Shuman Produce, grower-shipper of Vidalias and other onions year-round, is rebranding, with a new trade name of Shuman Farms, and has numerous personnel changes, primarily in sales and marketing.
For more than 30 years, the family company has shipped Vidalias, and expanded with Peruvian onions in the late 1990s.
“This change reflects our company’s core business and a return to our roots as a generational family farm,” CEO John Shuman said in a news release. “In addition to our own production, our RealSweet brand is supported by a family of farms in Vidalia and Peru supporting our 12-month sweet onion program.”
Personnel changes include the return of Adam Brady as director of marketing. He first joined the company in September 2010 in a newly created role of marketing manager. Brady moved to Golden Sun Marketing in early 2016 as senior marketing manager.
Jennifer Gooch, who has been in various roles at sporting goods company Mizuno USA Inc. for eight years, is now sales manager at Shuman Farms.
Brandon Parker, the sales manager at the company for 10 years, will oversee the department as director of sales.
Trish James, vice president of Produce for Kids, is now chief marketing officer for Shuman Farms, and will continue to oversee Produce for Kids’ operations, according to the release.
Amanda Keefer, who was director of marketing communications at Produce for Kids, is now managing director.
Other promotions include Johnny White, to senior sales manager, and Erin Waters to sales manager.
Franklin Fox, who has been chief financial officer at McEntire Produce and controller at greens company WP Rawl, is in charge of financials at Shuman Farms.
“The recent promotions and appointments are integral in the success of our growth and rebranding,” Shuman said in the release. “These strategic placements will position us for success in 2019 and beyond.”
Produce for Kids
In 2002, Shuman founded Produce for Kids, a cause-marketing organization which raises money for families and children in need through sales of certain produce items from participating companies. It has raised more than $6.7 million, according to the release.
Shuman Farms will exhibit at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure March 7-9, in Orlando, Fla., at booth No. 1101. The company is sponsoring the Produce for Kids’ reception at 5 p.m. March 8 at Southern Exposure.
