The Fresh Market Raising Funds for Victims of Maui Fires
The Fresh Market, Inc. is stepping up to support the victims of the devastating fires in Hawaii. The specialty food retailer is hosting a five-day register roundup at all of its stores to raise money for those affected by the Maui fires. The funds raised during the event will be donated to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines to provide meals to people impacted by humanitarian, natural and community crises around the globe.
The roundup fundraiser will take place from Wed., Aug. 23, and run through Sun., Aug. 27 in all 160 of The Fresh Market’s stores. During this time, guests are encouraged to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with the difference being donated to WCK.
The nonprofit is providing meals to first responders and affected community members, in distribution points and door-to-door wherever needed. Additionally, WCK has positioned food trucks across several severely impacted areas. The WCK Relief team was quick to mobilize soon after the fires spread and has provided more than 50,000 meals to people in need throughout Maui and the Big Island.
“We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the fires in Hawaii and want to do our part to help the victims,” said The Fresh Market CEO Jason Potter. “By supporting World Central Kitchen, we can ensure that those affected by the fires receive nourishing meals during this difficult time. Every cent counts, and even a small contribution can make a big difference in supporting the Maui wildfire relief efforts and helping victims on their path to recovery.
Founded by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen has been supporting communities in need since 2010, providing meals to people affected by natural and manmade disasters. WCK’s Chef Relief Team mobilizes to the frontlines with the urgency of now to start cooking and provide meals to people in need.
Deploying its model of quick action, leveraging local resources, adapting in real time, and by partnering with organizations on the ground, WCK provides freshly made, nutritious meals quickly and effectively, firm in the belief that a humble plate of food is more than a meal – it’s a sign that someone cares.
Voted as the “Best Supermarket in America” by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2022 and 2021, “America’s Best Customer Service 2021” by Newsweek and Statista and a top 5 most trusted grocery retail brand for specialty and natural/organic foods in the 2022 BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards, The Fresh Market helps guests discover the best with time-saving meal solutions, unique ingredients, and delicious food for any occasion.
From fresh produce and exceptional meat and seafood to signature baked goods and thousands of organic options, the specialty grocer has something to please every palate. The Fresh Market currently operates 160 stores in 22 states across the United States, inspiring guests to discover new flavors and cook with confidence.
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McKenna Retires as Walmart International Executive
Judith McKenna is retiring as president and CEO of Walmart International, with Kath McLay taking her place and Chris Nicolas taking McLay’s place as president and CEO of Sam’s Club U.S. The leadership changes take effect Sept. 11 and announced in a memo from Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart Inc., to associates.
McMillon’s memo:
I feel a great deal of gratitude today as I share news about a retirement and several promotions. Judith McKenna, president and CEO of Walmart International, has made the decision to retire following an incredible 27 years with the company. With her retirement, I’m happy to share Kath McLay will become the president and CEO of Walmart International and Chris Nicholas will become the president and CEO of Sam’s Club U.S. These leadership changes will be effective on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023.
I’ll start with gratitude for Judith. I first met Judith when she was CFO of our business in the U.K., and I was struck by her combination of intelligence and heart. She went on to become COO of Asda before moving to our Home Office in Bentonville where she led strategy, real estate, M&A and other areas for our International segment. From there she led our Neighborhood Market business and our early work to transform into an omnichannel business as chief development officer of Walmart U.S., before being promoted to COO. As COO, Judith played an integral role in strengthening our Walmart U.S. business, shaping our eCommerce offering and digital transformation by leading the online grocery pickup business. This was a foundational moment that helped us achieve the omnichannel position we have today. She prioritized our store associates. She listened carefully and acted quickly to make investments in compensation, launch Walmart Academies, introduce new technology for our store managers and make other changes that strengthened the core of the business. Judith put the phrase, “Our people make the difference,” back onto our store associate badges to remind everyone how essential associates are to our success.
Nearly six years ago, we asked Judith to lead our International business. She and the team have re-architected the segment and led a multi-year transformation that resulted in International delivering more growth and stronger financial results across the board. More importantly, Judith’s leadership has positively impacted countless lives by creating opportunity and showing us how to lead with purpose. Her deep care for our associates around the globe and her passion for developing people has made a difference. Judith will remain with the company until Jan. 31, 2024 to help ensure a smooth transition and to continue serving on our Walmex, Flipkart and PhonePe Boards.
