Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos, who led the company’s efforts to expand the availability of fresh produce to more than 2,300 stores, will retire effective Nov. 1. Jeffery Owen, the company's chief operating officer since 2019, will succeed Vasos as CEO effective immediately following Vasos’ retirement.

To assist in the transition of leadership, Vasos is expected to serve in a senior advisory position beginning Nov. 1, and continuing through April 1, 2023, at which time Vasos will retire from employment with the company. Vasos is expected to enter into a two-year consulting agreement and

Craig Stephen, a senior leader and advisor in the consumer food and produce industry, has joined the board of directors and advisory board for Nabaco Inc., which manufactures a safe and edible coating that extends the shelf life of produce.

Stephen has 30 years of experience and advises businesses on operational and profitability strategies. He led several business units at Chiquita, including serving as president and chief operating officer of Chiquita's Far East/Austral Asia business unit, vice president and GM of the North American fresh fruit business, and senior vice president and GM of

Tanimura & Antle promoted three key sales team members: Sybil Faulconbridge to director of national sales, Anthony Mazzuca to senior director of sales strategy and Thomas Wheelus to director of foodservice. These key promotions are a strategic step for the company to build a network of strong, calculated sales teams within the Tanimura & Antle sales department. 

“It’s been a great year being back at Tanimura & Antle working alongside our sales team. I’m proud of the commitment and grit this team has demonstrated over the course of the past few years of continual industry challenges,” said

PRO*ACT USA has hired Laura Frank Barnard as its chief financial officer.  In her role as CFO, Barnard will provide financial stewardship of company assets while aligning business and finance strategy to support continued business growth, including leadership across internal and external financial accounting and reporting, FP&A, treasury, M&A and investor relations. 

Barnard brings a wealth of experience to the organization, including founding the MUUV GRUUP, where she launched and self-funded multiple startups to make active living fun across all generations. Muuv has a global presence with

Wakefern Food Corp. announced the retirement of Senior Vice President Brett Wing, along with several key executive promotions, including Kevin McDonnell as president of Price Rite Marketplace.

“It is with mixed emotions that I share the news of a valued leader who is retiring, while also announcing the exciting advancement of five Wakefern executives committed to the continued growth and excellence of our cooperative,” said Joseph Sheridan, president and chief operating officer of Wakefern.

Wing's retirement caps off a successful 45-year career in the food industry, including the past seven

 BrightFarms’ Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania greenhouse was recently awarded the Business of the Year award from the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Selinsgrove, PA greenhouse has served its community since 2020 and is currently the largest BrightFarms greenhouse farm with 280,000 square feet. They supply Pennsylvania and the New York City metro area with fresh, nutritious baby greens year-round.

At the Chamber’s 101st Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, BrightFarms’ PA greenhouse Production Manager Christian Ortiz used this award as an acknowledgment of his team’s hard work