Gathering with produce pros can inspire ideas, build relationships and more

I was reading some Western history online when Russ T. Blade poked his head out from behind my screen. “Rusty,” as regular readers know, is the miniature, imaginary produce manager who lives in my desk and occasionally appears to talk shop.

Rusty: What’s so interesting about early explorers and frontiersmen that you’re pondering?

Me: Just fascinated with history. The early trappers in the West were remarkable. Real trailblazers. They remind me of something important in the produce industry today.

Rusty: You mean staying alive and surviving long odds? Produce can be a rough calling, you know.

Me: Good point, but no. Think about the trappers’ annual rendezvous; the first one was around July 1825 near what is now McKinnon, Wyo. Men such as William Ashley, James Beckwourth, Jedediah Smith, Jim Bridger and many others met each summer at predetermined points, following their long winters of solitude, trapping and exploration. Colorful, brave individuals that made a difference in forming our nation’s history.

Rusty: Uh, yeah. Again, a connection between fresh produce and beaver pelts in the early 19th century?

Me: Never mind about the beaver pelts. I’m thinking about how uniting with people of similar lifestyles and work experiences matter. Consider that you work long days, weeks and months on end and may think that there’s no one else out there that you can connect with, and then …

Rusty: I get it. I remember a good “rendezvous” — getting together for a district meeting. A good, all-day event with little breakout sessions, which were okay, I suppose. But meeting and getting to know everyone was the best part. All of us produce managers.

Me: I remember finishing the quarter-end inventory as a new assistant with my produce manager. Afterward we met up with a half-dozen or so other area produce managers for a cold libation or two.

That rendezvous was interesting. It was a fly-on-the-wall kind of experience for me as I listened to those old-timers, regaling each other with story after story about produce happenings in our chain, about how things used to be — both better and worse — and much more. They made me feel welcome, like I was part of the team.

Related: Read more insight from Armand Lobato

Rusty: Those get-togethers are important on so many levels: kinship, morale, catching up with everyone, but also realizing we’re all in this crazy produce boat together, forming or rekindling friendships. Sometimes you have a problem or idea that you think no one has considered or understands. The rendezvous can inspire solutions or ideas in how to deal with things you’re going through.

Me: That’s exactly how all my rendezvous experiences worked out for me through the years. You don’t see your colleagues and counterparts nearly often enough. So, I’ve learned to try to never to turn down the opportunity to meet and catch up. There’s nothing like in-person encounters in our relationship-based business to help keep conversations and creativity flowing.

Rusty: I only know about the quarter-end and a few meeting-type of gatherings, but yeah, I agree.

Me: In the Idaho potato business, there’s an exceptional end-of-August rendezvous held in Sun Valley, Idaho — the Idaho Growers and Shippers Association. For the past 15 years, I’ve had the opportunity to not only meet with my immediate counterparts and team, but also everyone who’s anyone in the business attends. I can read emails and reports all year long, but there’s nothing like sitting at a table with seasoned Idaho potato veterans.

I learn more in a single day in these meetings than anywhere else, listening to industry leaders speak, getting reacquainted with prominent growers, with transportation people, listening to agronomists, marketers and others who present views, updates and projections. It’s an investment and an immersion in industry education, and every year reveals new and rich perspectives, reflections and ideas.

Rusty: I’m awestruck. That sounds amazing.

Me: I don’t know of any other segments of the produce industry that hosts this kind of rendezvous, notably held as the storage season concludes while the new crop begins. I also appreciate the value from other industry events that I have been fortunate to attend throughout my career. Organizations such as the International Fresh Produce Association (formerly known as PMA), the Southeast Produce Council, and the Fresh Produce & Floral Council are great examples of industry focus and fellowship.

Rusty: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my own humble level of each produce rendezvous. I can relate.

Me: It’s been a privilege being even a small part at these produce events. And though I never want to take anything for granted, just like that first encounter with the old-timers — every produce rendezvous, at any level, is worth its weight in gold. Or beaver pelts.

Armand Lobato works for the Idaho Potato Commission. His 40 years of experience in the produce business span a range of foodservice and retail positions.