Vanguard Food Appoints Produce Industry Veteran Dwight Ferguson to Board of Managers; Charlie Sweat Comments

LIMA, PERU – Vanguard Food LP, a newly formed holding company anchored by Village Fresh Greenhouse Grown and backed by Sweat Equities and Kennedy Lewis Investment Management, announced the appointment of Dwight Ferguson to its Board of Managers. Ferguson brings more than three decades of senior leadership experience across the global fresh produce and perishable goods industries.

Ferguson has held multiple CEO roles at leading perishable product companies, including Naturipe Farms, LLC, Eurofresh, Inc., and Florimex International, BV. He began his career in sales management roles at Procter & Gamble and Pepsi-Cola, and entered the produce industry as Division Vice President for Chiquita Brands International. Most recently, Ferguson served as President and CEO of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, where he oversaw leadership development programs advancing the next generation of agricultural executives.

In addition to his executive leadership, Ferguson has been a respected figure in industry associations, serving as Chairman of the Produce Marketing Association (2020–2021) and currently as Immediate Past Chair of the Foundation for Fresh Produce. He holds a Master of Management degree from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

“I’m excited by the vision that Charlie and Vanguard’s stakeholders share in creating a premier branded CPG foods company supporting healthy lifestyles and sustainable farming practices,” said Ferguson. “Their timing could not be better for capitalizing on shifting consumer behavior that demands healthier alternatives to processed foods. I see tremendous opportunity for Vanguard to deliver value for all of its stakeholders as it expands its platform via growth strategies including product development and innovation.”

Charlie Sweat, Founder and Chairman of Sweat Equities and Chairman of Vanguard’s Board of Managers, commented in the recent release: “Dwight is a proven leader with a deep understanding of what it takes to scale high-performing perishable goods businesses. His track record, industry relationships, and strategic vision make him an exceptional addition to our Board as we accelerate Vanguard’s growth trajectory through disciplined execution and innovation.”