WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA - Dole Packaged Foods is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Secor as Vice President of Marketing, Americas and the expansion of Stacy Smoot’s current executive sales role into Vice President, Retail and Foodservice Sales. Secor and Smoot succeed previous Vice President of Marketing Nora Witt and Vice President of Foodservice Stuart McAllister, who announced their retirements in 2024.

“We are incredibly grateful for Nora and Stuart’s contributions at Dole. During their time with the company, Nora has helped Dole reach key milestones such as launching 11 new innovations in a single year for the brand’s U.S. portfolio while Stuart implemented and expanded Dole’s food service business from the ground up, creating an additional revenue stream for the company. Stuart and Nora have played a key role in building brand love for Dole among U.S. consumers and have built a strong foundation for growth for Stacy and Mike to lead,” says Orzse Hodi, President and Managing Director, Americas, Dole Packaged Foods.

Secor is an accomplished, forward-thinking visionary with a proven track record of transforming brands, driving unprecedented growth, and crafting impactful stories across large CPG and food service companies including Bonduelle Fresh Americas, Ruiz Foods, and General Mills. In this new role, Secor will be instrumental in innovating, refining, and executing Dole’s marketing strategy for the U.S. division, leveraging the company’s current and upcoming products across the portfolio.

Since joining Dole in 2022, Smoot has successfully designed and implemented strategic programs to support retail customer growth. In her expanded role, she will oversee Foodservice sales and develop cross-channel efficiencies to continue driving successful results. Smoot brings over 27 years of senior-level CPG sales experience from companies like Bimbo Bakeries, ARYTZA, and Maple Leaf Foods.

“Mike brings extensive experience to Dole in leveraging consumer insights and launching innovative products. He will undoubtedly help Dole as we continue to build a brighter future through the goodness of fruit,” Hodi added. “Stacy has made tremendous strides in streamlining our retail sales teams with insight-led, strategic focus. We look forward to her leading our cross-channel sales team to drive continued growth and pursue excellence.”

“I’m honored to join a dynamic, purposeful company like Dole that believes in the feel-good positivity of fruit,” said Mike Secor. “As we look toward the future, I’m eager to jump in with the team and continue driving innovation and growth across the product portfolio. By fostering creativity and collaboration, we can achieve exceptional results and continue to further Dole’s mission to deliver Sunshine For All®.”

“These past two years at Dole have brought exciting new challenges and wins for retail sales and it has been an honor and privilege to be at the helm of such a talented sales force,” said Stacy Smoot. “I’m excited to continue leading the retail and foodservice sales team to achieve collective success across our B2C and B2B portfolios to deliver the goodness of fruit to as many as possible nationwide.”

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MARYVILLE, TN - BJ’s Wholesale Club announced that its club in Maryville, Tennessee, will open on January 17, 2025.

The club, located at 101 Foothills Mall Drive, is BJ’s fourth club in Tennessee. The on-site BJ’s Gas location opened yesterday on January 9, with everyday low fuel prices and potential extra savings through BJ’s Fuel Saver Program.

BJ’s offers unmatched value on everyday essentials in a convenient one-stop shop. Members can save on fresh foods, produce, full-service deli items, fresh bakery goods, household essentials, home décor, pet supplies, toys, tech and more. BJ’s members love the true treasure-hunt shopping experience, finding new and exciting items with every visit.

“BJ’s Wholesale Club is dedicated to taking care of the families who depend on us,” said Lisa Kessler Gammon, Club Manager, Maryville BJ’s Wholesale Club. “We are excited to bring unbeatable value and savings of up to 25 percent off grocery store prices every day to the families in and around Maryville.”

BJ’s has a longstanding commitment to nourishing its communities. For over 15 years, it has worked with Feeding America and its network of food banks, providing more than 125 million meals for those in need. In the Maryville community, BJ’s is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee by donating unsold produce, meat, dairy, and more every week.

Additionally, BJ’s Charitable Foundation has awarded Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee a $50,000 grant in support of the Food for Kids program, providing nutritious, easily prepared food for children who are likely to miss meals on a regular basis. The funding will directly support 500 Maryville area students. For more information, read the full press release.

“We’re thrilled to welcome BJ’s Wholesale Club as a partner in our community,” said Elaine Streno, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. “BJ’s support has already had a significant impact on those who rely on us. We look forward to fostering our partnership as we work together to provide meals and advance hunger solutions in our communities.”

