B&G Foods, Inc. announced today that it has appointed Kenneth G. Romanzi as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, a newly created position, effective December 4, 2017.
Mr. Romanzi will serve on the Company’s executive management team, reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert C. Cantwell.
“After more than doubling the size of our business over the past two years, we believe now is an excellent time to supplement our already very strong executive management team with another highly talented executive,” said Mr. Cantwell. “Ken Romanzi is a proven leader with extensive experience in the food and beverage industry. We are very pleased to have Ken join our team. As Chief Operating Officer, Ken will have a broad range of responsibilities as we continue to execute our growth strategy.”
Most recently, Mr. Romanzi served as president, fresh foods at WhiteWave Foods Corp., from March 2016 to October 2017, where he led Earthbound Farm Organic. Prior to joining WhiteWave, Mr. Romanzi, served as senior vice president and chief operating officer, global brands of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. from 2013 to 2015, and as senior vice president and chief operating officer of Ocean Spray’s North American food and beverage business from 2004 to 2013.
Before that, Mr. Romanzi served as president, U.S. toys division of Hasbro Inc.; president and chief executive officer of Ultimate Juice Company, a premium juice company whose brands included the Naked Juice brand; and president and chief executive officer of Balducci’s Direct, a gourmet food catalog business. Mr. Romanzi also served in positions of increasing responsibility at Nabisco, Inc., including president of Nabisco Refrigerated Foods and senior vice president sales & distribution of Nabisco Biscuit Company, and served at Cadbury Schweppes, as vice president, marketing and strategic planning, North America. Mr. Romanzi began his career in marketing at Frito-Lay, Inc. Mr. Romanzi earned a bachelor of science in finance & accounting from Babson College.
“B&G Foods’ executive management team has done a tremendous job through the years transforming the Company from a small, regional pickles & peppers business to one of the leading public branded food companies in the nation,” said Mr. Romanzi. “I look forward to working with Bob and the entire team at B&G Foods to assist with the future growth of the Company.”
Source: B&G Foods, Inc.
Paine Schwartz Partners has closed on a Paine Schwartz Food Chain Fund VI, L.P. at $1.7 billion. The fund is aimed at investing in the food and agribusiness value chain. The company has invested about 40% of Fund VI in AgroFresh Solutions, Costa Group, Elemental Enzymes, HGS BioScience and Monterey Mushrooms.
After 26 years in Geneva, Switzerland, the decision to move has been made after visitor and exhibitor feedback, as well as growth plans for the Vitafoods brand. Vitafoods Europe 2025 will be held on 20-22 May 2025 at Fira Barcelona, with more details to be announced next year.
The traditional symbol of family reunion and cultural pastry of Asia is undergoing a reinvention. With the majority of young consumers in Asia expressing an increasing interest in healthier options, a growing market for mooncakes tailored to dietary preferences and restrictions is opening up across the globe.
