Mark Fingar

Erik Larsen is the Vice President of Operations for Ginsberg’s Foods. But his story extends far beyond the Ginsberg’s Foods service area.

Foodservice wasn’t always on Erik’s radar. In 2000, he graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. Erik had designs on becoming a veterinarian, but ultimately opted to enter the workforce and started his early career in animal nutrition.

In search of a new career path, Erik landed at Target Corporation, where he spent nine years in various management roles across Distribution Operations, Food Operations, and Retail Store Operations. Ultimately, he was tasked with managing the food operations of 75 Target stores across the Northeast. His position kept Erik auditing food safety across the Northeast. — a role that matters greatly in his work at Ginsberg’s.

Erik left Target to join Ginsberg’s Foods as the warehouse manager in charge of all warehouse and maintenance operations. Taking cues from his work at Target, Erik crafted the Ginsberg’s Foods Food Safety/HACCP Program from scratch, creating a framework that ensures the company remains in compliance with agency regulations and provides Ginsberg’s Foods customers with peace-of-mind knowing the food products they order are safe.

Erik’s significant contributions quickly earned him more responsibilities at Ginsberg’s. As the company’s Vice President of Operations, he’s in charge of the company’s Transportation, Warehousing, Facilities, Maintenance, and Food Safety divisions.

Erik is committed to his professional growth and proudly serves on the steering council at the Columbia-Greene Leadership Program to inspire new leaders across the Hudson Valley. As a member of the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) Planning Council, Erik plays an integral role in the industry’s development.

Work is far from Erik’s only passion. He’s the proud father of two boys and happily married to his wife Melissa of 16 years. He’s a hockey fan, playing in two different leagues and a coach of both his boys mountain bike teams. He’s also passionate about charitable giving and making a difference in his community.