Westminster, CO. — Jeff Tripician, President of Perdue Premium Meat Company (PPMC), LLC., the leader in supporting U.S. family farmers and ranchers in sustainable agriculture and humane animal care, today announced the appointment of seasoned retail veteran, Luke LaPerriere, to Vice President of Retail Innovations. LaPerriere will be supporting PPMC brands Niman Ranch, Coleman Natural and Panorama Grassfed Beef with outreach, merchandising, consumer acquisition and case ready programs to reach a larger nationwide audience looking to better understand their progressive meat choices. He will help grow the company’s legacy as the pioneer in domestic pork, beef and lamb raised humanely and sustainably by U.S. family farmers and ranchers. LaPerriere is a former executive of Harris Teeter/Kroger, Stop and Shop/Ahold and Shaw’s Supermarket, serving as the Vice President of meat and seafood merchandising since 2000. He brings over 40 years of experience in retail, grocery, operations and procurement. He started his retail Supermarket career with Shaw’s Supermarket in 1978 holding over 16 positions in operation and buying.
LaPerriere’s new role comes at a time when demand for premium meats are at an all-time high. A recent report indicated that 52% of consumers want more all-natural products free from antibiotics and added hormones. Humanely raised, sustainable, all-natural meats from PPMC brands like Niman Ranch, Coleman Natural and Panorama Grassfed Beef are transparent and trusted choices. The discerning consumers are also demanding convenience, and the case ready portfolio of sustainable beef, pork and lamb offered by PPMC is leading the modern meat case by providing premium products to help grocers and customers alike.
“With innovative and successful leaders like Luke, we stay true to consumer demand and expand our mission-driven support of domestic family farmers and ranchers, their land and the humane treatment of animals. Luke brings a spirit of developing collaborative working relationships between meat brands and outstanding retail partners,” says Tripician. “Luke has led some of the most progressive grocery store meat departments in the country. As we continue to grow our ability to make positive change in the industry, we need Luke’s help to translate this successfully to other leading grocers that want to attract and retain a superior, long term consumer who demands products that fit their lifestyle today.”
“I have admired Perdue Premium Meats and its family of trusted brands for many years and I am excited to join such a high quality, innovative company that truly cares about animal welfare and U.S. ranch and farm families. This is exactly what the current consumer and future generations are demanding,” said LaPerriere. “My first procurement position was on the poultry desk in the early 90s and I quickly saw firsthand that the Perdue companies have always stood for the upmost quality. I look forward to utilizing my combined experiences in Retail Operations, Supply Chain, Perishable Procurement and Planning to help grow the premium meat brands with progressive grocers across the country. My goal is to help transform the meat case with superior product that today’s consumers want to buy but have difficulty finding.”
LaPerriere will also assist Perdue Farms with new opportunities and relationships with mainstream grocers.
“Bottom line, the addition of Luke to our senior management t team makes us a better company and a better partner with our Grocers,” concluded Tripician.
For interviews, photos or more information contact: Kerri McClimen at kerri.mcclimen@nimanranch.com or 773-746-7077. Business related inquiries: Luke LaPerriere at luke.laperriere@perdue.com.
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About Perdue Farms
We’re a fourth-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers and farmers through trusted choices in products and services.
The PERDUE® brand is the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., and the company is the leader in organic chicken in the U.S., and Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company. As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2020, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey and pork, and in USDA-certified organic chicken. Learn more at www.perduefarms.com.
