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UNFI taps Walmex VP Dorn Wenninger to lead produce

Fresh foods veteran brings over 25 years of international experience

Russell Redman

February 1, 2021

2 Min Read
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After more than 10 years with Walmart and Walmart Mexico, Dorn Wenninger will oversee UNFI’s strategy and growth in the produce category.UNFI

Walmart Mexico executive Dorn Wenninger has joined United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) as senior vice president of produce.

UNFI said Monday that Wenninger will oversee the company’s strategy and expansion in the produce category. He reports to Paul Green, president of fresh at the Providence, R.I.-based grocery distributor.

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Wenninger (left) brings more than 25 years of experience in procurement, sales, marketing and operations at packaged foods and retail companies, UNFI noted. Most recently, he spent four-and-a-half years at Walmex as vice president of perishables. In that role, he direct sourcing, purchasing and product development for the fresh departments at 2,400 stores, as well as Walmart’s owned meat processing plants.

Before that, Wenninger served for four years as vice president of produce and floral at Walmart U.S. and, earlier, spent two years there as vice president of global food sourcing.

Wenninger came to Walmart in 2010 after holding positions of increasing responsibility at several companies across the United States, Europe, Central America and Asia. Between December 2000 and August 2010, he served as vice president of European business at berry produce Driscoll’s in London; vice president of international at Bronx, N.Y.-based fruit and vegetables wholesaler Katzman Produce; and then as corporate vice president of supply chain at stevia ingredient maker PureCircle in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Related:UNFI to see growth with unique mix of brands, services, says CEO Steve Spinner

In addition, Wenninger served as chairman of The Cobblestone Project, a nonprofit farm that provides fresh produce to local food banks, as well as on the board of directors at the Amigos de las Americas nonprofit organization. He also has been a member of the Fresh Produce Association board of directors.

“For UNFI and our retail customers, the produce department represents one of the most significant growth opportunity areas in the store,” Green said in a statement. “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.”

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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