C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. announced the appointment of Mark Verdi, an experienced global finance and operations executive, as president, a new position at the C&S. Verdi will assume his responsibilities March 1.

A native of Springfield, VT, Verdi joins C&S from Bain Capital, where he was a managing director and co-head of the private investment firm’s Global Portfolio Group, which works with the management teams of the businesses it owns to define and execute growth strategies, enhance their operations and improve organizational effectiveness.

The WhiteWave Foods Co. announced that Kevin C. Yost will join WhiteWave’s newly acquired Earthbound Farm business as president, effective immediately. Charlie Sweat, previously chief executive officer of Earthbound Farm, will move into an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition. The rest of the Earthbound Farm management team will continue to serve in their current roles.  

As 2013 came to a close, California Giant Berry Farms was already into the 2014 fresh berry season on many fronts. With multiple growing regions and berry types, harvest seasons overlap, resulting in no real end or beginning to berry season each year. However, the new year will result in increased berry volume over 2013 and additional acreage.

Potandon Produce is teaming up with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on its upcoming release of its new animated comedy, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.

Leaders of St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets Inc. joined with Joseph (Joe) Koppeis to announce the Schnucks purchase of Columbia Centre Market Place Inc., a Koppeis family enterprise in Columbia, IL.

“In this, our 75th anniversary year, we are thankful to area customers whose support has enabled us to expand into new areas,” said Schnucks Chairman and CEO Scott Schnuck. “Schnucks remains committed to introducing more customers to our distinctive combination of quality, value and service.”

On Dec. 17, Fred Hess, co-owner of Hess Bros. Fruit Co. in Lancaster, PA, told The Produce News that the company’s crop condition at the current time was basically where he expected it to be.

“We still have quite a lot of fruit to get through,” said Hess. “We will pack all through the summer, which is exactly what we like to do. We’ll be packing this crop right up until we start harvesting the next one.”