CINCINNATI, OH - The Kroger Co. announced that Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health, will retire after more than three decades with the company.

Colleen joined Kroger as a pharmacist in the Cincinnati-Dayton division in 1995. From there, she held several pharmacy roles in the division, including manager, coordinator, sales promoter, recruiter, and merchandiser. Colleen was promoted to director of Pharmacy Sales and Marketing in 2013 and President and CEO of the Little Clinic in 2015. Colleen was named president of Kroger Health in 2017. During her time at Kroger, Colleen has been credited as the architect of the company's Food as Medicine strategy as well as creating the Nourishing Change movement.

"Colleen is truly passionate about improving the health of communities across America," said Mary Ellen Adcock, Kroger's Chief Marketing and Merchandising Officer, in the recent release. "Throughout her career, she championed ways to help families live healthier lives by eating better-for-them foods. We appreciate her contributions to Kroger throughout her career and wish Colleen and her family well in this next chapter."

Colleen is the recipient of Kroger's Chairman's Award, Kroger Leadership Award, and Progressive Grocer's Top Women in Grocery Rising Star Award. Colleen was recognized as one of the "Most Inspirational Female Leaders of the Year" in 2018 by the Break the Ceiling Women in Leadership Summit. In 2020, Colleen was named one of the "Most Influential Women in Retailing" by Mass Market Research. She was also recognized as one of Modern Healthcare's top women leaders in 2023 and an MMR Influential Woman in 2024 and 2025. Under her leadership, Kroger Health was named the 2022 Mass Market Retailer's Retailer of the Year, and Kroger Family of Pharmacies was recognized as a Forbes Best Customer Service Company.

Colleen was the Chair of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and is the Executive Chair of AHA's Heart Mini. She also serves as the Chair of the Easterseals Redwood Board of Directors of Greater Cincinnati.

Colleen earned a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from the University of Cincinnati.

MISSION VIEJO, CA - The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) has released its latest Foodservice Quarterly Insights report, exploring how health and wellness trends are reshaping what consumers look for in food and what those shifts could mean for avocados in foodservice. Developed in partnership with Datassential, the second quarter 2026 report examines GLP-1 adoption, new dietary guidance, high-protein and nutrient-dense demand, clean label, changing wellness priorities, seed-oil alternatives, and growing interest in fiber and gut health.

Across these trends, consumers are showing greater interest in fresh, whole, and simple foods, while operators continue to adapt menus and messaging. The report connects these broader shifts back to avocados, providing the industry with context on where the category naturally fits and where potential foodservice opportunities may be emerging.

Key health and wellness findings include:

• GLP-1 use is influencing food choices. Eleven percent of consumers currently use a GLP-1, and another 27% are interested. Among users, consumption of fresh fruit increased 41%, and vegetable consumption increased 20%, while consumption of sugary, fried, and fatty foods declined.
• Consumers are responding to new federal food guidance faster than operators, a notable finding given avocado's inclusion in the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines graphic. Fifty-eight percent of consumers say they plan to make dietary changes, compared with 48% of operators who plan menu changes.
• High-protein eating is firmly established, with 89% of consumers familiar with the term, 79% having tried high-protein foods, and 65% saying they love or like them. The report highlights avocado as a natural pairing with protein-forward bowls, salads, and sandwiches rather than as a protein source itself.
• Fiber and gut health are gaining momentum, but menus have not kept pace with consumer interest. Prebiotic menu penetration increased from 0.06% in 2020 to 0.25% in 2026, narrowing the gap with probiotic mentions at 0.44%. This creates an opportunity for operators to communicate the fiber provided by avocados more clearly on menus.

“Health and wellness conversations are changing quickly, and the value of this report is that it brings those shifts back to the avocado category,” said Alejandro Gavito, director of business insights and data, in the recent release. “Whether the conversation is GLP-1s, protein, clean label, or avocado oil, the goal is to help the avocado supply chain understand where avocados fit and where there may be opportunities to strengthen their presence in foodservice.”

The report also examines clean label and minimally processed foods, broader wellness priorities, and the growing conversation around fiber and gut health. Across these areas, the findings show how avocados can be considered within evolving consumer expectations.

To explore the complete second quarter 2026 Foodservice Quarterly Insights report and additional findings, visit HassAvocadoBoard.com.

MAITLAND, FL - The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has named Publix Super Markets, Inc. its 2026 Customer of the Year, recognizing the company’s longstanding commitment to Florida growers and Florida-grown products. The award was presented during FFVA’s 82nd annual convention at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples.

Nominated by FFVA producer members, the award recognizes a valued food service or retail partner that helps promote and market fresh Florida produce. Publix was nominated by three separate FFVA producer members, underscoring the broad respect and appreciation it has earned across the industry.

“Publix has long been a trusted partner to Florida growers,” said Jeff Goodale, senior vice president of strategy and business development for Duda Farm Fresh Foods, FFVA board member and chair of FFVA's Supply Chain Management Committee, in the recent release. “Its commitment to sourcing and promoting Florida-grown products, recognizing our farmers and standing by suppliers through challenging seasons has earned the respect of growers across the state. Publix is highly deserving of this recognition.”

Headquartered in Lakeland, Fla., Publix operates more than 1,400 stores across eight Southeastern states: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky.

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is an agricultural organization whose membership represents the majority of fruit and vegetable production in the state of Florida. Follow FFVA on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.