MONT-TREMBLANT, QC -- Sobeys Inc., Canada's second-largest supermarket chain, recently went through a major shakeup in its produce division, both nationally and in Ontario.

Joseph Sbrocchi, Sobeys' national senior director of produce procurement, tendered his resignation Aug. 20, while two key staffers in its Ontario division, Stephen Rodrigues, its vice president of merchandising and replenishment for produce, floral and bulk, and Brian McDonald, its director of produce operations in Ontario, were let go within an hour of each other on Aug. 22.

According to Sobeys' web site, the company "owns or franchises more than 1,300 stores in all 10 provinces under various retail banners including Sobeys, IGA, IGA Extra, Foodland and Price Chopper. Sobeys and its franchisees employ more than 75,000 people and collectively generate almost $13 billion in retail sales."

Mr. Sbrocchi told The Produce News about his departure from the retailer for which he has worked during the past 14 years in an exclusive interview, here at the Quebec Produce Marketing Association's annual convention Aug. 25.

"Over time, we have philosophically grown apart, and I felt it was better to make a change," Mr. Sbrocchi said. "I would like to thank Sobeys. I absolutely can't say anything negative, and they took good care of me while I was there and on my exit. I had the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing people in the industry, including Don Rhyno and Wayne McKnight. Not many people can say that. I am proud of our accomplishments and our team, [which does] an exceptional job."

Mr. Sbrocchi has not decided on his next move yet, but after nearly 30 years in the trade, he was sure it was "going to be in the produce business somewhere," he said. "They'll have to carry me out in a pine box."

Mr. Rodrigues told The Produce News Aug. 29 that being let go was unexpected, "especially since the produce department in Ontario has been doing well, particularly over the past few years. Produce volume at Sobeys [Ontario] is way up in the high double digits, and sales and profits were far above expectations. But the company wants to reorganize and make some changes. It was a shock."

Mr. Rodrigues said that he had "11 good years of service [with Sobeys], and my goal is to stay in produce. With the current move towards local, I think with my experience in the retail end, I can be of benefit to the retail industry in Ontario."

Mr. Rodrigues said that since "the company was very fair" with his severance package, he planned "to take time and have a look at what's out there. There is no rush."

He was also working to retain his position as president of the Ontario Produce Marketing Association, a title he assumed in late June.

When The Produce News contacted Sobeys' corporate offices to get an official comment on the recent staffing changes, Andrew Walker, Sobeys' vice president of communications and corporate affairs, wrote in an e-mail correspondence Aug. 27, "We have made some changes, as we do from time to time in our business, within the produce function both nationally and at an Ontario regional level. Sobeys Inc. does not discuss personnel changes publicly. David Overall is the director of produce within national procurement for Sobeys, and we are currently filling some leadership roles in the produce procurement function within Ontario."

Mr. Walker followed up with a phone call to The Produce News Aug. 28 and said that while he was "not in a position to comment further," he noted that "this is a dynamic industry that changes from time to time" and that Sobeys was "currently working" on filling the empty positions.

Mr. Sbrocchi declined to comment on the personnel changes in the Ontario division.