CINCINNATI, OH - The Kroger Co. announced several appointments of experienced enterprise leaders to new retail roles and expanded responsibilities.

"We are excited to promote several talented senior executives to key roles that will position Kroger for future success," said Ron Sargent, Kroger's Chairman and CEO, in the recent release. "Victor Smith, Monica Garnes, Kendra Doyel, and Ken DeLuca are strong leaders with decades of experience, and I look forward to their continued success in their new roles. I also want to thank Colleen Juergensen and Tom Schwilke for their many contributions to our customers, associates, and shareholders. We wish them well in their well-deserved retirements."

Kroger announces promotions in corporate leadership, the Atlanta Division, and the Fry's Division

Kroger promoted Victor Smith, president of the company's Atlanta division, to senior vice president of Retail Divisions. Smith brings more than 40 years of experience in the grocery industry, first joining the company as a courtesy clerk in the Ralphs division in 1983. Smith held various roles within Kroger, including store leader, district manager, and meat merchandiser. In 2015, he was promoted to vice president of Operations in the Houston Division, before returning to Ralphs as vice president of Merchandising in 2016. He was promoted to president of the Delta Division in 2018 and became president of the Atlanta Division in 2022.

Smith currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Kroger Company Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation and the Georgia Food Industry Association Board of Directors. In 2025, he was named CEO of the Year by the Georgia Minority Business Association.

Smith joins Valerie Jabbar and Joe Kelley as the company's senior vice presidents of retail divisions.

Monica Garnes, currently president of the Fry's Division, has been promoted to president of the Atlanta Division. Garnes began her career with Kroger in 1995 in the Columbus Division. She held a variety of leadership roles in her 31-year career with the company, including Produce buyer, store manager, and district manager. Garnes was promoted to vice president of Merchandising for the Fry's Division in 2013 and named vice president of Produce/Floral Merchandising at General Office in 2015. She was promoted to her current role in 2018.

She currently sits on The University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees and Arizona Commerce Authority Board.

Ken DeLuca, currently president of the Michigan Division, has been promoted to president of the Fry's Division. DeLuca began his 38-year Kroger career in 1988 as a clerk in the Michigan Division. Since starting his Kroger career, DeLuca held multiple leadership positions in the Michigan Division, including store manager, Labor Relations manager, and Operations district manager. In 2004, he moved to the Columbus Division as Operations district manager and in 2005 was promoted to Retail Operations vice president for the Dillon's Division. DeLuca was promoted to vice president of Merchandising in 2008 and subsequently back to vice president of Operations. He was promoted to his current role in 2018.

DeLuca served as an executive board member on the Rags Remembered Foundation in Michigan. During his time in the Dillon's Division, he was a board member for the Kansas Children's Service League and the Cancer Council of Reno County.

Kroger announces retirement, promotion in Ralphs Division and retirement in Central Division

Tom Schwilke, president of the Ralphs Division, announced his plans to retire after seven years with Kroger and more than 42 years in the retail industry.

Schwilke joined Kroger in 2019 as division president in the Dallas Division with 35 years of merchandising and retail leadership experience, including president and general manager of Safeway's NorCal Division, president and general manager of Perishables and group vice president of Produce and Floral. He was promoted to his current role leading the Ralphs Division in 2020.

Kendra Doyel, currently president of the Food 4 Less/Foods Co Division, has been promoted to president of the Ralphs Division. Doyel joined the company in 1998 as a pharmacist in the Fry's Division. Since then, she has held several diverse and important leadership roles for Fry's, Ralphs, Food 4 Less and Fred Meyer. In 2017, Doyel was promoted to HR leader for Ralphs and Food 4 Less, and in 2022, she was promoted to vice president of Merchandising for Ralphs. She was named to her current role in 2025.

She served as the board chair for the California Grocers Association and on the board of directors for the Network of Executive Women. In 2022, the CGA Educational Foundation presented Doyel with the Hall of Achievement Award for her outstanding service and dedication to the food industry.

After 45 years of dedicated service, Colleen Juergensen, president of the Central Division, announced her plans to retire.

Juergensen began her career with the company as a bakery clerk in her hometown of Great Bend, Kansas, in 1981. She served in various leadership roles in the Dillons Division including store leader, district manager, and vice president of Operations. Juergensen joined the Smith's Division as vice president of Operations in 2012 and was named to vice president of Merchandising for Smith's in 2015. She was promoted to her current role as president of Dillons in 2016.

FULLERTON, CA - The California Avocado Commission recently conducted Board of Directors elections, which were confirmed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The Board elected new executive officers, including Board Chair Rachael Laenen, who has served on the CAC Board since November 2020, with three of those years as an executive officer. Laenen is the sixth generation of her family to farm in Ventura County and the fourth generation to grow avocados. She now manages the family’s avocado enterprise. Before her farming career, she worked in international motorsports, managing global sponsorships for some of the world’s most valuable brands as well as delivering high-level events and hospitality. Rachael is the first woman to chair the California Avocado Commission Board of Directors.

“Being the first female chair of the CAC Board of Directors is not what matters to me,” said Rachael Laenen in the recent release. “Doing an excellent job representing California avocado growers and the premium avocados we produce is paramount. With that said, I’m proud of the contributions California’s female growers have made and continue to make in our industry.”

Also elected to the Commission Board executive committee were Vice Chair Ohannes Karaoghlanian, Secretary John Berns, and Treasurer Maureen Cottingham. Board members serve two-year terms, and the executive officers are elected annually.

