obituary | WholeFoods Magazine

In Memoriam: Jill Daigneault, Sales, Bluebonnet Nutrition

July 1, 2021

[caption id="attachment_83459" align="alignright" width="292"] Jill Daigneault. Image courtesy of Bluebonnet Nutrition.[/caption] Bluebonnet Nutrition has announced the passing of Jill Daigneault, a valued member of the Bluebonnet sales team since 2018. Pat Hessler, Director of Sales, stated: “When Bob Barrows and I first met Jill during her interview, just over 3...

In Memoriam: Frank D'Amelio, CEO of Bio-Botanica

June 14, 2021

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

Huntington Station, NY—Frank D’Amelio, Sr., CEO of Bio-Botanica, passed away on June 11, 2021. D’Amelio and his wife Josephine founded the company in 1972, according to the company’s website, and together, the two brought Bio-Botanica to where it is today: with a 160,000 square-foot GMP certified manufacturing facility, four retail...

Industry Stalwart Jeffrey Van Hecke Passes Away

May 23, 2018

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

Dyer, IN — Long-time industry stalwart Jeffrey Van Hecke passed away suddenly on Monday, May 14 at the age of 52. Van Hecke spent 18 years as national sales manager of Yerba Prima until last year. Since then, he began his own venture with his business partner Peter Finkle called...

Specialty Food Innovator Andrew Balducci Passes at 92

March 30, 2018

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

Andrew Balducci, owner of the famous Balducci's specialty foods and produce market, died on March 22, 2018 at the age of 92 of acute leukemia. Born in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, to Maria Miscioscia and Louis Balducci, he spent his childhood in Corato, Italy, before emigrating back to the United States at the...

People News April 2018

March 20, 2018

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

Megan Olsen joined the Council for Responsible Nutrition as its new assistant general counsel based in Washington, D.C. She most recently held the position of special counsel for Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, she spent over two years as senior counsel at the Walgreen Co. Vitamin...

People News: January 2018

December 19, 2017

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

Christina Minardi was promoted to EVP of operations at Whole Foods Market, where she will co-lead the retailer’s integration with Amazon, reimagining the customer experience and driving ecommerce initiatives. She will also expand her responsibility for store and regional programs to four regions. Previously, Minardi oversaw 40 stores in three...

People News: August 2017

July 18, 2017

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

The Specialty Food Association (SFA), awarded five Lifetime Achievement Awards at their Annual Summer Fancy Food Show and inducted 25 new members into their Hall of Fame. Those awarded the Lifetime Achievement Awards included Harold and Lorie Alexander of Koppers Chocolate, Ted Koryn of Liberty Foods, Paul Saginaw and Ari...

In Memoriam: ABC's Fredi Kronenberg

April 25, 2017

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

American Botanical Council (ABC) has announced that one of their board members has passed away recently. “It is with deep sadness and respect that I share with you the news of the passing of Fredi Kronenberg, PhD, during the night of Wednesday/Thursday,” said ABC founder and executive director Mark Blumenthal.

Jack Challem: The Nutrition Reporter

April 19, 2017

Richard A. Passwater, Ph.D.

Perhaps you were a subscriber to Jack Challem’s informative Nutrition Reporter ™. And, maybe you attended some of his lectures. Or read some of his books and more than a thousand articles over the decades. Hopefully, you read our six interviews with Jack in Vitamin Connection. Jack’s writing and teachings...

Jack Challem, The Nutrition Reporter, Dies at 66

April 18, 2017

James Gormley

On April 13th, 2017, Jack Challem, bestselling author and beloved figure in the natural products industry, passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 66. Born May 29, 1950, he will be remembered for many contributions, including ushering in science-based nutrition reporting in the natural products...