United Natural Foods Inc. named Andre Persaud as president and CEO of retail, effective Nov. 6. Persaud will lead the company’s two retail banners, CUB located primarily in Minnesota and Shoppers Food Warehouse located primarily in Washington, DC, and Maryland. He will serve on UNFI’s senior leadership team and report to Sandy Douglas, UNFI’s CEO and president.

Persaud comes to UNFI after having spent nearly 30 years in retail and the past 20 years in senior leadership roles with large food and pharmacy operations. He is a results-driven and collaborative leader with broad and diverse

Mark Gagnon has joined Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet's executive team. As senior vice president of sales and sourcing, Gagnon brings a rich experience and a standout record in leading brands like Del Monte, Dole, Chiquita, Chobani and Kalera.

Gagnon's journey in the produce industry is marked by notable achievements and strategic leadership. After a solid 14-year foundation at Dole, he took on key positions such as  senior vice president of sales at Kalera, vice president of sales at Del Monte Fresh Produce and national director of sales at Chiquita.

Throughout his career, Gagnon has been

Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association, has joined the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance as a co-chair.
 
The SCFBA was established to advocate for the unique needs of specialty crop growers in the farm bill and enhance their overall competitiveness in the face of increasing global competition and regulatory and buyer demands. Burns joins sitting Co-Chairs Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers; and Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council, in providing direction for the coalition as

Southeastern Grocers Inc. is celebrating Romay Davis, a Winn-Dixie associate and American Congressional Gold Medal recipient, ahead of her 104th birthday. The grocer hosted a special in-store birthday celebration at Romay’s home Winn-Dixie store alongside her friends, family and local community.

“We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve, and part of our story includes incredible associates like Ms. Romay. As we celebrate her 104th birthday, we hope to express our deepest gratitude for being a part of her extraordinary story," said Raymond Rhee, chief people officer for Southeastern

Happy Dirt named Natasha Goldstein its chief financial officer. While in her role with Happy Dirt, Goldstein will lead the company into its next phase of financial growth by taking over the company’s core financial operations and assisting in a capital fundraising campaign.

“I am extremely excited to take on the role of CFO for Happy Dirt. Happy Dirt has grown incredibly fast over the last few years and has a bright future ahead,” Goldstein said. “Happy Dirt not only purchases and distributes organic produce, but they also help farmers transition to organic practices and work to find avenues

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas announced that Emilia Gotsis, founder of Omega Produce, will be honored Nov. 2, as a Pillar of the FPAA.

The Pillar of the FPAA honors individuals who made a contribution to the association and industry over the course of their lifetimes.

According to J Nick Gotsis, vice president of sales at Omega, Emilia Gotsis was an inspiration to many, especially in a time when very few women started their own produce companies.

“In 1950, Emilia founded Omega Produce. Prior to that, she had worked with other produce companies in the old downtown Nogales and