Retaaza names first executive leader as it prepares to scale

Retaaza has hired Paul Clements as head of strategy and growth, its first executive leadership appointment beyond founder and CEO Kashi Sehgal. The Atlanta-based food company says the move supports expansion of its Georgia farm-to-market model, which has already connected more than 70 farms with new buyers and communities.

Why it matters: - Retaaza is moving from proving its model to scaling it. - The hire gives the Georgia food company dedicated executive leadership as it looks to expand locally grown food access, farm partnerships and distribution. - The move could widen Retaaza’s reach across Georgia and beyond while keeping its focus on farmers, food access and waste reduction.

What happened: - Retaaza named Paul Clements as head of strategy and growth. - The appointment is Retaaza’s first executive leadership hire beyond founder and CEO Kashi Sehgal. - The company announced the hire on July 30, 2026, in Atlanta. - Retaaza said the appointment marks a milestone as the company prepares for its next phase of growth.

The details: - Retaaza connects Georgia farmers with new markets through wholesale distribution, mixed produce box programs, employee wellness initiatives, Farm Fresh Markets, healthcare partnerships, strategy and advisory services, and community food access programs. - The company supplies fresh produce to businesses and organizations. - Retaaza operates MARTA Markets at transit stations across metro Atlanta. - Retaaza recently expanded the DeKalb Farm Fresh Mobile Market with DeKalb County to bring affordable Georgia-grown food into neighborhoods with limited access to fresh produce. - Since 2020, Retaaza has partnered with more than 70 farms across 37 Georgia counties. - Retaaza has rescued and purchased more than 1.7 million pounds of locally grown produce. - Retaaza has donated more than 1.3 million pounds of fresh food. - Retaaza says its work has prevented nearly 2 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. - Clements brings more than two decades of experience in agriculture, food retail, nonprofit innovation, food recovery and strategic partnerships. - Before joining Retaaza, Clements led Second Helpings Atlanta as executive director. - At Second Helpings Atlanta, Clements strengthened the organization’s financial position, expanded regional partnerships and modernized operations. - Clements also worked with Retaaza on Field to Fork, an initiative that expanded access to Georgia farmers for communities experiencing food insecurity. - Before that, Clements spent 10 years at Whole Foods Market leading corporate social responsibility efforts in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. - One Whole Foods initiative, Nourishing Our Neighborhoods, diverted nearly 30 million pounds of surplus food from landfills while increasing access to nutritious food across North America. - Sehgal said the hire is an investment in the company’s future and the food system Retaaza is building. - Clements said the goal is to build a system where farmers, communities and businesses all succeed together.

Between the lines: - The hire suggests Retaaza is shifting from a founder-led growth stage to a more formal leadership structure. - Clements’ background spans food recovery, retail and nonprofit partnerships, which fits a business built around both commercial sales and social impact. - The combination of market expansion and food-access programming points to a dual strategy: grow revenue while deepening community impact.

What's next: - Retaaza plans to use Clements’ leadership to build new partnerships and open new markets. - The company expects to expand its model beyond Georgia. - Retaaza said it will keep working to move more locally grown food to more people while strengthening farmers and communities.

The bottom line: - Retaaza is betting that experienced leadership will help turn a proven Georgia food-access model into a larger regional business.