Latest News From Women in Produce

The California Avocado Commission shared guidance to the next generation of women leaders in fresh produce at the IFPA Women’s Fresh Perspective Conference in Orlando, Fla.

We bet you'll learn something about Raina Nelson, the president and CEO of Westfalia Fruit USA, that you didn't know before and be inspired in the process.

Tamara Muruetagoiena shares what brought her to fresh produce, initiatives on her plate and what’s exciting her most when it comes to fresh produce and sustainability right now.

Martha Montoya is the CEO of Agtools Inc. in Orange, Calif.

Natalia Merienne is the president, CEO and sales director for Avocado Queen – Anye Produce. Learn what she did to change her career completely and start her produce business. Be inspired.

Pallavi Joyappa can’t sleep. While she was appointed president of the Union City, Calif.-based Emerald Packaging in late February of this year, it’s not her executive post that’s keeping her up at night.

"I joke that potatoes were my gateway drug to the fresh produce industry," says the president and owner of FullTilt Marketing in Minot, N.D.

"Do what you love. If you don’t love the job or the industry, then change." — Lilly Garcia, 2023 Women in Produce honoree.

As head of marketing, North America, for T&G Global Ltd., Cecilia Flores Paez spearheads consumer marketing for Jazz and Envy apples with an energy and enthusiasm that sparks produce consumption.

Actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, ag-tech executive Sonia Lo and fighter pilot Heather “Lucky” Penney are scheduled for the March 2023 event in Orlando, Fla.

The Packer’s 13th annual Women in Produce issue honors eight industry leaders, like Caitlin Tierney, who play pivotal roles in the success of their own organizations, as well as the produce industry.

The Packer’s 13th annual Women in Produce issue honors eight industry leaders, like Lauren Sweeney, who play pivotal roles in the success of their own organizations, as well as the produce industry.

The Packer’s 13th annual Women in Produce issue honors eight industry leaders, like Laura Strange, who play pivotal roles in the success of their own organizations, as well as the produce industry.

The Packer’s 13th annual Women in Produce issue honors eight industry leaders, like LeAnne Rhodes Ruzzamenti, who play pivotal roles in the success of their own organizations, as well as the produce industry.

The Packer’s 13th annual Women in Produce issue honors eight industry leaders, like Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, who play pivotal roles in the success of their own organizations, as well as the produce industry.

The Packer’s 13th annual Women in Produce issue honors eight industry leaders, like Amanda Keefer, who play pivotal roles in the success of their own organizations, as well as the produce industry as a whole.

The Packer’s 13th annual Women in Produce issue honors eight industry leaders, like Raquel Espinoza, who play pivotal roles in the success of their own organizations, as well as the produce industry as a whole.

The Packer’s 13th annual Women in Produce issue honors eight industry leaders, like Hollee Alexander, who play pivotal roles in the success of their own organizations, as well as the produce industry as a whole.

Episode 61 of the Tip of the Iceberg Podcast takes a turn toward a road less traveled and features a small farmer with a big digital presence: Liset Garcia of Sweet Girl Farms in Reedley, Calif.

The same courage that propelled Sarah Frey to build a thriving produce business is what ultimately compelled her to share with the world how she did it.

Rochelle Bohm has roots in New Zealand apple country but now is making a difference for fruit growers on the other side of the world.

Jennie Coleman, president and owner of Quebec-based Equifruit, believed in Fairtrade bananas before almost anyone else did.

Michele Youngquist’s approach to leading the business at Mount Vernon, Wash.-based Bay Baby Produce centers around taking care of her customers and taking care of her employees.

Charlotte Vick is an owning partner with parents Jerome and Diane Vick and brother Linwood Vick of Wilson, N.C.-based Vick Family Farms, which grows a variety of crops, including sweet potatoes, on more than 8,000 acres.

Brittany Lee is a prime example of someone entrenched in the produce industry far beyond her own family business.

Ask around about Angela Fraser, and you hear rave review after rave review.

Since graduating from college in 2014, Chelsea Consalo not only found her footing in her family business, she’s running at the front of the pack of young professionals in the fresh produce industry. 

Episode 44 of Tip of the Iceberg Podcast features an interview with Chelsea Consalo, vice president of produce operations for Consalo Family Farms.

Award-winning microbiologist Channah Rock is in the business of keeping our food safe. Fortunately for us, she loves her job.

Erica Renaud plays many roles, but her passion for organic agriculture and seed research is connected to every one of them.

Danyel O’Connor works at a for-profit company, but she’s on a mission to disrupt the grocery retail industry with her higher purpose.

A relentless curiosity drives Janis McIntosh, director of marketing innovation and sustainability for Salinas, Calif.-based Naturipe Farms.

Denise Junqueiro brings a eye for next steps to her role as director of marketing for Oxnard, Calif.-based Mission Produce.

In 2013, when Trish James started working at Produce for Kids, her children were young. Raising them brought up a lot of questions and need for support.

If you think accountants are boring, you haven’t met Julie DeWolf, director of marketing operations for Sunkist Growers Inc. in Valencia, Calif.

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Dive in, ask a lot of questions, and keep learning.” That is the advice that Sandra Aguilar would give women entering the produce business.

This once rough-around-the-edges industry was, for centuries, a man’s world. It would take a particularly tenacious individual to change the status quo. 

The Packer recently revealed its eight Women in Produce honorees for 2019, each of whom were profiled for a special section the newspaper.

Katiana Valdes is a self-confessed produce nerd.

Kathy Stephenson brings an enthusiasm for pears and pear growers to her role as the director of marketing communications for Pear Bureau Northwest.

Leslie Simmons hit the ground running when she joined the produce industry eight years ago.

With 11 years and counting at Wenatchee, Wash.-based tree fruit marketer Stemilt Growers, it is hard to imagine that Brianna Shales once didn’t know much about agriculture at all.

Born and raised on a potato farm in eastern Idaho, Britt Raybould is still close to her potato roots today.

Rena Montedoro has an aura of excitement and energy about her that makes you want to jump on board whatever she’s driving.

Just because you’re born into a family business doesn’t mean that’s what you’re going to do for a living.

To hear Julie Escobar describe her job is to understand the international scope of the produce industry.

To hear Julie Escobar describe her job is to understand the international scope of the produce industry.

Success in bakery opened the door to produce for Ruth McLennan, vice president of fresh produce and floral for Southeastern Grocers.

A passion for fair trade prompted Jessie Gunn to make her move several years ago from Harley Davidson to Wholesum Family Farms.

Kyla Oberman alludes to juggling when she describes what she enjoys about her work as a produce marketer.