2022 Packer 25 — Ryan Fernandes
The 2022 Packer 25 is our annual tribute to 25 leaders, innovators and agents of change across the fresh produce supply chain. Each year, The Packer invites the produce industry to nominate distinguished veterans, leaders and rising stars of the fresh produce industry. As always, our editorial team was energized and awed by the talented pool of nominees this year. Now in its 18th year, The Packer is once again spotlighting 25 dynamic and inspiring people who are moving the produce industry forward.
The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Ryan Fernandes, produce manager, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets, Ontario, Canada
What do you do in your current role?
Fernandes: I’m the produce manager at Longo’s in Oakville, Ontario. I manage all aspects of the produce department from ordering to merchandising, as well as managing my team members.
How do you get your start in the produce industry? Did you envision landing where you did?
I started in the industry in 2015 as high school kid working part time as a produce clerk. I always found what we did in the produce department interesting — from the products we sold to how we merchandised them. But it wasn't until I moved to a different location where I [developed] a greater passion for produce and the industry itself.
My passion grew from the knowledge and constant training that came from two my greatest mentors: Denny Beltrano and Travis Stewart. From consistently learning from these two produce experts, I grew to an assistant produce manager in 2020 and a produce manager in 2022. I envisioned landing the role I have now as produce manager, but I did not envision being a produce manager at such a young age.
What's something that has surprised you about the produce industry?
Something that still surprises me to this day is how much the produce itself is expanding into so many more varieties. Growing up, I knew the basic apples and oranges, but working in the industry for eight years and learning about how many varieties there are of produce and how many more are still coming out is astonishing.
What are you most passionate about right now in your role?
In my current role, I am most passionate about the merchandising of my department. I am passionate about creating an ease of shopping in my department as well as creating theater that has a lasting impact on guests walking though the produce department.
What is the craziest fruit or vegetable you’ve ever encountered?
The craziest fruit I have ever encountered to this day is cherimoya. Mostly because it is so deceiving. It looks like a reptiles' egg from the outside and the most unappetizing piece of fruit you can find, but when you cut it open, it’s like eating vanilla custard. Cherimoya is my favorite fruit.
