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Publix Vice Presidents to Retire; New Vice President Announced

Publix Super Markets CEO Todd Jones announced the retirement of two officers and promotion of a new officer.

After 30 years of dedicated service, Vice President of Finance Gino DiGrazia will retire at the end of this year.

DiGrazia, 60, began his Publix career in 1992 as manager of business analysis and reporting in Lakeland, Fla. In 1997, he was promoted to director and to vice president & controller in 2002. In 2012, he was named vice president of finance.

“Gino’s dedication to helping our retail and support business units understand their operations has made us a better company,” said Jones. “He’s helped our managers make more informed decisions for three decades while sharing his knowledge and passion for finance with those around him. We are grateful for his years of dedicated service and wish him well in his retirement.”

DiGrazia and his wife, Kim, will remain in Apollo Beach, Fla., and are looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, and traveling.

With DiGrazia’s retirement, his areas of responsibility will be divided between Chris Mesa and Doug Stalbaum, both promoted earlier this year and currently serving as vice president & controller.

Additionally, after 28 years of dedicated service, Vice President of Benefits Administration and Assistant Secretary Linda Kane has announced her decision to retire Feb. 28, 2023.

Kane, 57, began her Publix career in 1994 as a treasury analyst in Lakeland. She was promoted to manager of business analysis in 1997 and director of benefits administration in 1998. In 2000, she was promoted to assistant secretary and to her current role in 2002.

“Linda’s passion for providing premier service and benefits to our associates for almost three decades has continued to help make Publix a great place to work,” said Jones. “She’s committed her career to providing a comprehensive and affordable benefits package for our associates and their families. We are grateful for her years of dedicated service and wish her well in her retirement.”

Kane and her husband, Patrick, will remain in Plant City, Fla., and are looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, while enjoying the beach and boating.

With Kane’s retirement, Publix is pleased to announce the promotion of Monica Allman to vice president of benefits administration.

Allman, 49, began her Publix career in 2001 as a project manager in benefits administration in Lakeland. After working in various capacities within that department, in 2004, she was promoted to manager of stock programs and to her current role of director of stock programs in 2012.

“Monica is a seasoned leader with extensive experience in stockholder services and associate benefit plans,” said Jones. “Her ability to collaborate across teams, along with her passion for modernizing and improving systems, will be instrumental as she continues to enhance the experience for our associates and stockholders. We are excited to see the contributions she’ll continue to make in her new role.”

Allman will continue to reside in Lithia, Fla.

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H-E-B in Texas Carrying unMEAT Plant-Based Luncheon Meat

H-E-B Supermarkets in Texas are carrying unMEAT plant-based luncheon meat. Recently launched in the United States, unMEAT Luncheon Meat offers a healthier, plant-based alternative to the canned meat that is a beloved snack for families around the world.

Available in two flavors – Luncheon Style Meat and Burger Style Luncheon Meat – unMEAT offers a guilt-free, non-GMO plant-based alternative with 30% fewer calories, 60% less sodium and zero sodium nitrites than its meat predecessor. Though Texas is a state that is known for loving its traditional meat, interest in plant-based alternatives is present across the state, with more than 1,500 restaurants that serve vegan and vegetarian options. unMEAT Luncheon Meat is a shelf-stable alternative that tastes like the original luncheon meat (without the unhealthy ingredients).

“The consumer and retailer response to the initial launch of our plant-based luncheon meat is strong, and we are excited to have unMEAT Luncheon Meat available in brick-and-mortar H-E-B Supermarkets,” says Gregory Banzon, Chief Operating Officer, Century Pacific Group, parent company of unMEAT. “Now, Texas residents can purchase unMEAT where they purchase their regular weekly groceries, making it even easier to incorporate plant-based proteins into their regular meals.”

In addition to H-E-B supermarkets, unMEAT Luncheon Meat is available via online retailers, GTFO, It’s Vegan! and Weee!, and at select stores throughout the United States. This increasing availability makes it an accessible option for flexitarians, vegetarians, vegans or those looking to add more plant-based foods in their diet. Additional national retailer availability is expected to roll out this fall. For more information and to find a retailer, visit https://meetunmeat.us/.

unMEAT’s product range includes meat-free Burger Patties, Ground Meat, Luncheon Meat, Sausages, Nuggets and fish-free Tunas. Made with 100% non-GMO, sustainably sourced clean ingredients, unMEAT offers taste and texture for no-sacrifices-necessary balanced meals. unMEAT is available via online retailers GTFO, It’s Vegan! and Weee!, along with select stores throughout the Midwest and east coast.

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PackIt, Kroger Expand Program With EcoFreeze Totes

PackIt has expanded its collaboration with The Kroger Co. to new store fronts and new regions of the United States.

“After successful pilot programs at multiple storefronts in the midwest and western United States, the PackIt Fresh Mobile Refrigeration Solution is now being implemented at Kroger stores across Atlanta and Nashville for the first time,” said Melissa Kieling, founder, PackIt. “We’re also seeing our solution entering additional stores in California and Arizona. Kroger clearly recognizes the improvement to product freshness and efficiencies gained by deploying our EcoFreeze totes into their retail operations.”

The Kroger banner, Ralph’s, recently launched its initiative allowing customers to pick up orders in as little as an hour. From a functional perspective, PackIt Fresh totes are now being utilized within their stores as a single staging vehicle to collect ambient, refrigerated & frozen items. This is the ultimate PackIt Fresh value proposition: product kept fresh,  collected in a single location and efficient processes to support customer needs.

The PackIt Fresh Mobile Refrigeration Solution creates efficiencies through every step of online grocery order fulfillment. The collapsible, freezable, reusable EcoFreeze Totes represent a seamless plug-in for retailers to meet growing storage, pickup and delivery demands. Each tote features patented EcoFreeze Technology: freezable gel built into the walls, that keeps perishables cold and food-safe for 15 hours.

PackIt, a Tenth Avenue Holdings, LLC brand, was established more than a decade ago with a singular mission: keep food safe and eliminate waste. The company’s breakthrough innovations in lunch bag cooling technology rapidly expanded into every viable consumer lifestyle segment. PackIt Fresh represents the commercial division with traction among grocers around the globe. EcoFreeze Totes was designed to meet growing online grocery order and meal-kit delivery service needs.

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