Retail perishables vet Scott Ruth has joined Spartan Stores as v.p. of fresh merchandising, to oversee the company's produce, floral, meat, seafood, deli, and bakery departments.

Ruth will report to Alan Hartline, s.v.p. of merchandising, Spartan said.

With extensive perishable merchandising experience, Ruth most recently was v.p. of foodservice 165-store Chandler, Ariz.-based Bashas' Supermarkets. Prior to that, he held management positions with MBA Poultry, Lunds & Byerly's, Big Y Foods, Meijer, Baker's, and Nash Finch.

"Scott is a well-rounded and knowledgeable executive with an extensive track record of food service and merchandising from some of the nation's leading retailers," said Dennis Eidson, president and c.o.o.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spartan Stores serves nearly 400 independents in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, and also owns and operates 84 retail supermarkets in Michigan, including Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, D&W Fresh Markets, and Felpausch Food Centers.