United Family produce director retiring, successor named
United Family produce director retiring, successor named
The United Family announced Darvel Kirby, produce director, will retire effective Feb. 28. Joseph Bunting, who has been with the company for 22 years, will be promoted from produce business manager to assume the role of produce director.
“It has been an honor to be a part of The United Family,” Kirby, who has been with the company for more than two decades, said in a press release. “I’m proud of the team we have built over the past several years, which has allowed us to promote from within so we can carry on the operation and positive reputation of The United Family produce department in the future.”
Kirby, who originally joined The United Family as produce supervisor, served as produce director for 12 years, growing the company’s produce department sales by more than 100 percent during his tenure.
“I am extremely lucky to have worked alongside Darvel, especially as our stores transitioned from the pre-book order system and added our in-house fresh-cut produce program,” Bunting said in the release. “This is an exciting opportunity for me, and my goal is to continue the department’s tradition of excellence using the knowledge Darvel passed along to me.”
Bunting, who has begun to transition into his new role, most recently worked with Kirby as produce business manager. Bunting joined The United Family as a sacker in 1992.