Farm Journal announced today that Tom Karst, editor of The Packer, is moving into an editor emeritus position as a capstone role for his four-decade career of creating best-in-class content for the produce industry’s most respected publication. As editor emeritus, Karst will focus on covering key topics, creating content for special projects and continuing interaction within the produce arena. Following in his footsteps as the editor of The Packer is Jennifer Strailey, the newest addition to Farm Journal’s industry-leading content team.
“Farm Journal and The Packer have a long history of serving their readers in the agricultural and produce industries,” said Karst. “I have enjoyed my part in helping to fulfill that mission for nearly 40 years with The Packer and continuing in 2022 in my new role.”
Karst’s tenure with The Packer began with Vance Publishing before Farm Journal’s acquisition of the company in 2015. He started with The Packer as a commodities and market editor before taking on other content roles. In 2018, he became editor of The Packer.
“As the produce industry continues to evolve and change, we are committed to The Packer being a resource to every segment of the business,” said Matt Morgan, executive vice president of Produce, Farm Journal. “We are excited to have Jennifer Strailey guiding The Packer and its value to everyone in the produce business in the years to come.”
Strailey was most recently editor-in-chief of Winsight Grocery Business and brings two decades of experience covering the competitive grocery, natural products and specialty food and beverage landscape. In previous roles, her focus has been to provide retail decision-makers with the insight, market intelligence, trends analysis, news and strategic merchandising concepts that drive sales. Strailey began her journalism career at The Gourmet Retailer, where she was an associate editor and has been a longtime freelancer for a variety of trade media outlets. Additionally, she has more than a decade of experience in the wine industry, both as a reporter and public relations account executive.
“Having long covered the retail side of produce, I couldn’t be more excited about my new role at Farm Journal and The Packer,” said Strailey. “I’m honored to join this talented and experienced team and thrilled by the opportunity to immerse myself in the agricultural side of this dynamic industry.”
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