Erin Mittelstaedt, CEO for The FruitGuys, developed a deep-rooted passion for the produce industry over two decades ago at Trader Joe’s, where she fell in love with the operational side of food and the meaningful conversations that happen over a crate of fresh fruit.
In 2007, she brought that expertise to The FruitGuys, a company founded by her brother nearly 30 years ago to replace office junk food with fresh, farm-grown alternatives. Having spent 19 years working across every financial and operational corner of the business before becoming CEO in 2023, Mittelstaedt has never lost the sense of wonder she felt during her very first farm visit.
She views her role not just as a corporate leader but rather as a bridge between the hardworking farmers who feed the country and the offices and schools striving for better wellness. For Mittelstaedt, the work remains as personal today as it was during her early days on the store floor.
“I still remember how excited I was the first time I visited one of the farms I was buying from,” she says. “It felt like becoming part of a secret club — getting to see firsthand how fresh produce travels from the field into people’s kitchens. I love being part of a business that supports the important work of growing food and brings joy to others.”
This commitment to transparency and joy continues to define her leadership as she guides The FruitGuys into its next chapter of growth and community impact.
The Packer: What do you think sets you apart from others in the field, and how do you continuously work to elevate your contributions to the produce industry?
Mittelstaedt: There are so many amazing women in the produce industry that I hesitate to say I stand apart from them personally. My approach is to stay focused on people and the impact our work has on them. Whether it’s our employees, farmers or clients, I want to make sure we are being a good partner while also executing well.
As a company, we continue to push ourselves to celebrate and support farms in tangible ways. Whether that means paying our farmers quickly or providing microgrants through The FruitGuys Community Fund, we never lose sight of the fact that we are nothing without the farmers who grow amazing produce and the people who enjoy it. Supporting family farms across U.S. is core to who we are, and I’m always looking for ways to strengthen that impact.
Have you had any female mentors or role models who helped shape your journey?
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some amazing women in the industry over the years, and many of them have shaped my journey. Early on in my time at The FruitGuys, we worked with Strube Celery & Vegetable in Chicago, and I had the pleasure of meeting Jan Fleming. Jan started as a clerk in her family’s business, moved into sales and eventually became CEO. She was also a leader in the broader produce industry.
She was the first female executive I met in produce; almost everyone else I worked with at the time was a man. We also worked with Frieda’s, and although I only met Frieda Rapoport Caplan once or twice, I had the pleasure of working with her daughters, who were leading Frieda’s at the time. Seeing women like these, many of them balancing parenting, leadership and the demands of running a business while still being fully themselves, has been incredibly inspiring.
They showed me that strong leadership does not have to look one certain way.
As a leader of a mission-driven company, how do you ensure that the small-farm ethos remains intact as the company scales nationally?
For us, keeping the small-farm ethos intact is not just about sourcing strategy; it is about preserving relationships, honoring the people growing the food and making sure growth does not come at the expense of mission.
First and foremost, we track and regularly review where we are buying from. We look at the farms we are currently working with, how long we have worked with them — in many cases, more than 15 years — and the size of those operations. We ask ourselves whether we are being a good partner to them and where we can improve.
We also look for opportunities to bring smaller farms into our purchasing mix. A few years ago, we launched the Farm Fit Program, which connects farms that may be too small for our regular daily business with opportunities that are a better fit, particularly in foodservice. In addition, we deliver from 11 locations nationwide, which helps us stay connected to local produce when in season.
Fun Question: What is the one fruit that is an absolute must-have in your personal office snack bowl to get you through a long day?
I can’t possibly pick one, maybe one per season. This time of year, I’m enjoying all of the end-of-season citrus, especially Ojai Pixie tangerines. As we move into summer, I love berries, blueberries especially, as well as white nectarines and peaches — sometimes I don’t wait for the nectarines to ripen before I eat them. In the fall, Asian pears and d’anjous are my must-haves, and then early winter, I can’t wait for the kishus to appear.
Learn more about The Packer’s 2026 Women in Produce honorees:
- Beth Atkinson-Keeton — owner, Elephant House PR
- Hilary Craig — director of produce category management, Misfits Market
- Brenda Haught — co-CEO, Creekside Organics
- Danelle Huber — senior marketing manager, CMI Orchards
- Gwen Jackimek — senior director of sales, avocados, Fresh Del Monte; chair, Hass Avocado Board
- Bianca Kaprielian — co-CEO, Creekside Organics
- Dina Newman — founder, KC Black Urban Growers
- Jonna Parker — vice president of fresh foods group, Circana
