Ben B. Schwartz & Sons Strengthens Retail Focus with Cody Anderson Hire

 Ben B. Schwartz & Sons is bolstering its retail sales capabilities with the addition of Cody Anderson as national account manager, a move that also expands the company’s physical sales presence into Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Anderson joins the Detroit-based wholesale distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables following nearly a decade at SpartanNash, where he held a variety of sales and category management roles. 

In that position, he supported 150 stores and developed product programs designed to drive consistency and performance across the chain. His responsibilities included building product plans for 15 stores, using data-driven insights to determine optimal product mix, display strategies and pricing.

The experience provided Anderson with a broad understanding of the retail landscape, which he noted will be key in his new role.

“I was exposed to many facets of the retail business during my time at SpartanNash, including advertising, merchandising and program development,” he said. “This gives me a well-rounded view of everything that goes into retail, so I’m able to develop strong relationships with these customers and they can trust that I can support them with whatever they need.”

At Ben B., Anderson will focus on strengthening retailer partnerships by improving forecasting, managing long-term ordering strategies and responding quickly to unexpected product needs. He emphasized a collaborative approach in working with customers.

“I consider myself a partner, so I want to assist customers with whatever their needs are,” Anderson said. “What attracted me to Ben B. is how nimble the team is and how quickly they can react to customer requests. I plan to be an extension of that and, aside from the day-to-day flow of business, be able to step in if customers are unexpectedly in a pinch.”

The company said Anderson’s background in sourcing commodities and building structured retail programs will help streamline supply and create stronger, more responsive relationships with customers.

His hiring also aligns with Ben B.’s continued growth strategy, particularly in Michigan. By establishing a stronger presence in Grand Rapids, the company aims to deepen ties with retailers in the region and expand its footprint across the state.

Anderson sees significant opportunity in the market, pointing to Ben B.’s service-driven approach and operational flexibility as key differentiators.

“Ben B. has a reputation of delivering superior customer service and high-quality product, something I think Grand Rapids-based customers would welcome and what would set us apart from competitors,” he said. “It’s a family-run business that isn’t bogged down by complicated processes, allowing us to be responsive and attentive to customers in real-time.”

Company leadership echoed that sentiment, noting that the hire comes at a time of sustained expansion.

“Ben B. has undergone tremendous growth in the last few years. Our distribution footprint has expanded, and so has our sales team as a result,” said Jordan Grainger, vice president of sales & business development. “Our commitment to high-quality service is the bedrock of our business, so it’s important for us to have the support our customers need so they can get what they want, however they want it, when they want it. Cody is a great addition to help us grow our retail customer base and allows us to have boots on the ground on the other side of our home state of Michigan.”