REEDLEY, CA - After a recent discussion with Mountain View Fruit Sales’ Krista Beckstead—during which the Director of Marketing revealed a host of opportunities in the stonefruit sector as its California season ignites—I had a chance to dive further into the famed stonefruit category. As the sector maintains its unique hold over shoppers, Krista and I explored what truly differentiates Mountain View’s successful stonefruit program.

“Our ripening process for our Summeripe branded product allows the fruit to ripen a bit longer once picked and before being shipped to the retailers,” Krista begins, highlighting one factor that gives the supplier a competitive edge. “This process allows the fruit to stay in the optimal eating quality window longer, so it is perfect and ready to eat once it hits the consumer's home.”

Krista goes on to note that the company has also established formidable, long-lasting relationships with each of its partners, catering to their individual needs through a collaborative approach.

“We pride ourselves on being ‘more than just a box of fruit’ to our retail partners and building transparent, long-lasting relationships with each of them,” Krista adds.

Last, but certainly not least, the stonefruit supplier upholds a cherished family legacy, maintaining its commitment to quality and innovation while upholding its most central traditions.

“We are family-owned, and all of our fruit comes from family farmers, many of whom live on land farmed by their parents and grandparents,” explains Krista. “At Mountain View, old-time traditions are still practiced and knowledge is passed down—one generation to the next.”

For more updates on this grower’s 30^th stonefruit season and more, be sure to leave a tab open to ANUK.

LANDOVER, MD - We come to you this morning with news of another executive appointment in the retail sector. Giant Food has named Tonya Herring as its new Chief Merchant, a role in which she will oversee all merchandising strategy and execution across the company.

“As a Maryland local, Giant Food has been part of my community for years,” said Herring. “I am ecstatic to be continuing my career back at Giant and look forward to implementing positive changes within our merchandising sector.”

With more than 30 years of retail grocery experience, Herring most recently served as the Senior Vice President of Omnichannel Development for Peapod Digital Labs, which supports Ahold Delhaize USA, a press release stated. There, Herring led the commercial evolution of Ahold Delhaize USA’s omnichannel ambitions.

Prior to that, Herring was the Senior Vice President of Merchandising for Giant Food, where she was responsible for strategic leadership, business plan design, and merchandising organization.

“The entire Giant Food family is thrilled to welcome Tonya back to our team,” said Ira Kress, President. “With her deep merchandising expertise, she will bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the Giant Food brand in this role.”

Throughout her experience, Herring has held multiple roles including over two decades at Safeway, where her positions included Vice President of Category Development, Group Director Category Development for Consumer Brands, and Regional Director.

Congratulations to the new executive!