Former Walmart exec named senior VP of produce for UNFI

Dorn Wenninger is the new senior vice president of produce for United Natural Foods Inc.

Wenninger comes to UNFI from Walmart Mexico, where he oversaw sourcing, buying and product development for the fresh departments for 2,400 stores as the vice president of perishables for the division, according to a news release.

Other roles Wenninger previously held include vice president of produce and floral and vice president of global food sourcing for Walmart U.S. He brings more than 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, operations and procurement.

“For UNFI and our retail customers, the produce department represents one of the most significant growth opportunity areas in the store,” Paul Green, president of fresh for UNFI, said in the release. “Dorn is an experienced, highly respected and well-connected leader who will not only advance our growth strategy through sourcing and merchandising efforts but also provide retailers the insights and strategies they need to build their produce business.”

Wenninger shared the news on his LinkedIn page and described some of what he looks forward to regarding his new role.

"I’m honored to join the UNFI team to bring fresh produce to the thousands of small and medium grocery stores in America," Wenninger wrote. "It’s going to be a lot of fun to bring the scale and efficiencies of UNFI’s world-class distribution network to allow thousands of small and medium sized retailers in the U.S. to enjoy the same benefits as their larger competitors.

"I’m also excited to partner with our grower-producer community throughout the Americas to allow their great produce to reach a more fragmented yet collectively very large and robust market of independent stores," Wenninger wrote. "Many of our customers' stores exhibit fabulous produce departments that represent the passion for food and attention to quality that could only be achieved at smaller scale ... You all know that feeling of walking into a great 'foodie' store and being inspired to make food from scratch!"