PROVIDENCE, RI - United Natural Foods, Inc. announced actions it is taking to advance the company’s multi-year strategy focused on creating more customized value for its customers and suppliers and driving profitable growth.

In support of its strategy, the company will realign its commercial wholesale organization into two product-centered divisions, Conventional Grocery Products and Natural, Organic, Specialty, and Fresh Products, while continuing to enhance its enterprise-wide commercial and supply chain capabilities.

Louis Martin, currently President of Wholesale, will become President of Conventional Grocery Products and UNFI Chief Commercial Officer. Mark Bushway, currently Chief Supply Chain Officer, will become President of Natural, Organic, Specialty, and Fresh Products and UNFI Chief Supply Chain Officer.

Each division will have focused sales teams aligned to the unique product and service needs of the 30,000 retail locations that UNFI serves. Both divisions will be supported by dedicated functional experts in merchandising, operations, procurement, and supplier services.

Capability centers of excellence in areas including supply chain, professional and digital services, and private brands will work across the divisions to support sales leaders in building customized programs to help customers and suppliers accelerate their growth strategies, a press release explained.

Sandy Douglas, UNFI CEO said, “This realignment is another step in the execution of our plan to add value and improve efficiency and effectiveness for our customers and suppliers. By empowering our commercial teams to provide a more customized product and service-centered experience, we intend to help our customers and suppliers differentiate, compete, and grow profitably through a more responsive, efficient, and effective operating model."

We'll continue to keep our eyes on the newswire for more updates, so stay tuned!

SALINAS, CA - PlantTape, a leader in agricultural technology, is proud to announce the commercial launch of its latest innovation: an Automated Tomato Transplanter. This cutting-edge solution is poised to transform the way tomatoes are transplanted, offering increased efficiency and precision for growers worldwide.

Designed with extensive input from tomato growers and industry experts, the Automated Tomato Transplanter addresses the specific needs and challenges faced by modern agriculturalists. This innovative module can plant up to 12" tall transplants, ensuring rapid and uniform planting across fields.

With the capability to bury plants 8" deep and inject over 400 gallons of water per acre, this technology optimizes growing conditions for maximum crop health and productivity, a press release noted.

"Our team is thrilled to introduce the Automated Tomato Transplanter, the culmination of years of research, development, and collaboration with the tomato industry," said Danielle Michaels, Director of North America Sales at PlantTape. "We recognized the need for a solution that expedites the planting process while saving planting labor, and we're proud to deliver a product that achieves both."

Currently, the Automated Tomato Transplanter is available for commercial planting trials for the 2025 tomato season. Growers interested in learning more about this groundbreaking technology are encouraged to reach out to Jesus Vasquez at PlantTape for additional information.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow for updates on industry innovations like this.

CASTROVILLE, CA - Ocean Mist® Farms, North America's leading grower and shipper of fresh artichokes, is pleased to announce the promotion of Glen Alameda to its Chief Operating Officer role. Glen brings with him a rich heritage and a wealth of experience, rooted in a family legacy of farming that dates back to the company's founding in 1924. You could say agriculture runs in his veins—literally. As the fourth generation to carry on the vision of this 100-year-old, industry-leading company, Glen represents a proud tradition. Notably, the company holds the distinction of being the largest grower and shipper of artichokes in North America.

Glen's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, and a Master of Science from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Combined with his upbringing in the industry, Glen's professional experience spans product development and implementation, logistics management, supply chain oversight, and compliance direction. These roles have equipped him with the skills and insight necessary to excel as the company's new Chief Operating Officer.

“I know Glen will hit the ground running, implementing new efficiencies that will serve Ocean Mist for many years to come,” said Chris Drew, President and Chief Executive Officer. “His broad experience, strong leadership, unwavering optimism, and exceptional work ethic will be invaluable as he settles into this role and helps the company grow and evolve into the future.”

In his new role, Alameda will oversee and manage all company coolers and facilities in Castroville and Coachella, California. He will also provide direct leadership and support in the Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Sustainability sectors. As a press release stated, a key focus of his role will be driving innovation by contributing to new product development, expanding value-added offerings, and bringing forward-thinking solutions to fruition.

Additionally, Alameda will collaborate closely with the Director of Harvesting, Serafin Ruiz, to analyze harvest volumes, variances, and product quality. His efforts will be instrumental in identifying and implementing efficiencies related to labor, crew management, and mechanization, ensuring streamlined operations and improved productivity.