Judith, we are extremely grateful for everything you’ve done for our associates and for our business. I have appreciated your partnership and have loved watching you lead and make the world a better place through your work. We’re grateful to you, Phil, Alex and Charlie, and we hope the chapters in front of you are full of joy.
I’m thankful for the depth of leadership in our company, and I am excited to see Kath McLay step into the role of president and CEO of Walmart International. Kath joined our company in 2015. After roles in strategy and supply chain, she led our Neighborhood Market business before becoming the president and CEO of Sam’s Club U.S., where she and our team delivered 12 straight quarters of double-digit sales growth. She prioritized a member-centric culture, the improvement of our merchandise quality and an expansion of our omnichannel capabilities. Kath moved to the U.S. from Australia to join Walmart after spending the early part of her career with Woolworths and Qantas. She’ll do a phenomenal job leading our International business.
I’m also excited that Chris Nicholas will become the president and CEO of Sam’s Club U.S. Most recently, Chris has been our Walmart U.S. COO where he has led our store and supply chain team and helped develop a strategy to create a more intelligent and automated end-to-end supply chain. He was previously the CFO of our Walmart U.S. and Walmart International businesses. Chris moved to the U.S. to join Walmart after serving in merchandising and finance roles across seven countries while with Tesco, Salling and the Coles group in Australia. Chris has a passion for the development of our associates and for serving our customers. He’ll bring this passion to Sam’s Club, and I know he will do an exceptional job.
I look forward to working with Kath and Chris in their new roles and am confident they will continue strengthening these businesses while leading with purpose and values.
Please join me in congratulating Judith, Kath and Chris.
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Kraft Heinz Appoints Abrams-Rivera as CEO
Newly appointed Kraft Heinz CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera (left), and outgoing CEO Miguel Patricio (right) (Photo: Business Wire)
The Kraft Heinz Company announced that its board of directors has appointed Carlos Abrams-Rivera as chief executive officer and a member of the board, effective Jan. 1. Until then, Abrams-Rivera will continue in his role as president of the North America zone with the added responsibilities of becoming president of Kraft Heinz, effective immediately.
Abrams-Rivera will take over as CEO from Miguel Patricio, who has served as CEO since 2019 and chair of the board since 2022. Patricio will transition to the role of non-executive chair of the board on Jan 1.
In his role as EVP and President of the North America Zone, Abrams-Rivera has successfully overseen the Company’s U.S. and Canadian operations.
“Carlos is the best person to lead the next phase of the Company’s transformation,” said Patricio. “His strategic and innovative mindset is ideal to continue to propel Kraft Heinz forward on our path to greatness.
“Since joining Kraft Heinz in 2020, he has consistently delivered strong results in the North American retail and Away From Home businesses. Carlos’ experience in both developed and emerging markets complements our ambition for growth. I feel privileged to entrust Carlos with the leadership of this great company, and I am confident that Kraft Heinz is poised for more growth in the years to come.”
Patricio will transition to a new role as non-executive chair of the board. Since 2019, when Patricio joined the company, he has led Kraft Heinz through a period of fundamental change in consumer trends, unprecedented business and global challenges, and consistent periods of top and bottom-line growth.
“We are extremely grateful for Miguel’s leadership over the past four years. He has a deep understanding of marketing and consumers, which was instrumental to the company’s turnaround,” said Jack Pope, lead director of the board. “The transition from Miguel to Carlos reflects the Board’s thoughtful succession planning and we are confident that the Company will continue to accelerate growth with Carlos assuming the role of CEO.
“He is an experienced leader with a long tenure in the food and beverage industry who has shown consistency and excellence in execution. Carlos’ leadership in transforming North America with innovative partnerships, tech-enabled solutions and developing and attracting world class talent will serve the company well into the future. We look forward to continuing to work with him.”
“I am humbled and honored to be appointed as the new CEO of Kraft Heinz. I would like to thank Miguel for his mentorship, all he has done to rekindle the spirit of Kraft Heinz and our culture, and for his partnership, now and in the future,” Abrams-Rivera said.
“I would also like to thank the board of directors for placing its trust in me. Finally, to the thousands of colleagues across Kraft Heinz that have welcomed and trusted me, I am excited to go into a bright future together.”
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