Retailer Panel Announced for 2019 Produce & Floral Conference

Castellini Company is pleased to announce that fresh produce leaders from four leading, distinctly different grocery retailers across the US and Canada will serve as panelists at the Castellini 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, Castellini 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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Castellini Company Produce & Floral Conference, which will be held in Cincinnati, OH on August 28, 2019. Retailers, Foodservice Operators, Growers, Suppliers, and other industry partners are encouraged to attend.

Joining Castellini 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.  See the full schedule, slate of speakers, exhibitors, and attendees, and register now for this must-attend event.

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