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DES MOINES, IA - A long-time retail vet and marketing icon is putting the cap on an illustrious career as Donna Tweeten prepares to retire from Hy-Vee on January 24, 2025.
After becoming the first woman President in the company’s history in 2022, Tweeten has guided Hy-Vee’s brand and image strategy, helping the retailer double the size of its grocery network during her tenure. She joined Hy-Vee as Assistant Vice President, Communication in 2006 and was promoted to Assistant VP, Marketing in 2009. In 2011, she took over as VP, Brand Image, and later rose to VP, Marketing/Communications in 2013.
The following year, Tweeten was named SVP, Chief Marketing Officer, before later being promoted to EVP and joining the chain’s Board of Directors in 2016. Later that year, she was appointed EVP, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Customer Officer. Tweeten then transitioned to EVP, Chief of Staff and Chief Merchandising Officer and was later promoted to EVP, Chief of Staff, and Chief Marketing Officer.
“No one has shaped the Hy-Vee brand with such skill, precision, and creativity more than Donna Tweeten,” said Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Throughout her career, Donna has served as an innovator, trailblazer, and creative thinker in nearly every aspect of Hy-Vee’s operations. There’s no doubt that her influence will be felt across Hy-Vee for decades to come.”
Tweeten has been nationally recognized for her influence in the advertising and sports marketing industries, including being named a 2024 Champion of Change by ADWEEK and receiving Ad Age’s Leading Women Forward award, a press release explained. She also received FMI’s prestigious Esther Peterson Award for Consumer Service this year.
For more insights into Tweeten’s indelible impact on Hy-Vee and its expanding grocery network, click here.
ANUK extends our congratulations to Donna Tweeten on her successful career and upcoming retirement!
FOLSOM, CA - For some, September rings in the new school year. But for others, it’s graduation! The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council’s (USHBC) Blueberry Industry Leadership Program for the second class of fellows graduated in late September. The fellows also presented their capstone project—a vast library of resources for blueberry growers—at the event.
“It's been a pleasure to watch this talented and curious group expand their experiences, make new connections, and develop as blueberry industry leaders over the past two years,” said Amanda Griffin, Vice President of Engagement and Education, USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC). “We can’t wait to see the many ways these passionate ag professionals will help guide the blueberry industry into a bright future.”
The first-of-its-kind blueberry industry leadership program helps blueberry industry leaders grow their skill set, learn from decades-long industry leaders, and develop their network of connections. The in-depth, hands-on training features immersive learning experiences, engagement with key industry players, and exposure to the many components of the produce supply chain.
Here are the Class No. 2 graduates:
- Cecilia Allende, Sunny Valley International
- Chad Don, Oasis Farms
- Joseph Klick, Naturipe Farms
- Ben Lahr, Driscoll’s
- Kolby Lewis, Blue Raeven Farms
- Katiuska Morales, Camposol S.A.
- Sarah Quackenbush, North Bay Produce
- Ranjeet Randhawa, Ph.D., Fall Creek
- Kyle Straughn, Straughn Farms
- Joel Whitehead, Wish Farms
Class No. 2’s capstone project, a grower resources page now live on the USHBC website, provides growers with a one-stop-shop for information on federal and state programs on topics like farm loans, disaster assistance, risk management, sustainable agriculture, food safety, and more. This resource library will help growers reduce the time they would otherwise have to spend searching out this information on their own, a press release explained. It also helps highlight and emphasize the importance of these efforts as an industry by providing a consistent set of resources everyone can refer to.
To learn more about the program and learn who the fellows are for Class No. 3, already underway, click here for details.
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NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Fresh Solutions Network® has announced that a sustainable packaging design for SPUDS less-than-perfect potatoes was awarded first place in the nationwide Student Design Challenge. Non-GMO, gluten-free, all-natural SPUDS less-than-perfect potatoes were launched in 2023 with the sustainability and value-focused consumer in mind.
“SPUDS are part of the Fresh Solutions Network commitment to improving sustainable food management practices and reducing food waste,” noted Kathleen Triou, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fresh Solutions Network. “Sustainability is increasingly important to younger consumers, and we are proud that our potato product and packaging inspired these students to create the innovative winning design concept. While the paperboard concept is not currently available for retail execution, it is part of our ongoing research to improve the sustainability of our packaging.”
While the winning mock-packaging design features a three-pound zero-plastic paperboard pack concept, SPUDS potatoes are available in a sustainable BioFlex™ material 10 lb bag at retail, a press release explained. BioFlex is a sustainable packaging technology that looks and works like most plastic containers, but breaks down, is completely recyclable, and should be commingled with existing plastic recycling.
“SPUDS imperfect potatoes were created to decrease food waste and thus increase sustainability, and I knew their environmental emphasis would be a good fit for the contest,” said Tom Newmaster, PCAD Graphic Design Professor and SPUDS Designer. “The students had to design packaging from paperboard that would be transport-ready, attention-grabbing, and suitable for display.”
The winning design, created by a team of four Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (PCAD) students, was announced on September 30 at the 2024 Paperboard Packaging Council's Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference.
Congratulations to FSN and the winning designers for making this innovative packaging leap!