Village Fresh names VP of Innovation

February 2, 2026 — Village Fresh Greenhouse Grown BB #:263321 announced today the appointment of Helen L. Aquino as Vice President of Innovation, reinforcing the company’s focus on consumer relevance and customer-driven innovation.

Helen has been with Village Farms, now Village Fresh, since 2008, bringing more than 20 years of experience across agricultural research, brand strategy, product development, and controlled environment agriculture. During her tenure, she has contributed to varietal introductions, packaging innovation, category management, sustainability communications, and retail-focused go-to-market strategies.

In her new role, Helen will lead innovation strategy across varietal development, packaging, and positioning, working closely with seed partners, R&D, operations, and commercial teams to ensure greenhouse advancements translate into products that perform at retail.

“Innovation is critical to how we serve our customers and support their growth,” said Michael A. DeGiglio, CEO of Village Fresh Greenhouse Grown. “It allows us to stay ahead of consumer expectations and deliver products that are consistent, relevant, and easy to sell.”

“Understanding how consumer lifestyles continue to change helps guide our innovation,” said Aquino. “That insight drives better varieties, improved packaging, and clearer choices that reflect how people shop, cook, and eat.”

Prior to joining Village Farms, Aquino served as a Research Analyst with the Rutgers University Food Policy Institute.

About Village Fresh Greenhouse Grown

Village Fresh Greenhouse Grown is a grower and marketer of premium greenhouse-grown produce, including tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. With operations in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, Village Fresh supplies customers across the United States and Canada, serving retail, wholesale, and foodservice channels. The company is committed to consistent quality, innovation, sustainable growing practices, food safety, and strong customer relationships to meet the evolving needs of today’s produce marketplace.