Editor’s note: The following profile is from the 2025 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.
Steve May — Vice president of retail and wholesale sales, C&C Produce
Retail veteran Steve May likes family-owned businesses, regardless of what side of the till he’s on. Whether it’s going with his wife Christine to local Kansas City restaurants like the Pot Pie or Q39 for barbecue or working for organizations that are — or feel like — small family companies, the value of community and relationships with people is a theme for him.
“I just appreciate the business that I am in very much,” he says of his career. “It’s helped me grow as a person and has taken care my family for so many years. I’ve enjoyed the relationships that I’ve built over the years with growers, shippers, and customers. They have become more than that, they become family and friends to us now.”
What drew you to C&C Produce and kept you there ever since?
I was with Balls Foods for over 28 years. I wore a lot of hats at that time. I got a taste of the wholesale side when I was in warehouse operations/procurement for Balls Foods. I got a taste of sales by selling the local programs to many in Kansas City. I truly enjoyed that part of the job.
So, that drew me want to make a change. I contacted my good friend Joe Cali with C&C. We spoke on multiple occasions, as I did with other wholesalers, but chose to come to work with C&C because of my relationship with Joe, and I’ve never looked back.
What keeps me here now is that it’s family to me. I’ve been here for 10 years and truly enjoy the environment. We are now corporately owned by GS Foods out of California, but we still run as a small family-owned business where everyone is treated with respect and appreciated. Also, I enjoy the relationships that I’ve got with my customers and the community; they mean a lot to me. But more importantly, it’s fun. I enjoy coming to work every day doing the best job I can do.
Why is Midwest produce special? What makes it unique?
For starters, the product is grown hundreds of miles closer than the east and west coast growers. Midwest-grown results in a better taste, better quality. Farmers can offer varieties that are bred for taste and freshness rather than a long shelf life. The product is in the field today and in our warehouse tomorrow.
We support over 150 small family farms within a 300-mile radius of Kansas City. Approximately 80% of our growers are within 120 miles or less from our distribution center. Due to our geographic footprint, we are in the unique position to purchase and pick up directly from our growers, utilizing our refrigerated tractor trailers and straight trucks.
We’ve had relationships with many of our growers for 30-plus years. We feel that local food builds community. By getting to know the farmers who grow your food, you build understanding, trust and a connection to your neighbors and your environment.
Who is a leader or mentor who gave you great advice early in your career that you use today?
Too many to call out, but I will name out a few. The late Fred Ball was one. Fred was the owner of Balls Food Stores when I started there years ago. He taught me to treat your teammates as you would customers; respect them, appreciate them and be fair and honest. I believe those are wonderful life lessons for anyone in business.
My current mentor would be Joe Cali, the founder and president of C&C Produce. He has taught me to never say no and always be aggressive in what you’re doing. But, more importantly, he taught me to be passionate about your work and the people you surround yourself with.
My final mentors would be my mother and father. Both are very strong in faith and love for the community and others. They always taught me to respect others and help them whenever possible.
I hear you and your wife love finding neat places and sites around Kansas City. What’s a little-known gem non-locals miss but should check out?
We do like venturing to smaller cafés and restaurants within the city. We really like small family-owned restaurants. One of those that we really enjoy going to is the Pot Pie in Kansas City. My parents had the same mindset as well. They turned us on to the Pot Pie years ago and now we love going there for the food and friendship. Our two children, Bernie and Madeline, have taken the same level of interest in family-owned restaurants as well.
You cannot mention food in Kansas City without BBQ. One of our favorites that comes to mind is Q39 barbecue. It’s one of the best.
