DINUBA, California — The Fruit Patch Board of Directors announced the appointment of Jim Gallagher as Chief Executive Officer effective April 30, 2012.
Gallagher is a 1975 Magna cum Laude graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in Economics and over 15 years experience in the fresh produce industry. He is currently the General Manager of organicgirl™ brand salads, while also serving as Executive Vice President of Revenue. Owned by NewStar Fresh LLC and headquartered in Salinas, California, organicgirl is the #1 premium salad brand in the U.S.
Before joining organicgirl in 2007, Jim was VP of Global Sales for Chiquita Brands. As VP of Sales at FreshExpress™ Jim was a key member of the team that built FreshExpress revenues from $150 million to $1.5 Billion and led to the Chiquita purchase of that company in 1997. Jim’s career also includes stints with Willow Foods, Kraft and Procter & Gamble.
“Jim Gallagher is a seasoned fresh produce industry executive with a track record of significant sales & marketing achievements,” said Wil Garland, Chairman of the Fruit Patch Board. Garland went on to add, “He understands well what retailers want from their primary fruit suppliers while also having a unique perspective on the industry – he’s also a citrus and peach grower. With Jim leading the Fruit Patch organization, I have every confidence the company will be delivering best-in-class results for all Fruit Patch stakeholders including
employees, growers, and retailers.”
ABOUT FRUIT PATCH
Founded in 1976, Fruit Patch is one of the San Joaquin Valley’s premier companies, providing farm management, packing and marketing services for growers of apricots, peaches, plums, nectarines, grapes, pomegranates, persimmons, Asian pears, and specialty citrus. Their 400,000 square foot facility, located in Dinuba, California, has best-in-class ‘soft-touch’ packing, storage (one of the largest ozone warehouses in North America) and domestic & international shipping capabilities.
Source: Fruit Patch
