Naturipe Farms has announced the appointment of Jill Overdorf as director of business development for Food Service. In this newly created role, Overdorf will be responsible for overseeing the expansion of Naturipe’s foodservice business for both fresh and value-added product lines.

Jill Overdorf“Jill’s’ passion for produce and her depth and breadth of culinary experience are the perfect combination to bring an invigorated focus to our foodservice offerings,” said Dwight Ferguson, president and chief executive officer of Naturipe Farms.

“With my culinary background, the opportunity to passionately share a full portfolio of our grower/owner’s products with menu developers, B&I, healthcare and leisure venues is a logical extension of Naturipe’s year- around availability,” Overdorf said.

After attending the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and graduating from the Culinary Institute of America with high honors, Overdorf is known in the culinary and produce industries as an enthusiastic advocate of fresh and flavorful ingredients. She has served on the PMA board of directors as well as PMA’s Center for Growing Talent board of directors. She is co-chair of this year’s PMA Foodservice Conference and is a board member of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council.

“Naturipe Farms is so well represented in the retail marketplace, it’s time for chefs to know our quality fruit is available as a consistent ingredient for their menus,” Overdorf added. “I am excited to be able to represent Naturipe in the Foodservice community, where I look forward to being able to share the story of our farmers.”