This California avocado season, the California Avocado Commission will support the CA Grown program and its initiative promoting the role of women in agriculture. The United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer, a historic milestone recognizing women’s vital role in agriculture worldwide. Supported by 123 countries and led by the United States, the resolution represents a global pledge to promote equity, visibility, and opportunity. California is home to one of the most diverse and productive agricultural economies in the world and has experienced steady growth in the number of women farmers—up 13% in the last decade—a sign that more women are stepping into roles of ownership and influence. With 63% of California farms being female-operated, women are often leading in soil health, water conservation, and long-term orchard management.

“The Commission has supported the CA Grown program for many years because being locally grown and grown in California is a strong purchase driver for California avocado customers and consumers,” said Terry Splane, CAC vice president of marketing.

The International Year of the Woman Farmer highlights that agriculture encompasses more than mere production; it centers on individuals who nourish and support their communities. CAC’s support of this CA Grown initiative will include PR and social media content promoting the impact of California’s female avocado farmers.

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - For 40 years, Raley’s Food For Families has been a steadfast partner in the fight against hunger. Since 1986, the organization has donated more than 81 million dollars and 70 million pounds of wholesome, nutritious food to its existing network of 12 Feeding America food bank partners and their subsequent network of more than 2,400 agencies.

Now, as Raley’s Food For Families marks this significant anniversary, the organization is demonstrating its long-term dedication with the launch of its renewed 2026 Infrastructure Grant Program with applications open now through February 2, 2026. The grant initiative builds on immediate hunger relief efforts by investing in infrastructure that enables sustained, meaningful impact for years to come.

“For four decades, Food For Families has been privileged to donate millions of pounds of food and to provide support to hungry families across our communities. This milestone is a moment to celebrate that impact and recommit to the long-term work of food security,” said Julie Teel, President of Food For Families Board of Directors, in the recent release. “By focusing on infrastructure, we’re strategically making funds available so these vital community partners can strengthen their ability to get food to those who need it most.”

Building on a Year of Impact

The new grant cycle builds on the success of the inaugural 2025 Infrastructure Grant Program, which distributed just over $340,000 to support critical needs identified by food banks and their partner agencies. The first funding round made a significant impact, including funds for refrigeration units, box trucks, forklifts, and pallet jacks, along with many smaller infrastructure items, such as shelving units.

“These investments directly translate to increased food access for families by allowing food bank staff and volunteers to work more efficiently, ultimately serving more people with the same resources. For example, a single pallet jack can save 76 manual trips per truckload,” said Teel. “The grant funding is a tangible example of the profound commitment Raley’s has made to the communities it serves.”

2026 Infrastructure Grant Cycle Details and Guidelines

The 2026 Infrastructure Grant Program will prioritize grants that directly increase food access rather than focus on food education. Eligible applicants include partner agencies, food pantries, and closets affiliated with Raley’s Food For Families’ Feeding America food bank partners:

• Alameda County Community Food Bank
• Central California Food Bank
• Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
• Food Bank for Monterey County
• Food Bank of Northern Nevada
• Feeding the Foothills
• Redwood Empire Food Bank
• Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
• Second Harvest Silicon Valley
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County
• Second Harvest of The Greater Valley
• Yolo Food Bank

As a way to celebrate and recognize its long-term food bank partner network, Raley’s will also highlight the work of one partner food bank each month throughout 2026. For more information about the 2026 Infrastructure Grant Program, including application deadlines and specific requirements, food bank partners should reach out to their Feeding America food bank partner.

“We’re honored to mark 40 years of food security leadership and real-world impact,” said Teel. “Raley’s Food For Families has remained committed in its mission to alleviate hunger by providing nutritious food to those in need. The organization’s longevity reflects a deep-rooted belief that food security is foundational to community health and opportunity.”

FOLSOM, CA - There is good news for walnuts in the newly released 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), which emphasize “real”, nutrient-dense foods — including nuts — as the foundation of a healthy diet.

The DGAs recognize nuts as a source of plant-based protein and emphasize consumption of healthy fats found in whole foods across multiple age groups and life-stages, and the accompanying report features walnuts on their list of “rich sources of [omega-3] ALA.” In addition, for the first time, walnuts are clearly represented in the new food pyramid.

Further, within a 2,000-calorie diet, the DGAs recommend one ounce of nuts or seeds and two tablespoons of nut or seed butter as part of the three to four daily servings of protein foods. The DGAs also recommend introducing potentially allergenic foods —including nut butters—with other complementary foods to infants at about 6 months.

“This marks an important step in gaining broader recognition that walnuts, as a healthy and real food, should be part of our daily lifestyle,” said Robert Verloop, CEO of the California Walnut Commission (CWC), in the recent release. “It also is a testament to the 30 years of investment in sound, scientific health and nutrition research by the California walnut industry.”

While the new DGAs were under development, the CWC leveraged the over 240 published research studies to submit comments and provide evidence showcasing how walnuts can be included in healthy dietary patterns. The CWC continues to support new research in areas such as gut health, sleep and cognitive function, alongside continued investment in heart and metabolic health.

“Through CWC’s Global Health Research Program, we’re fueling science that speaks to health and wellness, and supporting researchers exploring the topics that truly matter to consumers,” said Rachel Blaine, CWC scientific advisor. “By advancing evidence in these areas, we’re showcasing how walnuts can power overall well-being and inspire people everywhere to make walnuts a delicious part of their daily routine.”

The DGAs also highlight a broader commitment to American agriculture. “We are realigning our food system to support American farmers, ranchers and companies who grow and produce real food,” according to the DGAs.