Andy O’Brien joins GoodLeaf Farms as president and CEO

Outgoing CEO Barry Murchie will transition to a role on the GoodLeaf Farms board of directors.

Andy O'Brien, GoodLeafFarms
Andy O’Brien
(Photo courtesy of GoodLeafFarms)

Guleph, Ontario-based GoodLeaf Farms says it has hired Andy O’Brien as its new president and CEO. Barry Murchie, who previously held the role will transition to a role on the company’s board of directors, according to a news release.

O’Brien recently held roles as the CEO of M&M Food Market, and he also held roles at General Mills, Campbells, Sunkist, Mars and more, the release said.

O’Brien serves on the advisory board for Northland Restaurant Properties (Moxies, Chop Steakhouse and Denny’s Canada), as well as the board of directors for Bakers Delight/COBS Canada.

“We have set a strong foundation over the past half-decade getting GoodLeaf established with a national footprint to ensure food security and sovereignty for Canadians, and with his exceptional experience in the food and hospitality sector, Andy is going to unlock the growth that foundation can support,” Murchie said in the release.

GoodLeaf Farms said since its founding in 2019, it added facilities in Calgary and Montreal and now produces more than 5 million pounds of fresh leafy greens.

“GoodLeaf Farms presents an amazing opportunity to take a young company with roots in the tech sector and turn it into a strong consumer food brand,” O’Brien said. “GoodLeaf is poised to deliver fresh, high-quality leafy greens to Canadians from coast to coast. I am excited to lead GoodLeaf in this new chapter.”

The Packer logo (567x120)
Related Stories
Following CEO Neal Carter’s recent buyback of Okanagan Specialty Fruits, the Arctic apple developer has bolstered its executive lineup with internal promotions and the appointment of an industry veteran as vice president of sales and marketing.
The former head of Kopke Fruit transformed North American grocery shelves by pioneering counter-seasonal supply chains and establishing the Delaware River ports as the premier hub for South American produce.
The executive assumed the role in July, leading a new phase for the trade association’s U.S. commercial office focused on advancing institutional relations and promotional work for Chilean fruit.
Read Next
As summer market volatility forces growers to adjust harvest schedules and field acreage, industry leaders call on retailers to help share food safety facts and restore stability ahead of winter planting.
Get Daily News
GET MARKET ALERTS
Get News & Markets App