Independence, KY – Crosset Company announced today that fresh produce leaders from four leading, distinctly different grocery retailers across the US and Canada will serve as panelists at the Crosset 2019 Produce & Floral Conference on August 28 in Cincinnati, OH.
The panel will feature Greg Corrigan, Senior Director of Produce and Floral for Raley’s, Caitlin Tierney, Senior Director of Produce for 99 Cents Only Stores,Drew Sullivan, Senior Category Manager-Produce for Sprouts Farmers Market, and Mimmo Franzone, Director of Produce and Floral at Longo Brothers Fruit Markets. The roundtable discussion of how local, organic, and clean foods support their respective company’s differentiation strategies will be moderated by Steve Lutz, Vice President of Member Engagement for the Produce Marketing Association.
“We are thrilled to bring together such a distinguished group of produce industry professionals for our 2019 Produce & Floral Conference,” said Greg Kurkjian, Crosset Vice President/General Manager. “Each of the retailers represented on this panel have successfully crafted a unique positioning in their marketplace, delivered in large part through their fresh produce offerings. We look forward to a lively discussion that will both challenge and inspire our conference attendees in their “Dare to be Different” journey.”
Panelist: Greg Corrigan, Senior Director of Produce and Floral, Raley’s:Greg oversees all produce procurement and merchandising for Raley’s Bel Air, Nob Hill and Food Source stores in California and Nevada. Greg is also the current chairman of the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association Board of Directors.
Panelist: Caitlin Tierney, Senior Director of Produce, 99 Cents Only Stores: Over her 14-year career in the produce industry, Caitlin has gathered a unique perspective on up-and-coming trends such as e-commerce, grocery delivery, prepared foods, packaged produce, seed science and discount retail. Her retail career started as a produce category assistant for Michigan-based Spartan Stores, where she spent several years as a buyer before moving to New York-based Fresh Direct as a senior produce buyer. Prior to joining 99 Cents Only Stores, she was the produce and floral Purchasing Manager for Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market and NAFTA Produce Chain Marketing Manager for Bayer CropScience.
Panelist: Drew Sullivan, Senior Category Manager-Produce, Sprouts Farmers Market: Drew has nearly 20 years of retail grocery produce experience, first with Safeway and, for the past 3 years, with Sprouts Farmers Market. His experience spans produce department management, field merchandising, and regional and national produce category management responsibilities. He brings an innovative, analytical, and creative approach to driving produce growth.
Panelist: Mimmo Franzone, Director – Produce and Floral, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets: Mimmo developed a passion for fresh food and produce while working in the family business. Over the course of his 16-year career with Longo’s, Mimmo has worked as produce manager, produce category manager, and now director of produce and floral. It is his personal mission to bring Longo’s guests all the flavors and experiences that the world’s crops have to offer. With a focus on quality and love of unique offerings, Mimmo is a leader in building sustainable relationships with growers to ensure Longo’s delivers the freshest and finest produce, regardless of season.
Moderator: Steve Lutz, Vice President of Member Engagement, Produce Marketing Association: Steve’s career spans nearly 40 years working in fresh food marketing and research. His career includes two stints with the Washington Apple Commission, first managing industry-wide marketing programs for the apple growers of Washington State and later serving as President/CEO; managing marketing programs for several wineries while at Ogilvy & Mather; co-founder of Perishables Group; and Vice President of Marketing for CMI Orchards.
Registration is now open for the all new Crosset Company Produce & Floral Conference, which will be held in Cincinnati, OH on August 28, 2019. Retailers, Foodservice Operators, Growers, Suppliers, and other industry partners can now register on-line at crosset.com.
Joining Crosset as the hosts of this year’s event are sister companies Castellini Wholesale, Club Chef, and RWI Logistics. With their participation, customer attendance is expected to double versus last year. As a group, the companies are bringing together the industry’s best fresh produce and floral suppliers and marketers to exhibit their latest innovations and offer spectacular show-only promotional programs.
The day-long event will feature guest speakers and panelists, networking and sales opportunities with leading-edge produce and floral suppliers, and cooking demonstrations and sampling throughout the day. The Conference will be held at Great American Ball Park, home to the Cincinnati Reds Baseball team, followed by an exciting new evening experience featuring a new dinner venue and an opportunity to discover Cincinnati’s brewing heritage firsthand. Visithttps://crosset.com/resources/annual-produce-floral-conference-registration/ to see the full schedule, slate of speakers, exhibitors, and attendees, and toregister now for this must-attend event.
For more information about the upcoming Crosset Company Produce & Floral Conference or to learn more about the company and its products, please visitcrosset.com or contact Stephanie Smith, Crosset Company (859) 817-7600 stephanie.smith@crosset.com
About Crosset Company: Crosset Company is a leading distributor of organic and locally grown fresh produce and a premier full-line, full-service wholesaler of fresh produce and floral products to customers across the eastern half of the United States. A proud member of the Castellini Group of Companies, Crosset Company supplies its customers with a complete range of the highest quality organic, local, conventional, fresh-cut, and value-added fruits and vegetables, along with a broad floral selection, year-round. Serving traditional and natural/organic grocery retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice operators of all sizes, both direct to store and to distribution centers, Crosset Company delivers generations of produce experience, a network of growers, customers, and facilities that are second-to-none, unparalleled merchandising expertise, customized supply chain solutions, and an unmatched passion for customer service, all with a singular focus: differentiating stores, delighting shoppers, and growing their customers’ business. Learn more at crosset.com.
About Raley’s Supermarkets: Raley’s Supermarkets is a privately held, family-owned supermarket chain that operates 129 stores under the Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods, Food Source and Market 5-ONE-5 banners in northern California and Nevada. “It’s Raley’s purpose to change the way the world eats, one plate at a time. We want to make shopping easier, healthier and more personal for our customers. We nourish communities through service, transparency and personalized savings.” Raleys.com
About 99 Cents Only Stores: 99 Cents Only Stores is a premier deep-discount retailer with 391 stores located in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada. “We are an exciting shopping destination—often the first stop—for price-sensitive consumers, and a fun treasure-hunt shopping experience for other value conscious consumers. 99 Cents Only Stores serves communities with fresh produce and a wide assortment of quality products from everyday household items to fresh produce to an exciting assortment of seasonal and party merchandise.” 99only.com
About Sprouts Farmer Markets: Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. specializes in fresh, natural and organic products at prices that appeal to everyday grocery shoppers, with over 300 stores across 19 states. Based on the belief that healthy food should be affordable, Sprouts’ welcoming environment and knowledgeable team members continue to drive its growth. “Sprouts believes that healthy living is a journey and every meal is a choice; we love to inspire, educate and empower every person to eat healthier and live a better life. From day one, Sprouts has believed that being different is a good thing.” Sprouts.com
About Longo Brothers Fruit Market: Longo’s is a family-owned group of 33 full-service grocery stores across the greater Toronto, Ontario area. Today Longo’s represents an evolution of fresh food experiences based on a tradition of quality, service and value that started in 1956. Inspired by the founders’ values of honesty, trustworthiness and mutual respect, Longo’s team of food experts are dedicated to exceeding customer expectations by offering the best food experience to every customer, every time. “A Fresh Tradition is all about embracing our heritage in fresh while welcoming unique product offerings and innovative services that offer a whole layer of convenient, fresh and healthy meals delivered with our renowned customer service.” Longos.com
