Fresh Produce Association of the Americas President Lance Jungmeyer has presented the group’s Member of the Year Award to Matt Mandel from SunFed.
The award was given during the annual meeting of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas in early November.
The Member of the Year is nominated by FPAA members and is defined as someone who goes “above and beyond” in working for the betterment of the industry and its membership, according to a news release.
Mandel is vice president of finance and legal at SunFed.
“I’d like to dedicate this great honor to my peers at SunFed whose tireless work and flexibility have allowed me to dedicate time to working on behalf of the industry I love,” Mandel said in accepting the award. “I am humbled to walk in the shadows of giants and hope I can continue to contribute to making the FPAA stronger for future generations to come.”
Mandel has worked in the produce industry for 11 years and has served on the Arizona Governors Rural Business Development Advisory Council, the release said.
A past chairman of FPAA, Mandel currently sits on the International Fresh Produce Association’s Grower/Shipper Council and the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County Board of Directors.
Jungmeyer said industry peers cited Mandel’s willingness to mentor and support younger produce professionals and the way he has prioritized FPAA in his schedule.
“Matt sees trends, and he positions himself to contribute because he wants the best for his business, just like you want the best for your business,” Jungmeyer said in the release. “He figures, we’re all in this together, let’s roll up our sleeves.”
Jungmeyer said Mandel is a great communicator who is an important advocate for FPAA issues in Washington.
Some of Mandel’s other distinctions include the Rising Star Award awarded by the Produce News and the 40 under 40 Award from Produce Business, the release said.
Prior honorees of the FPAA Member of the Year Award include:
- 2020-21 — “The Essential Worker”
- 2019-20 — Jose Antonio Martinez of Divine Flavor
- 2018-19 — Jimmy Mungia of Del Campo Supreme
- 2017-18 — Bobby Bennen Jr. & Gerado Ritz
- 2016-17 — Chris Ciruli of Ciruli Brothers
- 2015-16 — Sabrina Hallman of Sierra Seed Company
- 2014-15 — Scott Vandervoet of Vandervoet & Associates
