Editor’s note: The following profile is from the 2024 Packer 25, our annual tribute to 25 leaders, innovators and agents of change across the fresh produce supply chain. (You can view all honorees here.) This feature has been edited for length and clarity.
Billy Augustine — President, All American Produce Co.
Billy Augustine’s roots in the fresh produce industry go deep. His grandfather founded a produce co-op more than 60 years ago in Vineland, N.J., and Augustine’s father began growing blueberries in Hammonton, N.J., in the early 1980s. He said this undoubtedly led him to his career in the fruit and vegetable industry.
Augustine founded his own farming operation in 2014 and added more commodities in 2020. After five years — with the help of local, loyal farmers — All American Produce now grows more than 25 items on more than 2,000 acres, he said.
All American Produce grows organic produce with an emphasis on sustainable and regenerative practices and incorporates high-tunnel production into traditional field-grown organic production.
What’s your favorite part of being in the fresh produce industry?
There are two things I love about this industry. One is seeing the fruits of our labor landing on shelves of major retailers throughout the country. There is no more satisfying feeling in all of this than to know the hard work, time and dedication — not only myself, but my family, employees and growers — put into this makes an impact by doing our part to feed the world.
The second thing I love about this industry is the opportunity to network with people all over the world. I’ve been fortunate to surround myself with some of the best growers around that have really given everything they’ve got to make All American Produce an up-and-coming company in the industry. It’s also very gratifying to know so many people in this industry who help me on a daily basis and contribute to my personal growth and knowledge within the greatest industry in the world.
What does the future hold for sustainability? Why is it important for All American Produce to utilize sustainable growing practices?
Our focus at All American has been the utilization and implementation of high-tunnel growing methods. With the climate and weather consistently affecting our harvest and yields, our high tunnels offer a unique, hybrid greenhouse approach that protects the crops and extends the season. Not only are we running more efficiently, but our yields and quality of product have greatly improved compared to that of in the field.
As we continue to expand with this approach, we are also leaning on more automation within the industry to try and cut down on the cost of labor and inputs. I tell my employees daily that the key to success in an industry that changes daily is diversification and efficiency to overcome any of the challenges put in front of us.
How do you promote and help inform the industry of the technological advances All American Produce Co. uses? Why is that important?
In the past couple of years, we have strived to make our presence known through social media. We hired a director of social media here at All American Produce, and she has really done magnificent things to tell our story as we continue to grow. We have a lot of innovative practices here at All American, and it is important for us to get that message to our customers and consumers so they know our dedication to not only giving consumers a healthy, top-quality product, but a safe one as well.
The most important message we strive to project here is how important it is to support the American farmer. Farming is the backbone of this country, and we need more emphasis on how important it is to keep the tradition going for the food security of this great nation. At All American, we also strive to help encourage and promote the next generation into a life and career in agriculture.
Every fall, we host our annual Augustine Family Golf Tournament at my family’s golf course, Vineyard Golf at White Lake, where we raise money to give to two local high school students continuing their college education in agriculture.
