Packer award winner known in KC for philanthropy
KANSAS CITY, MO. — When in comes to holiday traditions in Kansas City, the Plaza has its dazzling lights, but thousands of area residents have Dave Haun’s potatoes.
Haun, owner of Haun Potato Co., Lenexa, Kan., continues the annual tradition of donating tons of potatoes to the Salvation Army, with about 1.5 million pounds donated since his father, Dick “Spud” Haun began the tradition in 1982.
On Aug. 15, Dave Haun was recognized for his charitable work and service to the Midwest produce industry, receiving The Packer’s Jan Fleming Produce Legacy Award at the publication’s annual Midwest Produce Expo. Shannon Shuman, publisher of The Packer, said Haun’s father taught him the values that epitomize the Jan Fleming Award.
Fleming, whose family business, Strube Celery and Vegetable Co., is in Chicago, died after a battle with cancer in 2013. Since then the Fleming award recognizes people in the industry with strong values and industry and community contributions.
“As a young boy, today’s honoree — having been exposed to his Dad’s work — would learn the values that made him the award winner that he is today,” Shannon said, detailing the Haun family history from Germany, to potato growing in Idaho and finally to the Kansas City area, where Dick Haun opened the potato brokerage in 1965. He ran the company until 1990, handing the reins to Dave. Dick Haun died in 2016 at age 91.
Although sales was Dave Haun’s least favorite aspect of the business at one time, over the years it has become his favorite.
“The love of my relationships has bonded me to this industry,” Haun said. “I feel blessed to have spent my life working in the produce industry. Family, fellow workers, suppliers, and customers surround me with optimism for the future. I thank them all.
“My work ethic and my father’s was to always finish the job, have some fun along the way, and share the benefits with others,” he said. “I wish to thank The Packer for its support over many years, and knowing others will continue the legacy of keeping other less fortunate in mind,” Dave Haun said.
