Potandon’s CEO Retires, Fresh Direct Ex-CEO Steps In
Potandon Produce, one of the largest providers of fresh potatoes in North America and global leader within the world’s top three food crops, has announced that Mel Davenport, the company’s chief executive pfficer, will retire after 30+ years of service marked by the launch of Klondike Goldust and Klondike Rose potatoes and the CarbSmart line. Succeeding him as CEO will be David Lawrence, former CEO of Fresh Direct, effective immediately.
Over the past nearly three decades, Davenport has helped guide the company through significant growth and innovation in the fresh produce market. Under his leadership, Potandon strengthened its market position, continued the expansion of its Green Giant Fresh products, expanded its product offerings, and fostered a culture of excellence and sustainability.
“Mel’s well-deserved retirement marks the culmination of a career,” said Jeff Sholl, founder and managing member of Potandon. “As a key member of Potandon’s senior management team, Mel has been a cornerstone of our business since its inception and his leadership has been pivotal to the company’s position today. As we celebrate Mel’s contributions, we also look forward to an exciting new chapter under the leadership of David Lawrence, whose vision and expertise will guide Potandon toward continued growth and success.”
Lawrence brings a wealth of experience and proven leadership in the fresh food and logistics industries. During his tenure at Fresh Direct, Lawrence spearheaded initiatives that enhanced customer experience, streamlined operations, and drove significant business growth. His deep understanding of consumer needs and his commitment to innovation align seamlessly with Potandon’s vision for the future. Prior to that, Lawrence served as the President of Taylor Farms Northwest, LLC, CEO of National Pecan, LLC, and President of C.M. Holtzinger Fruit Company. With a track record of driving growth, operational excellence, and innovation, Lawrence is well-positioned to lead Potandon Produce into its next chapter.
“I am looking forward to joining Potandon Produce and building upon the strong foundation established by Mel and the team,” said Lawrence. “At a time when consumers are more focused on functional foods, health and nutrition than ever, I’m proud to join a company that understands these evolving needs and is committed to delivering unique varieties and such a huge consumer footprint for providing nutritious, high-quality produce to meet them.”
Potandon Produce is an ag-tech and food-tech leader, and one of the largest providers of fresh table stock potatoes in the nation and also a leading provider of fresh onions. Its product line includes Minute Mashers™, ONE STEP… DONE!, and classic russet, yellow, red, and white potatoes. The company’s unique vertical integration has led to a state-of-the-art variety development program for unique potato varieties, conventional and sweet onions, and many others within the world’s top 3 food crops, and that looks ten years down the road to develop potatoes for future shoppers based on extensive consumer research.
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NatureSweet Constellation Holiday Medley Debut
This holiday season, NatureSweet is bringing festive cheer to kitchens nationwide with its Constellation blend of red and green snacking tomatoes. Perfect for adding a pop of color and flavor to festive appetizers, charcuterie boards, salads and seasonal dishes, this 10-oz holiday medley offers a delightful balance of sweet red Cherubs and floral green grape tomatoes, enhanced by subtle hints of aromatic herbs.
“At NatureSweet, we love to make memories, even with our favorite, sweet snacking tomatoes,” said Mary Pettis, brand manager at NatureSweet. “Many consumers have shared how excited they are to try green tomatoes and create beautiful platters to share with guests. Families may also enjoy leaving these little red and green tomatoes out for Santa and his reindeer— a fun way to incorporate healthy options alongside traditional holiday treats. We’re proud to offer healthy snacking choices year-round, and especially during the holiday season when everyone’s enjoying delicious food together.”
Available for a limited time this December, the Constellation Red and Green Blend is a seasonal favorite and is available in a 10-oz package at select retailers, including Roundy’s Supermarkets, Hy-Vee, Topco, Peirone Produce, and Big Y. Suggested retail price is $3.49.
Make this holiday season even more special with NatureSweet Constellation tomatoes, a flavorful and colorful way to elevate your favorite dishes and celebrate the season.