“I’m deeply honored to step into the role of Chief Operating Officer at Ocean Mist Farms. This company has been a cornerstone of my life, and I am committed to building on its legacy of quality, sustainability, and innovation. I look forward to working alongside our talented team to drive continued growth and ensure that we remain at the forefront of the industry for generations to come,” said Alameda.

Drew concluded, "Glen is an indispensable member of the Ocean Mist Farms team, uniquely equipped to take on this role with the energy, expertise, and vision it demands. His continued contributions will play a vital role in driving the company’s evolution and ensuring its success well into the next century. I look forward to our ongoing partnership."

Congratulations from all of us here at AndNowUKnow to Glen on this new appointment!

ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold Delhaize announces that Mihai Spulber, currently SVP Operations and Supply Chain at Mega Image, will assume the role of Brand President at Profi effective July 1, 2025.

This announcement follows on the decision of current Brand President, Gaetan Pacton, to leave Profi per July 1, 2025, “with a deep sense of gratitude and pride for everything we have achieved together.”

Ahold Delhaize recently completed the acquisition of Profi, welcoming the brand to its family of now 17 brands in Europe, the U.S., and Indonesia, a press release shared.

Upon the announcement, Claude Sarrailh, CEO Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia, shared: “I want to take the opportunity to extend our gratitude to Gaetan for his dedication and passionate leadership at Profi, particularly during the acquisition process. Together with his team, Gaetan played a key role in the expansion of Profi’s presence in Romania and its reputation of providing customers with high quality and affordable products.”

Claude, on the new leadership at Profi: “With Mihai we bring on board a leader with broad experience in and knowledge of the Romanian market and customers. His background in finance as well as store operations and supply chain, positions him well to take on this role. He will team up with long-serving Profi board members to ensure continuity and stability in leadership.”

Mihai added: "I am honored by the opportunity to lead Profi and contribute to the integration of the company into the Ahold Delhaize family. Profi has tremendous potential, and together with the current team we will focus on strengthening the company's success. I thank Gaetan for his outstanding contribution and support in this transition. I look forward to meeting the Profi team and continuing together the success story so appreciated by customers, collaborators, employees, and partners."

Gaetan commented: "After 13 years with Profi, I have made the decision to step away, leaving with a deep sense of gratitude and pride for everything we have achieved together. Profi's story is one of ambition, resilience, and transformation, and the company's success is the direct result of the hard work and dedication of every one of my colleagues. I am confident that under the leadership of Mihai Spulber, Profi will continue to grow and unlock new opportunities within Ahold Delhaize, paving the way for an even more exciting future. Thank you all for the support you have given me over the years."

In the coming six months until July 1, 2025, Gaetan will continue to secure business continuity, and he will remain responsible for the leadership of Profi. He will also closely cooperate with Mihai and the team to ensure a smooth transition for Profi as an Ahold Delhaize company.

Stay tuned for more updates.

WASHINGTON, DC - Economic growth withstood inflation, high interest rates, and other challenges in 2024 and should continue to show strength in 2025, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today.

“The U.S. economy ended 2024 on a high note, and the outlook looks promising for 2025,” Kleinhenz said. “Recent performance shows the economy is on solid footing and has been growing at a steady pace and above its historical average. The labor market is healthy, unemployment is low, inflation has fallen almost to the Federal Reserve’s target even though it remains somewhat sticky, and the direction of interest rates remains lower.”

“I don’t want to get ahead of our annual forecast, but there is good reason to expect healthy economic growth in 2025 even though its shape will depend upon a lot of moving parts,” Kleinhenz said. Key factors could include changes to trade, immigration, regulation, tax and spending policies and their impact on economic activity “but the resilience of the U.S. consumer should hopefully remain part of the dominant narrative.”

Kleinhenz’s comments came in the January edition of NRF’s Monthly Economic Review, which said 2024 gross domestic product was on track to grow 2.7 percent over 2023, based on results for the first three quarters and data from the first two months of the fourth quarter. GDP is expected to grow between 2 percent and 2.5 percent in 2025, although “the range of uncertainty is wide and this estimate could change.”

The past year “was marked in large measure by the impressive resiliency of the consumer and a sturdy labor market,” with consumer spending supported by low unemployment and wage gains that outpaced inflation even as employers slowed hiring, Kleinhenz said.

For more information from the report, click here.

AndNowUKnow will deliver more news on the retail front, so stay tuned.