North Bay Produce, Traverse City, Mich., has welcomed Chad Hansen and Freddy Hoflack to its leadership team.
Hansen joins North Bay as the West Coast manager in the U.S.
“Chad will help us develop the West Coast from both a procurement and sales perspective with his knowledge and relationships from both sides of the business,” said Nick Osmulski, president of North Bay Produce.
Hansen has worked to mature the existing opportunities and ideas for grower-centric technology and innovation with a focus on farm economics, according to a news release.
“I am passionate about helping to preserve the legacy of farming and agriculture that we need to carry forward into future generations, while modernizing and aligning the necessary pieces of technology and data used in field, shed and sales functions,” Hansen said.
Hoflack steps into the role of country manager of Mexico. He will focus on berry varietal development and business relations.
“Freddy knows the berry business well from both the grower and commercial side, which will make him a great fit and tremendous addition for North Bay,” Osmulski said.
Hoflack has extensive experience across many areas of the produce industry, the release said. His latest role allowed him to consult on developing different berry varieties, conduct work in test plots and create strong relationships with berry breeders and variety administrators.
“I am very happy to be part of the North Bay Produce family as well as excited to promote the development of our growers in Mexico,” Hoflack said.
North Bay Produce says it has a significant presence in the global market and looks forward to building on the West Coast and Mexican relationships where Hansen and Hoflack will be instrumental to the business’s success.
The grower-owned cooperative says it is using extensive varietal trials in multiple regions around the world, as it aims to produce the best-tasting and longest-lasting fruits and vegetables.
North Bay added that it seeks to deliver on taste and texture, while at the same time, works to reduce waste through technology and breeding.