NatureSweet, the leading brand in snacking tomatoes, is your single-source solution for greenhouse-grown vegetables. As the largest vertically integrated controlled environment agriculture company in North America and greenhouse grower, NatureSweet owns over 1,400 acres of greenhouse space.
With a dedicated team of approximately 9,000 Associates, we carefully grow, harvest, and package a variety of fresh vegetables, both organic and conventional, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers. Available in major retailers across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, our produce is handpicked at peak freshness to ensure superior quality. Committed to making a positive social, environmental, and economic impact, NatureSweet’s purpose is to transform the lives of millions of agricultural workers through a scalable and profitable business model. Our dedication to sustainability and social responsibility is reflected in our B Corp, Fair Trade and Equitable Food Initiative certifications.
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Lindt & Sprüngli Hosts U.S. Debut of Lindt Dubai Chocolate
To make the holiday season even brighter, Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) is holding the U.S. debut of Lindt Dubai Chocolate, which will be available for New York City locals and visitors to taste and purchase during an in-store celebration on Thursday, Dec. 12.
Available in a limited quantity, the handmade Lindt Dubai Chocolate will debut in the Lindt New York Empire State Shop in Manhattan at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 until they sell out. The bars – delivered in high-quality, luxurious packaging – will retail for $14.99 each. Additionally, each guest who purchases a bar will receive a hand-numbered certificate and complimentary Lindt goodies to enjoy. More bars will later be rolled out across the USA in various other Lindt Retail Stores in limited quantities.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the Lindt Dubai Chocolate Bar to the U.S. for the first time this holiday season, and there’s no better place to launch it than New York City,” said Ann Czaja, Lindt master chocolatier. “Our Master Chocolatiers have skillfully crafted the ingredients by hand, allowing chocolate lovers to taste the global flavor sensation that’s taken the world by storm in an unforgettable, luxurious experience.”
The first recipe for Dubai chocolate was created in 2021 by Sarah Hamouda of FIX Dessert Chocolatier and gained viral notoriety on TikTok by various creators. Now, the Lindt master chocolatiers are picking up on this global trend and are proudly presenting their own recipe. Lindt Dubai Chocolate invites fans across the globe on a journey into the luxurious world of Dubai-inspired flavors and textures.
Packed with exquisite ingredients that are skillfully combined by hand, these Lindt Dubai Chocolate bars make every bite a unique taste experience. With the chocolate’s texture being of the utmost importance, the melt-in-the-mouth Lindt milk chocolate is generously filled with the finest pistachio butter, crispy kadayif (crunchy pastry shreds) and velvety tahini. The combination of the luxurious Lindt milk chocolate and crispy, creamy filling makes Lindt Dubai Chocolate an unforgettable, indulgent experience that can’t be missed.
The kick-off celebration event at the Lindt New York Empire State Shop on Dec. 12 will include chocolate-filled experiences throughout the day. Guests can enjoy free chocolate samples, take-home coupons, and enter for a chance to win a year’s supply of Lindt Chocolate (details to follow). Though the Lindt Dubai Chocolate bars are a limited quantity, every guest who visits is sure to be delighted by the delicious fun that awaits them at the celebration event!
Store Location and Hours:
- 7 W. 34th St. New York, NY 10001
- 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Can’t make it to the New York City Lindt Dubai Chocolate event? Don’t worry, a limited number of bars are coming soon to other Lindt Chocolate shops. Follow @Lindt_USA Instagram and TikTok to keep up with all Lindt USA news. To be the first to learn about upcoming promotions, flash sales, and store events, join Lindt’s email list on lindtusa.com.
Lindt & Sprüngli has been enchanting the world with chocolate for over 175 years. The long-established Swiss company with its roots in Zurich is a global leader in the premium chocolate product sector. Lindt & Sprüngli produces quality chocolates today at its 12 factories in Europe and the USA. Its products are sold by 36 subsidiaries and branch offices in around 530 of its own stores as well as via a network of more than 100 independent distributors around the globe. With more than 14,500 employees, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group reported sales of CHF 5.2 billion in 2023.
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