The Packer’s Tom Karst recently visited with Nancy Tucker, vice president of the Produce Marketing Association.
Tucker announced at PMA’s virtual Fresh Summit in October that she is retiring at the end of the year.
She reflected on the breadth of her career, from working in both eduction and foodservice programs early on and then her later transition to international programs.
She said building the global influence of PMA was mainly a matter of intention.
“It’s going out to places, various trade shows and meetings throughout the world,” she said. “It’s being there, it’s showing up, it is building relationships around the world.”
Tucker said she appreciates the common qualities of produce people around the globe.
“The folks are smart, they work hard, they have a lot of fun and they are down to earth,” she said. “When you’re dealing with an industry that has so many things that are out of your control — weather, market fluctuations, and disruptions in logistics — I think it’s a little hard to be arrogant.”
While Tucker said she has loved her time at PMA, she is looking forward to “maybe” sleeping past 6 a.m.
“One thing I’m looking forward to is doing what I want to do when I want to do it.”
