Sugar Foods announced the acquisition of Concord Foods, positioning the company to deliver enhanced innovations and an expanded suite of services to its customers.

Founded in 1968, Concord Foods is a leading supplier of custom ingredients and retail food products, serving nationally recognized supermarkets, foodservice operators and food manufacturers. The acquisition adds Concord’s 255,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Brockton, MA, facility to Sugar Foods’ North American operational footprint, which will play an integral role in the company’s future growth plans.

Speaking specifically of the daily task of sourcing produce, Walmart Vice President of Global Sourcing Laura Himes said that the retailer is a “purpose driven company.”  As such, her team is not just buying produce, but providing nutritious items to help their customers live a healthier life.

Walmart has always taken a holistic approach to its purpose of saving people money, so they can live better. Sam Walton’s vision was to give everyone access to basic necessities at a low cost.

The International Fresh Produce Association is gearing up for a fresh look at The Foodservice Conference – designed exclusively for produce in foodservice and the anchor of the foodservice year.   

Mission Produce Inc. named John Pawlowski as its new president and chief operating officer, effective April 1. Steve Barnard will continue to serve as Mission Produce’s CEO and a member of the board of directors.

The Southern Flavor Cocktail reception was held last night to help kick off the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure show. Taking place at the Six, located at the new JW Marriot in Tampa, FL, the guest speaker was National Football League Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks.

Lidl US appointed four industry powerhouses to the company’s leadership team: Tod Seiling, vice president of fresh; Miguel Paradela, executive vice president of purchasing and chief commercial officer; Frank Kerr, chief customer officer; and Michael Chao, head of marketing.