Laudan Chaffin has joined Berry Fresh as its marketing director. With 10 years of marketing and sales experience in the produce industry, Chaffin will play a pivotal role in strengthening and elevating the Berry Fresh brand.

Building on Berry Fresh’s investment in unique genetics, high-quality growing and increased supply, she will help lead Berry Fresh’s marketing efforts to new levels of excellence and bring fresh perspectives to existing initiatives.

“We are excited to announce the addition of Laudan to our team," said Vice President of Sales Jyoti Bhogal. "Laudan brings a wealth of

Masser Family of Cos. promoted Lela Reichart to the newly created position of executive vice president of marketing from her previous position as vice president of strategic development.

Reichart will provide marketing support to the Masser Family of Cos., supporting the business strategy to continue to grow awareness, trial, and longer lasting interactions for both the Masser business and the Side Delights brand of fresh potato products. 

Under Reichart’s direction, Masser Family of Cos. will continue to leverage the national marketing resources provided by Masser’s membership in Fresh

Produce industry veteran Wes Jones Sr., known for his memorable laugh, merchant expertise, determination and competitive spirit, died Sept. 22. Mr. Jones last worked for Four Seasons Produce, following a career that spanned more than 30 years.

Mr. Jones got his start working in the produce departments of supermarket groups in the Baltimore-Washington, DC, area. In 1993, he moved his family to Ephrata, PA, to serve on the Four Seasons Produce merchandising team.  While at Four Seasons in the 90s and early 2000s, he led the “Garden Pride” club-store produce program and later the Clemens Markets

Ten Acre Marketing, a full-service marketing firm that positions brands to advance agriculture, has invested in the expansion of its capabilities with three new strategic hires: Terri Spencer, Sara Hewitt and Denise Huggins.

Experienced creative professional Spencer has joined the firm as vice president of creative services, leading Ten Acre’s performance team. Spencer is an accomplished designer with twenty years of creative experience, working with brands to build their visual aesthetic and brand narrative. Spencer resides in California, adding a sixth state to Ten Acre Marketing’s

Measure to Improve, a leading sustainability consulting firm for the fresh produce industry, has hired Kyle Cosgrove as its director of agronomy. With a wealth of experience in agronomy, commitment to sustainable practices and passion for supporting growers, Cosgrove will play a pivotal role in advancing MTI's on-farm services and support.

At MTI, Cosgrove will be the subject matter expert for farming practices, prioritizing healthy soils and regenerative agriculture within the fresh produce industry. This role is particularly significant as he will lead MTI's participation in A Vibrant

Chedraui USA, the fourth-largest grocery retailer in California and parent company for El Super, Smart & Final and Fiesta Mart stores, announced the retirement of Smart & Final President Scott Drew, effective Friday, Sept. 29.

Drew began his career in the industry more than four decades ago as a grocery clerk. He joined Smart & Final in 2010, leading the organization with a steadfast commitment to Smart & Final’s core values and a profound dedication to the personal and professional growth of the company’s associates.

“I am grateful for Scott’s tireless service to Smart & Final for more than