United Fresh Produce Association logo

The United Fresh Produce Association has announced the hiring of Kate Olender as senior director of health and wellness, a new position created to provide leadership to nutrition and health programmes within the United Fresh Start Foundation and support the Association’s business programmes related to health and wellness.

Olender will provide strategic direction implementing the Foundation’s mission to increase children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables, while also supporting collaboration and fundraising within the industry and with public health partners and providing nutrition leadership in supporting association members in education, marketing, trade shows and other programmes.

“I am excited that Kate will be joining us on the United Fresh team,” said United Fresh president and CEO Tom Stenzel. “Kate has a great background supporting public health and community programmes, as well as building food and nutrition programmes with companies in the food industry.

'She brings great energy and passion to our Foundation team, joining director of programmes and partnerships Andrew Marshall as we seek to improve lives for kids with better access to fresh produce,' he added.

“I am thrilled to join the United Fresh Produce Association and support the industry’s good work in encouraging fruit and vegetable consumption among youth,” said Olender, who will begin work at United Fresh on 5 September. “I am eager to offer my experience working with children and our food system to United Fresh’s members and partners.”