Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MISSION PRODUCE APPOINTS TONY SARSAM TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Oxnard, Calif. Aug. 3, 2023 Mission Produce, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVO) (Mission or the Company), a world leader
in sourcing, producing, and distributing fresh Hass avocados with additional offerings in mangos and blueberries, today announced the appointment of Tony Bashir Sarsam to its board of directors, effective August 14, 2023. Sarsam is appointed as
an independent Class I director, with a term expiring at the Companys 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In connection with this appointment, Mission Produces board of directors has increased the size of the board from eight to
nine directors.
Sarsam is a highly strategic executive with over thirty years of experience in the food industry, including extensive operational and
executive-level experience at numerous food distribution and retail companies. Since 2020, Sarsam has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SpartanNash (Nasdaq: SPTN), a $9.6 billion food solutions company with 17,500
Associates and a global supply chain network. Prior to joining SpartanNash, Sarsam held executive leadership positions at companies including Borden Dairy Company, Ready Pac Foods, Nestlé USA, Direct Store Delivery Company, Dreyers and
PepsiCo, where he built an impressive track record of driving record sales performance, leading organizational growth and transformation, and solving complex challenges with cross-functional business strategies. In addition to serving on the board
of SpartanNash and the SpartanNash Foundation, Sarsam holds board positions at three non-profit organizations, including the Food Marketing Institute, Arizona State University Foundation, and Business Leaders
for Michigan. He received a Master of Science in Management from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Arizona State University.
We are pleased to welcome Tony to our board of directors at an exciting time in our companys forty-year history, said Steve Barnard, CEO of
Mission Produce. As Mission Produce continues to focus on our long-term strategic priorities to diversify supply and expand our marketing and distribution network, I believe Tonys success in driving corporate performance and aligning
capabilities with established growth objectives can support our progress toward our business and financial goals. His deep understanding of various business functions including operations, supply chain, marketing, finance, sales, and
corporate strategy will provide our board and executive leadership team with invaluable insight and perspective.
I am thrilled to join
Mission Produces board of directors and contribute to the Companys position as a global leader in the avocado business, said Sarsam. There are many exciting opportunities for growth and innovation within the fresh produce
industry, and I look forward to supporting Mission Produces journey to build trust and transparency in the produce supply chain.