Supplier Briefs 2012-04-01

Pat Callaghan plans to step down as president of Pepperidge Farm on July 31, after more than 30 years with the company. He will be succeeded by current Chief Strategy Officer Irene Chang Britt.

Alto-Shaam has appointed Michael Aguirre to the newly created position of vice president of sales & marketing for foodservice national accounts. He had previously been the Southern Region vice president of sales & marketing for the company.

Farmer Brothers Co. has named Michael Keown its new president/CEO, Keown comes from Dean Foods Co., where he served as president of indulgent brands for the company's WhiteWave Foods Co. unit. His responsibilities included WhiteWave's alternative channel business, which is made up mostly of foodservice.

Treehouse Foods, Inc., has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all the assets of refrigerated dressings/sauces maker Naturally Fresh, Inc.

Brokerage organization Advantage Waypoint LLC has added Mike Hamblin as director of national accounts.

Acosta Sales & Marketing has acquired Northeastern foodservice sales agency Venture Sales Group.

Middleby Corp. has acquired the assets of automated baking equipment manufacturer Turkington USA.

Vegetarian/vegan product manufacturer Redwood Wholefood Co. is launching a foodservice division. The company produces more than 50 animal-free food products under the Vegideli, Cheezly and Cheatin' brands.

Bake 'n Joy Foods, Inc., recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. The Andover, MA-based bakery item supplier is still owned by the Ogan family, now in its third generation.