Bob Von Rohr retires from Sunny Valley International

(Photo and logo courtesy Sunny Valley International; graphic by Amelia Freidline)

Bob Von Rohr retired from his position as director of marketing and customer relations at Glassboro, N.J.-based Sunny Valley International, the culmination of more than 50 years in the produce industry.

Joining Sunny Valley 15 years ago, Von Rohr had transitioned from a 35-year career in supermarket and gourmet specialty retail operations and merchandising, including management roles with Genuardi’s Family Markets, Zagara’s Specialty Stores and Safeway.

“The experience he brought with him from his time in retail made him an invaluable asset,” Francisco Allende, Sunny Valley general manager, said in a news release. “We’ll certainly miss him and wish him the best in retirement.”

Tom Beaver, who joined Sunny Valley International in November as director of sales and marketing, will assume responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of sales and marketing. Beaver previously was director of marketing and development for New Jersey Department of Agriculture. Cecilia Allende, who has been with the company for seven years, will take on additional operations management and grower relations duties, according to the release.

Sunny Valley International is exclusive marketer of blueberries and stone fruit for the Jersey Fruit Cooperative, Larchmont Farms and Gala Farms, and also has an exclusive marketing agreement with Ridge Spring, S.C., stone fruit grower Dixie Belle. The company imports a full line of products including blueberries, table grapes, kiwifruit, pears and citrus.

Von Rohr intends to spend more time with his wife, Marilena, daughter, son-in-law and, in particular, his three grandsons, according to the release.

Related stories:

Summer outlook good for NJ peaches

It looks like a sweet summer for New Jersey

NJ ag department, independent auditors, help with food safety

 

Latest News

Industry alliance: European packaging rules raise trade and food safety concerns
Industry alliance: European packaging rules raise trade and food safety concerns

New packaging rules adopted by the European Parliament raise serious trade and food safety concerns, says the Alliance for Sustainable Packaging for Foods.

Consumers, retailers drive growth of new grape varieties
Consumers, retailers drive growth of new grape varieties

The world of table grapes has expanded exponentially from traditional red and green varieties to today’s plethora of cultivars with appearance, flavor and size characteristics.

CPMA president touts industry resiliency, global solutions to challenges
CPMA president touts industry resiliency, global solutions to challenges

In his State of the Fresh Produce Industry address, Ron Lemaire talked about the current political climate, the need for global sustainability goals and the need to focus on the consumer.

ShopRite and supermarkets to hold walk-up job fairs
ShopRite and supermarkets to hold walk-up job fairs

Wakefern Food Corp.'s supermarket banners, including ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market, are hosting hiring fairs on April 27 across several states.

Mushroom Council applauds WIC enhancements, offers recipe tips
Mushroom Council applauds WIC enhancements, offers recipe tips

The Mushroom Council is highlighting multiple ways families can incorporate fresh mushrooms and other WIC foods into daily meal plans.

Harris Teeter and Consalo Family Farms donate 48,000 pounds of mandarins
Harris Teeter and Consalo Family Farms donate 48,000 pounds of mandarins

More than 16,000 bags of Little Smoochies mandarins were donated through the "Mandarins Making a Difference" campaign, aiding local hunger relief efforts.