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.
Davis Mochizuki — National director of produce, Albertsons
Davis Mochizuki has been an Albertsons associate for over 45 years, beginning his career in Southern California as a courtesy clerk for the Vons Division. After a stint bagging groceries, the produce manager asked if he would like to try produce. After that first eight-hour shift of working in the produce department, Mochizuki says he was hooked.
“Part of my desire to work in produce goes back to my childhood, as I recall my mother taking me to a local produce stand every week. Everyone that worked at the stand had worked there for years, and our family developed a deep relationship with all the employees,” he said. “I still remember the owner, Danny, who would educate me about produce, showing me how to pick the right watermelon, peach or cantaloupe, and always cutting fruit for me to eat as my mom shopped. The smell of a fresh produce stand is simply different, and I can still recall that aroma to this day. It reminds me of my childhood and all the good times I had shopping at that local stand.”
After working as a produce clerk, Mochizuki was given the opportunity to run his own department while still in college. He was later promoted to a field merchandiser, with responsibility for 20 stores and produce managers. With a desire to grow his career, Mochizuki moved to Northern California to pursue an opportunity.
He moved backstage to the corporate campus in Pleasanton and worked in various capacities including regional manager, category manager and produce regional director for the Northwest. After the Albertsons acquisition of Safeway in 2015, Mochizuki accepted a job offer at the Albertsons Corporate Campus in Boise, Idaho.
In his current role as a national director of produce, Mochizuki travels frequently, visiting seven divisions that fall under his responsibility. He says one of the most rewarding experiences of the job included building Albertsons Fresh Cut business into the operation it is today.
“It has been a fantastic opportunity to pass on my tribal knowledge to newer produce team members. In my expanded role, I help coach, train and develop our division teams, retail teams and provide guidance to our national team members,” he said. “It has been rewarding seeing others develop and expand their roles within the organization. Just as others helped me with my career, I try to encourage others that personal growth and development is limitless.”
Mochizuki and his wife enjoy camping in their RV with their three dogs and visiting national parks. They have four — soon to be six — grandchildren.
What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry?
The best advice I would give someone starting new to the produce industry is to seek out a mentor. An industry mentor can help you develop, grow professionally, achieve goals and provide advice on handling adverse situations. A mentor can help the mentee build self-confidence, self-esteem and offer career guidance and support. Mentors can help a mentee network and build their professional portfolio, introducing them to many of the important industry leaders. Mentors will be your biggest cheerleaders and advocates, encouraging others to pay attention to your budding career.
I’ve personally had a few important mentors in my career and would not be where I am today without the support and encouragement from them. They helped encourage and lift me up when I felt my career was at a standstill, pushing me to keep striving for success. Their support and words of encouragement were invaluable, and I owe them everything I’ve been able to accomplish to this point. They were not only career mentors, but life mentors as well.
What’s top of mind for you when it comes to produce?
Customers that purchase fresh produce are not only seeking out value, but also are looking for exceptional flavor and taste. Unless we provide that outstanding flavor and taste, we risk losing that customer’s purchase for the next two to three shopping trips. Produce is one of the main reasons a customer chooses to shop in a designated store, and if we don’t provide that exceptional eating experience, we risk not only losing that produce ring, but we also risk losing that entire basket.
Constantly seeking out the next big thing keeps us all up at night. Industry changers like Sumo mandarins, Cotton Candy grapes, Honeycrisp apples and SugarBee apples are just a few examples of how important flavor and taste are to customers. While retail pricing is top of mind, flavor and taste are right up there in importance to our customers. Growing fresh produce consumption should be at the top of every retailer’s mind. Offering fresh and healthier alternatives to sugary snacks is vital to living a healthier lifestyle.
What’s your favorite produce item and how do you like to enjoy it?
There are so many favorites that it’s tough to pick just one. I’d have to say that one of my favorites since childhood was enjoying an entire half of cantaloupe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the middle. Fresh fruit and ice cream together; you can never go wrong. It’s the best of both worlds.
