Meijer Executive Joins Food Institute Board

Scott Helder, director of global sourcing, food quality assurance, and food regulatory for Meijer has joined the Board of Trustees of The Food Institute, being unanimously elected at the association's most recent board meeting in Chicago. Helder has responsibility over all Meijer Own Brand Supermarket products to ensure each item meets stringent standards for Quality and Regulatory while remaining competitive. His wide range of experience in all food categories and vast understanding of the global food supply chain has been developed through significant global travel.

Mr. Helder's career at Meijer started 2010 as a foundational member of the Own Brand Sourcing team. He was promoted to the Fresh and Frozen Seafood Merchant where he had full responsibility for the entire seafood category. Following seafood, Helder was promoted to director of global sourcing with responsibility for all Meijer Brand Suppliers both domestic and global. Since that time Helder has assumed additional responsibilities leading the Supermarket Quality Assurance and Regulatory Teams. Prior to Meijer Helder worked at Gordon Food Service developing supplier relationships with the Fruit, Vegetable, and Dairy team. Helder led the negotiations and developed the long-term contracts with suppliers to ensure Gordon Food Service was partnered with the best suppliers. Helder has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Calvin College, Grand Rapids MI.

In 2009  Helder was a foundational member of the first community garden in West Michigan. The intent of the garden is to provide fresh wholesome vegetables for anyone in the community. The garden was established at Fairway Christian Reformed Church on an empty space of land, and continues today with Fruit Trees and Garden Vegetables. The entire garden project is tended to by volunteers. Helder has also been a volunteer teacher through West Michigan Junior Achievement teaching basic economics to Elementary and Middle School children.

Helder will join nine other Trustees including: Susan T. Borra, Senior Vice President, Communications, Food Marketing Institute; Frank DiPasquale, Partner, Allen Austin Global Executive Search and Consulting; Doug Fritsch, Sr. Vice President Retail & Business Development, IGA USA ; Robert Higgins, Executive Director, Academy of Food Marketing, Saint Joseph's University; Ed Kubarewicz, Managing Director, Slattery Marketing LLC; Erica Kuhlmann, Managing Director, BMO Harris Bank; Michael Sansolo, President, Sansolo Solutions; Edward Salzano, EDNJ Associates, and Brian Todd, president & CEO, The Food Institute.