RANCHO CORDOVA, CA — Renaissance Food Group announced today that Don Ochoa has joined Renaissance Food Group as Vice President of Business Development. After more than 29 years with Safeway, Ochoa will oversee the integration of the premium quality Garden Highway brand of fresh cut produce and the Really Cool Foods brand of premium quality prepared foods into the retail perishable channel across the country.
“We are thrilled to have Don join our management team and look forward to utilizing his wealth of knowledge and experience in the retail perishable category,” said Jim Catchot, president of Renaissance Food Group. “Renaissance Food Group is well positioned to provide retailers with comprehensive solutions across the perishable category that will capture their customers’ fresh food meal purchases.”
In June, Renaissance Food Group and The Really Cool Food Company announced a merger which has created an expanded prepared foods line under four brands: Garden Highway; Really Cool Foods; Garden Highway – Chef Essentials; and Kitchen 1836.
“Our unique product offerings give us the ability to provide strategic and coordinated solutions across retailer perishable departments,” said Ochoa. “The combination of great-tasting quality food, regional production and national coverage will provide our retailers with multi level opportunities to grow their perishable food programs.”
Ochoa held several positions at Safeway including most recently serving as Produce Category Director where he was responsible for strategic plan development and implementation. His other positions included Category Manager of Commodities, Regional Director at Safeway Corporate Produce, and Director of Sales and Marketing with Safeway Corporate Floral.