Mar 29, 2005 9:24 AM, from staff and wire reports

SuperValu has formed a specialty produce distribution company, W Newell & Co, designed to meet the demands of retailers for higher quality, wider variety, and faster produce delivery. W Newell & Co will be a specialty distribution company dedicated to fresh produce and will be operated separately from SuperValu's full-line general distribution business. The company’s national headquarters will be based at a regional produce center under construction in Champaign IL.

Minneapolis MN-based SuperValu has tapped its vice-president of produce and produce industry veteran, Gary Gionnette, to head the new company as chief operating officer. He reports to David Boehnen, executive vice-president of SuperValu.