For more astounding partnerships layered across the industry, ANUK is here to provide insight!

EUGENE, OR - Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, a leading international blueberry breeding and nursery company, announced a series of leadership transitions designed to drive the company’s next phase of growth and innovation.

Effective immediately, Cort Brazelton will serve as acting president and CEO. The Fall Creek Board of Directors has initiated a search for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead the company forward. Upon the appointment of a new CEO, Brazelton will transition to a strategic role on the board of directors, focusing on his responsibilities as an engaged shareholder, a press release noted.

As part of the leadership transition, Kevin Murphy, a longtime board member and former CEO of Driscoll’s, will assume the role of Executive Chair of the Board on Jan. 15, 2025. Murphy will provide strategic guidance as Fall Creek continues to strengthen its global presence and pursue its ambitious growth goals under the continued ownership and stewardship of the Brazelton/Aust family.

Meanwhile, Amelie Aust, who is stepping down as Executive Chair, will continue her active involvement as a board member and shareholder, collaborating with Brazelton to shape the company’s future.

Oscar Verges, who has served as co-CEO since 2020 and joined Fall Creek as COO in 2016, will step down from his position. Verges has been instrumental in driving Fall Creek’s significant growth, global market expansion, and the regionalization of leadership to better serve local and international customers.

“I have been a customer and board member of Fall Creek for well over a decade and could not be more excited about the potential of the company,” said Kevin Murphy, incoming Executive Chair. “This is a new chapter in the growth of the business and the industry, and I am eager to help the family and company in this next phase.”

“As a family, we are deeply committed to the long-term success of Fall Creek,” said Cort Brazelton, acting President and CEO. “Amelie and I are thrilled to welcome Kevin into this leadership role and confident that his experience and vision will help us achieve our ambitious goals.”

These leadership changes underscore Fall Creek's commitment to its mission of building a world with better blueberries and its dedication to serving the global blueberry industry through innovation, quality, and exceptional service.

To discover more topics about industry leadership—stay informed with ANUK daily!

MONTEREY, CA - The highly anticipated event, the Organic Produce Summit, has officially opened registration for qualified retailers, as the only dedicated hub for connecting fresh growers, shippers and processors, and retail buyers. The leading organic and fresh produce event provides the freshest insights on organic produce and will take place July 9-10, 2025 in Monterey, CA.

Qualified retailers will receive complimentary registration and hotel stay, as well as the opportunity to join one of the many field tours showcasing North America’s most innovative and progressive organic producers.

The ninth annual Organic Produce Summit hosts over 200 organic growers, shippers, and processors showcasing innovative solutions and products in the organic and fresh produce market. The 2025 event will also feature keynote presentations and a curated educational program discussing up-and-coming trends, strategies, and insights in the organic produce industry from a variety of experts.

Keigan Roos, Event Manager, Organic Produce Summit, states; “Retailers and buyers are extremely important to OPS because they play a key role in connecting fresh, healthy products from grower/shippers to consumers. We are looking forward to welcoming this audience back to OPS for another must-attend year to network and learn from one another to further grow the organic fresh produce business.”

Retailer registration can be found here. General attendee registration will open on February 4.

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ORANGE, CA - Fifty miles north of my home, four key fires amid several have spread across Los Angeles County. With Santa Ana winds howling from 35–45 miles per hour, gusts up to 75 miles per hour, we living here watch them blow knowing that, until the weather calms, firefighters are facing a Herculean task to rescue people living in areas many in our industry call home.

Fire crews are currently fighting the wildfires listed below, where corresponding impact areas have been issued evacuation orders and warnings:

• Palisades Fire
• Eaton Fire
• Hurst Fire
• Sunset Fire

Together, the number of acres burned stands at 27,876 and counting, the largest being the Palisades Fire, which firefighters said has 30,000 people under mandatory and immediate evacuation orders. A detailed breakdown of each fire’s acreage, evacuation details, and more can be found in this latest report by Fox News. 

Thankfully, no ag acres have been reported as of this morning as directly in the line of any fires, but I have connected with friends in the industry whose lives have been affected. Having to pick up what you own and leave, hoping that your neighborhood will be there when you are able to return, is a heartache many are enduring while still ensuring the produce wheels keep moving from field, to office, to transportation, to retail and restaurant.

Please keep them in your thoughts as we continue to report.