United Kingdom-based technology company Gardin has named Dorn Wenninger as an adviser. He is a 30-year-plus produce industry veteran who has held roles with suppliers and retailers.
“Dorn brings a lifetime of experiences and connections to the most important grower/shippers, breeders and produce retailers around the world,” Gardin founder and CEO Sumanta Talukdar said in a news release. “We’re excited to add Dorn’s deep industry knowledge and relationships to the Gardin team as we ramp up our global penetration.”
Wenninger spent the first half of his career as a grower-shipper with Chiquita and later led Driscoll’s European business, the release said. The latter half involved working with retailers; he spent nine years leading the produce team for Walmart U.S. and then Walmart Mexico. For the past three years, Wenninger served as senior vice president of produce for UNFI, supplying thousands of independent retailers across the U.S.
Gardin and Wenninger first connected through the International Fresh Produce Association Technology Accelerator program, according to the release.
“For years, farmers have improved yields by dialing in the use of fertilizers, water and light,” Wenninger said. “Now, the Gardin sensor allows farmers to monitor the plant, in real time, to reach its maximum potential. While measuring photosynthesis (chlorophyll fluorescence) has been possible for years, the Gardin sensor and [artificial intelligence] platform finally make it deployable at scale as an everyday tool for farmers and breeders. “I’m excited to be a part of the Gardin team as we help farmers around the world be able to consistently reach for higher yields.”
