2022 Women in Produce — Lauren Sweeney
Jumping into the produce industry and the science of food at the same time would be daunting for anyone. Lauren Sweeney, vice president of marketing operations and commercial strategy at Apeel Sciences, was eager to work at a purpose-driven organization, though. So, she said, the learning opportunity was well worth it.
“Being part of an organization that is helping to reduce food waste and reimagine how we eat has been very fulfilling,” Sweeney said. “It’s opened my eyes to the nuances in the food system. As a consumer, I've developed a deep appreciation for the work that goes into every piece of fresh produce that goes into my shopping cart.”
Read other Women in Produce profiles here.
It has been a steep learning curve and she feels lucky to have been influenced by energetic, strategic and creative marketing and communications teams throughout her career. Before joining Apeel, she worked in the media and tourism industries in marketing and communications roles.
“My introduction to produce was with Apeel, working with our team, as well as our customers on the supply and retail side,” Sweeney said. “My growth has been inspired by my leaders and colleagues, who challenge me every day to think differently.”
She joined the industry in 2019, just at the beginning of a time of unprecedented challenges to meet consumer needs: the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, she said she’s seen incredible resilience in the produce industry, as well as an accelerated realization that things need to change.
“Consumers today are demanding more sustainable solutions, and I'm excited to play a role in meeting their needs,” Sweeney said.
In her role, she needed to learn the challenges and motivations of Apeel’s customers. That would allow her to make sure the company is meeting their needs. Its customers are looking to add shelf life and reduce waste.
“Apeel is a brand that believes time is precious,” Jason De Turris, senior vice president of marketing sciences at Apeel, said. “We work to create and manage more time for fresh produce. And Lauren is someone who wastes no time in the week.”
That has certainly played a role in her ability to simultaneously learn the business of produce and the science of extending shelf life.
“Because we look at every piece of fruit like a database, learning about the science and fresh produce really go hand in hand,” Sweeney said. “It's been fascinating to learn about the biological and physiological factors that make a piece of produce different from another. Then, there is the added complexity when you layer on things like seasonality, country of origin, etc."
Similar to the complexity in learning produce, science and technology presents numerous complex challenges.
“Our teams are developing new, advanced imaging technology to learn more about each piece of fruit than we've ever been able to easily understand before,” Sweeney said. “In addition, we are seeking to really understand the attributes that influence consumer behavior. For example, we validated that a deeper green lime is the top factor when consumers are picking limes at the store.”
The drive and ability to learn has served Sweeney well. Colleagues say it has served the company well also.
“She's been instrumental in helping build more efficiency and process into how we support our partners inside and outside of the company,” De Turris said. “She blends speed with care better than almost anyone. We are lucky to have her. Beyond that, she brings levity and genuine concern for her team together naturally.”
