BRENTWOOD, MO - Matt Middleton will soon be lending his retail expertise to the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH). His appointment of Chairman to PBH’s Board was approved during a recent PBH Board of Trustees meeting, and he will be central to the overarching goal to break through to consumers and inspire healthy change.

Matt Middleton, Vice President of Retail Sales, Ventura Foods“I want to thank the PBH Board of Trustees as well as extend my sincere appreciation to my predecessor, Bil Goldfield of Dole Food Company, for his tremendous leadership of PBH during a tumultuous year,” said Matt Middleton, Vice President of Retail Sales at Ventura Foods. “I’m excited for what the future has in store for the new PBH—destined for greatness—and I am both humbled and honored for the opportunity to lead.”

According to a press release, PBH is a member-driven organization led by the decisions of its Executive Officers, as well as the commitment, monetary support, and leadership of the Board of Trustees.

Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Produce for Better Health“Matt Middleton has served as a trusted advisor on the Executive Committee since my start at PBH in 2017, and I am thrilled to have his leadership as Chairman of the Board,” said Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, President and CEO of PBH. “His dedication over the years has been invaluable. Matt is driven to grow PBH and the Have A Plant^® Movement, while also advancing the industry’s collective commitment to overall fruit and vegetable consumption in America.”

Matt Middleton has been named Chairman of the Board for Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH)

The 2021 PBH Executive Committee includes:

PBH 2021 Executive Committee Officers

• Bil Goldfield, Dole Food Company – Immediate Past Chairman
• Matt Middleton, Ventura Foods – Chairman of the Board
• CarrieAnn Arias, Naturipe Farms – Vice Chairman of the Board
• Desiree Olivero, Wakefern Food Corporation – Secretary and Treasurer

PBH 2021 At-Large Executive Committee Members

• Kimberely Challoner, Seneca Foods Corporation
• Brittni Furrow, Ahold USA
• Fernando Herrera, Sun-Maid Growers of California
• Leona Neill, Red Sun Farms
• Jason Osborn, The Wonderful Company
• Jeff Scramlin, HZPC
• Brianna Shales, Stemilt
• Milton Stokes, Bayer
• Nichole Towell, Duda Farm Fresh Foods

PBH also thanks those transitioning off the Executive Committee for their leadership and dedication during their term:

• Roger Pepperl, Stemilt (retired)
• Andrew Burchett, Bayer
• Garland Perkins, Oppy
• Teri Rose, Kroger (retired)

Another element of the January meeting was the discussion of the 2020–2022 PBH Strategic Plan, as well as a reviewing of the 2021 PBH Business Plan, which reinforces the PBH Strategic Plan.

Matt Middleton has served as a trusted advisor on the Executive Committee at the Produce for Better Health Foundation since 2017

Specifically, the 2020–2022 PBH Strategic Plan includes four pillars and corresponding 2021 priorities:

• Consumer and Behavioral Expertise – PBH will continue its commitment to translating research into compelling content that delivers actionable insights to various stakeholders, particularly with the launch of its State of the Plate: America’s Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Trends Report in late February. In 2021, PBH will also form a Scientific Advisory Council, which includes PBH Chief Food and Nutrition Scientist Dr. Taylor Wallace and PBH Chief Behavioral Scientist Dr. Jason Riis as well as other renowned experts, to inform PBH’s research platform; exchange behavioral insights; and amplify consumption solutions broadly
• Consumer and Influencer Engagement – PBH will continue to optimize its significant reach to ignite Millennials’ and Gen Z’s inherent desire to be advocates and mobilize them in extending the award-winning and consumer-facing Have A Plant Movement. PBH’s digital ecosystem will drive the Movement, and the PBH ambassador network further amplifies the Movement utilizing PBH’s KNOW-FEEL-DO™ Behavioral Framework. 2021 will again include PBH’s signature National Fruits & Veggies Month promotion in September, as well as a comprehensive public relations and media relations strategy to include both trade press and mainstream media. PBH is also well-positioned to respond to issues and provide much-needed context to millions of consumers through its digital ecosystem and ambassador network
• Convening Thought Leadership – PBH will maximize the power of its credible thought leadership, relationships, partnerships, and membership to bring stakeholders together with one purpose, one voice, and one call-to-action. This pillar is focused on elevating new fruit and vegetable consumption behaviors as a national priority (one purpose). PBH will also form a multi-sector Consumption Coalition (one voice) further galvanizing support for changing the approach to fruits and vegetables given the lack of new fruit and vegetable consumption behaviors. PBH plans to convene the first-ever National Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Summit in fall of 2022 and develop a multi-sector national action plan to advance America’s consumption of fruits and vegetables (one call-to-action)
• Operational Excellence – PBH remains committed to ensuring that PBH operates effectively and efficiently as well as demonstrates overall accountability and fiscal transparency to its members, partners, and supporters

An element of the January Board of Trustees meeting was the discussion of the 2020-2022 Produce for Better Health Foundation Strategic Plan, as well as a reviewing of the 2021 PBH Business Plan

"PBH’s Strategic Plan is big and aggressive, and it is exactly what is needed to break through to consumers and inspire behavior change. PBH is also providing the industry with valuable platforms to help Americans choose fruits and vegetables first,” said Middleton. “I strongly encourage the industry to get on board with supporting PBH and the Have A Plant Movement. The time is now to come together with one purpose and one collective voice.”

Congratulations to Matt Middleton on this new role! We look forward to hearing about more of your work.

Produce for Better Health Foundation