SpartanNash CEO Tony Sarsam to join Mission Produce board

Next month, SpartanNash President and CEO Tony Sarsam is slated to become the ninth director on the board of avocado supplier Mission Produce.

Oxnard, California-based Mission said late Thursday that Sarsam is set to join the board effective Aug. 14. His addition will expand the board from its current eight directors, the company noted. He will serve as an independent Class I director, with a term expiring at Mission’s 2024 annual shareholders meeting.

“I am thrilled to join Mission Produce’s board of directors and contribute to the Company’s position as a global leader in the avocado business,” Sarsam said in a statement. “There are many exciting opportunities for growth and innovation within the fresh produce industry, and I look forward to supporting Mission Produce’s journey to build trust and transparency in the produce supply chain.”

Sarsam has served as CEO of Grand Rapids, Michigan-based grocery distributor and retailer SpartanNash since September 2020. Before that, he spent more than 25 years in the consumer food sector, including in fresh produce. He joined SpartanNash from Borden Dairy Co., where he served as CEO for over two-and-a-half years, and prior to that held the chief executive post at Ready Pac Foods for more than four years. His food industry career also includes three years as president of Nestle USA’s direct-store delivery division, over four years at Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, most recently as executive vice president of sales and operations, and more than 11 years at Frito-Lay, most recently as vie president of go-to-market strategy.

“We are pleased to welcome Tony to our board of directors at an exciting time in our company’s 40-year history,” stated Steve Barnard, CEO of Mission Produce, which also supplies mangos and blueberries along with its core offering of avocados. “As Mission Produce continues to focus on our long-term strategic priorities to diversify supply and expand our marketing and distribution network, I believe Tony’s success in driving corporate performance and aligning capabilities with established growth objectives can support our progress toward our business and financial goals. His deep understanding of various business functions—including operations, supply chain, marketing, finance, sales and corporate strategy—will provide our board and executive leadership team with invaluable insight and perspective.”

Mission Produce has sourced, produced and distributed fresh Hass avocados since 1983 and, more recently, added fresh mangos and blueberries to its offerings to retail, wholesale and foodservice customers in over 25 countries. The company owns and operates four state-of-the-art packing facilities in key growing locations globally, including California, Mexico and Peru, and has additional sourcing capabilities in Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Brazil, Ecuador, South Africa and other areas. Its global distribution network encompasses 13 forward distribution centers in key markets across North America, China, Europe, and the United Kingdom, offering value-added services such as ripening, bagging, custom packing and logistical management.