Ron Selders has been named president of fresh by United Natural Foods, Inc., effective December 26. He will lead the company’s growth strategy for its deli, bakery, produce, and meat departments.
“Food retailers continue to invest in their fresh departments as they represent one of the most important growth areas in the grocery store, in addition to being a main driver in how retailers stand out against their competition,” said Steve Dietz, UNFI chief customer officer, whom Selders will report to, in a statement. “Ron has extensive experience in the fresh categories and working with the supplier community, and we expect this experience, combined with his strong understanding of customers’ operational expectations, to benefit our retail customers as they seek tailored solutions to enhance the consumer experience.”
Selders joined UNFI through the acquisition of Tony’s Fine Foods in 2014 and became president of the division in 2018. He has 18 years of leadership experience at Tony’s, helping grow the family-owned specialty deli distribution business across the West Coast. In 2021, he was promoted to UNFI’s SVP of bakery and deli where he led the respective sales, merchandising, and category management teams across the entire organization.
“Large-scale changes to shopping and eating behaviors, especially as more meals are consumed in the home, have put a stronger focus on the perimeter of the grocery store and its offerings. These changes represent a tremendous opportunity for retailers, and I look forward to working with our fresh teams to deliver wide-ranging and innovative products to help our customers grow and thrive,” said Selders, in a statement.
With Selders promotion, current UNFI VP of bakery and deli, Jody Barrick, has been elevated to the SVP of the department. Barrick joined UNFI through the acquisition of Supervalu and brings over 30 years of experience leading the sales, merchandising, and marketing functions of bakery and deli teams.
Related: Honoring Industry’s Best With Leadership Awards; Walker's Director Receives Knighthood from King Charles III