SpartanNash chairman announces retirement
SpartanNash announced that Craig Sturken will conclude his service as a member of the SpartanNash board of directors at the expiration of his current term. Sturken has served as chairman and a member of the SpartanNash board since November 2013, when Spartan Stores merged with Nash-Finch Co. to form SpartanNash.
Aldi names U.S. co-president
Aldi Inc. has announced that Brent Laubaugh, vice president of its Saxonburg division, has been promoted to co-president of Aldi in the United States, joining David Behm and Chuck Youngstrom, who continue in their roles as co-presidents. All three co-presidents report to Jason Hart, chief executive officer of Aldi.
Grower-retailer partnerships developed at Southern Exposure
Mary Blackmon, founder of Farm Star Living, caught up with Jim Brinkley of Natural Markets Food Group on the trade show floor at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure 2016. Brinkley talked about how the show is a great venue for retailers to forge partnerships with growers.
Joe Klare celebrates lifetime of achievement at SEPC
HOLLYWOOD, FL — One of the most familiar faces in the industry, Joe Klare of the Castellini Group of Cos., was recognized at the Southeast Produce Council Southern Exposure conference here March 5 with the Terry Vorhees Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the industry.
Dole sued over tainted salad-related outbreak
An Ohio woman has sued Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. on behalf of her 77-year-old mother, who fell into a coma as a result of a packaged salad identified as the cause of a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes.
Constance Georgostathis, the adult daughter of Angeliki Christofield, sued Dole on March 7 in a Cincinnati federal court. This is the first Dole lawsuit filed in Ohio in the Listeria outbreak case.
Good Foods launches new Grab & Go snack cups
Good Foods, maker of a leading Tableside guacamole, has launched a new line of Grab & Go snack cups nationwide. The four varieties -- Guacamole, Salsa, Avocado Tomatillo Salsa and Artichoke Jalapeno dip, each with tortilla chips, will be showcased at the Natural Products Expo West show March 11-13 in Anaheim, CA.
Dan Canales joins Ippolito International
Ippolito International has hired Dan Canales in the newly created position of senior vice president of sales, marketing and processing. Canales was most recently with Misionero Vegetables in Gonzales, CA, where he served as vice president of sales and marketing.
Pears qualify for Heart-Check certification
Beginning in February, green and red Anjou pears were certified as heart-healthy by the American Heart Association. The certification allows Pear Bureau Northwest to use the Heart-Check mark throughout on-line, print and promotions for both Anjou varieties of pears.
Higueral Produce pleased with new mango deal
By mid-March, the Mexican mango season will be picking up for Higueral Produce, Inc., which is based in Rio Rico, AZ.
Sun Select to collaborate on greenhouse project with Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc. and SunSelect Produce Inc., known for producing premium greenhouse-grown vegetables for more than 30 years, announced a strategic collaboration that will take the waste products of Caterpillar’s combined heat and power cogeneration facility in Mossville, IL, and put them to productive use in SunSelect hydroponic greenhouses.