Bakar
to director of marketing. “Naba
has been an integral part of the
team for her strategic thinking
and strong marketing skillset
that have helped us grow,”
says Don Goodwin, president
of Golden Sun Marketing. “She
has proven herself to be a natural
leader for our marketing team
and our clients.” Bakar has more than seven years of experience, ranging from corporate marketing to startup ventures. During her three years at Golden Sun, she has specialized in strategic planning and brand management.
BRIGHT FARMS TABS PLATT AS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE
BrightFarms has hired Steve Platt as chief executive of cer,
Steve Platt and Paul Lightfoot
while the company’s founder, Paul Lightfoot, will continue as the company’s president and founder. Both Platt and Lightfoot will be members of the board of directors. “This is an exciting time for the company, and I look forward to working with Paul and the entire team to scale the company and deliver our salad greens
to more retailers and consumers across the country,” says Platt. “BrightFarms is how Americans will consume produce —fresh, local and pesticide-free.” Platt is a veteran CPG executive with experience growing brands and leading top category performers.
Naba Bakar
Most recently he was CEO of Icelandic Provisions. During his tenure, the company grew to more than 6,500 retail stores and became the fastest-growing brand in dairy yogurt. Previously, he was an executive at Danone, where he led brands such as Dannon, Oikos, Danimals and YoCrunch.
Produce & Floral Watch are regular features of Produce Business. Please send information on new products, personnel changes, industry, corporate and personal milestones and available literature, along with a high resolution image to: Managing Editor, Produce Business, P.O. Box 810425, Boca Raton, FL 33481-0425 or email us at info@producebusiness.com
8 / SEP TEMBER 2019 / PRODUCE BUSINESS