Great Lakes Cheese Leader Receives IDFA’s 2024 Food Safety Leadership Award

Rob Shumaker ofGreat Lakes Cheese received the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) 2024 Food Safety Leadership Award during IDFA’s Dairy Forum. The award, now in its eighth year, honors an individual, group or organization for demonstrating outstanding leadership directed at enhancing food safety within the dairy products industry.

Ricky Dickson, Recently Retired CEO & President of Blue Bell Creameries, Honored with IDFA Laureate Award

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today recognized the remarkable leadership of Ricky Dickson, former CEO and president of Blue Bell Creameries, with the IDFA Laureate Award during the association’s annual Dairy Forum. Now in its fifth year, the IDFA Laureate Award is given to a leader in the dairy industry who has made significant, prolonged contributions to the development and growth of dairy. Candidates from across the dairy industry as well as suppliers and academics are eligible, and the awardee is chosen by a panel of industry professionals.

ABA & ASB Partner to Advance Training Solutions for the Baking Industry’s Workforce

January 24, 2024 American Bakers Association

The American Bakers Association (ABA) and the American Society of Baking (ASB) are partnering to enhance educational opportunities for professionals in the baking industry. This collaboration brings ABA’s Bakers Manufacturing Academy courses to ASB’s Learning Management System (LMS), the Education Hub, making these resources more convenient and accessible to the broader industry.  

Flowers Foods Names James Simms to Lead DSD Sales Operations

January 24, 2024 Flowers Foods

Flowers Foods, Inc. has named James Simms executive vice president of DSD (direct store distribution) sales operations. In this newly created role, Simms reports to Heeth Varnedoe, president and chief operating officer.

Frank Curci to Retire as CEO of Northeast Grocery

January 24, 2024 Northeast Grocery

As a part of the company’s strategic succession plan, Frank Curci, CEO of Northeast Grocery, Inc. (NGI), the parent company of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Friendly Markets, has announced his retirement. Following an internal and external search, John Persons, NGI’s chief operating officer, has been named by the NGI Board of Directors to succeed him, effective February 26, 2024.