The U.S. Apple Association has named Michigan grower Chris Alpers of RedPath Orchards and Alpers Farms to lead its board of directors. He will serve the 2021-22 term. A third-generation grower, Alpers is the operations manager of RedPath Orchards and Alpers Farms and a partner in Alpers Tree Sales in Lake Leelanau, Michigan, where he grows apples, as well as sweet and tart cherries.
Smithfield's Farmland brand recognized the National FFA Organization and its positive impact in the agricultural industry through a check donation of $100,000. The gift is part of the 2021 Honoring the Heartland Tour, an initiative launched by Farmland in June to show appreciation for the honest work and tireless commitment in Midwest farming communities, agriculture industries, and retail establishments, and to support the next generation of farmers, which includes the more than 760,000 current FFA student members.
Maven Machines, a fleet management and telematics software company in the commercial trucking and transportation industry, has hired Bob Cunningham as chief product officer. With experience in product leadership, technical software development, SaaS, and engineering, Cunningham will strengthen Maven’s position within the fleet management technology industry.
Legacy Foodservice Alliance has announced Keany Produce & Gourmet, in Landover, Maryland, is the newest distributor member of the Richmond-based supply chain organization.
Eckrich, the maker of naturally hardwood smoked sausage and deli meats, announces its continued partnership as the Official Smoked Sausage and Deli Meat Sponsor of the College Football Playoff (CFP). To kick off the 2021 season, Eckrich is launching a multifaceted campaign, including a social contest—College Football Playoff National Tailgate Champion presented by Eckrich—where one lucky fan could win a trip to the 2022 CFP National Championship. The brand is also partnering with the CFP Foundation and its Extra Yard for Teachers initiative to host challenges at key games throughout the season for educators to win $1 million to fund education projects.
To celebrate the Canadian arrival of new Ben & Jerry’s Cores, the brand is launching the "To the Core" challenge—a digital scavenger hunt that gives participants the chance to win free ice cream for a year and more.
Kombucha brand Health-Ade announced longstanding partner First Bev has acquired a controlling stake in the company, with investment help from Manna Tree. Daina Trout, who co-founded Health-Ade in 2012, has taken on the new role of Chief Mission Officer and will work in partnership with Jack Belsito, Managing Partner of First Bev, who will assume the role of CEO. Daina and Jack will be working to cultivate further growth for the fast-growing business, capitalizing on increasing consumer demand for gut-healthy products and expansion opportunities in retail accounts domestically and internationally.
Vejii, which owns and operates the plant-based marketplace ShopVejii.com, has launched same-day delivery across the Lower Mainland in British Columbia. B.C. residents throughout the Lower Mainland can now order all Vejii Express items, with same-day delivery. All orders placed by 10am, will be delivered by 8pm. The service area currently includes Coquitlam, Langley, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Surrey, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Delta, North Vancouver, Richmond Vancouver, and West Vancouver.
Smithfield's plant-based Pure Farmland brand is proud to present the recipients of the 2021 Pure Growth Project grant program. After receiving 103 applications from community gardens and farms across 29 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, 55 organizations have been carefully selected to receive grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000, providing a total of $125,000 in financial support to nurture these unique neighborhood spaces.
Seal the Seasons, the first national brand to sell locally grown frozen produce, has added Serafina Palandech as VP of sales, and Tom Healy as senior sales advisor. Over the past 10 years, Palandech founded, scaled, and sold her own organic chicken nugget venture. Healy played a significant sales role at both Vitamin Water and Pirates Booty prior to their successful acquisition.