Kingston Fresh has appointed Sandy Gatanio to the newly created position of product manager, specialty vegetables and berries. With over 35 years experience in fresh produce sales and marketing, Gatanio’s immediate focus will be on establishing these new categories and markets to add to the company’s expanding product lines.
Gatanio is the most recent appointment in what has been an active year for the company. “It is no secret that Kinsgton Fresh is in growth mode,” said president Ken Nabal. “We understand that a company is only as valuable as its team. Since 2011 we have been aggressive in adding fresh talent to what is already a very strong team of professionals. It’s all about meeting our customers’ growing needs.”
Gatanio said Kingston’s strong reputation in the produce industry for both product quality and customer service had made him immediately interested in the opportunity. “I am excited to join the team and utilise my industry knowledge and relationships to help further expansion plans,’ he stated.
Prior to joining Kingston Fresh, Gatanio held key sales and product management roles at other produce firms in Florida including Fru-Veg Marketing, Southern Specialties and Harvest Fresh International. Prior to moving to Florida in 2002 he worked for various companies on the Hunts Point Terminal Market in New York.
Nabal said: “Sandy has a broad wealth of knowledge as it relates to specialty vegetables like sugar snaps, snow peas, fresh beans and asparagus, but we are particularly excited in utilising his experience in berry programmes.
“Kingston has a growing imports division and these programmes fit perfectly in servicing our customer base.”
