Weekend Interview Quote Match: Answers

We hope you enjoyed this bit of fun to celebrate our Weekend Interview series, the transition of Blueprints from print to digital, and Blue Book reaching an extraordinary 125 years of service.

Let’s see how well you did: if you got them all right, you’re beyond amazing and likely an emperor of networking or perhaps you’ve worked at an executive search firm.

For 8 out of 10, a significant achievement as well, top notch; for 6 or 7, you’re on the right track but need to read more Blueprints articles; if you only got half or less correct, then you need a deep dive into all of our Weekend Interviews as well as our features, columns, and Blue Book’s daily news coverage from The Produce Reporter.

Without further ado, the answers are in both of the sections below: with the quote number next to the name and the name after the quote. Be sure to read the full interviews, then try to find these amazing folks at the next trade show!

Weekend Interviewees in alphabetical order by first name:

• Alexandra DeSorbo-Quinn, Pilot Light — #4
• Amy Gates, Silo Technologies, Inc. — #1
• Beth Alger, Berry Blue, LLC/MBG Marketing — #8
• Bill Duesenberg, Aldi USA — #9
• Bill Loupeé, Ben B. Schwartz & Sons, Inc. — #6
• David Smith, Oppy — #3
• Jennie Coleman, Equifruit Inc. — #2
• Steve Roosdahl, BCfresh — #10
• Tom Pierce, Sobeys Inc. — #5
• Tracie Levin, M. Levin & Company, Inc. — #7

Quotes in no particular order:

1) It was the kind of experience that pushed me to grow as a leader and expanded my understanding of what the future of fresh produce could look like on an international stage. — Amy Gates, Silo Technologies

2) We espouse compassion, creativity, and commitment to change. I try to model these values by sticking to a few guiding mantras, including: “don’t work with jerks,” “refuse to be ignored,” and my favorite: “Si se puede,” which means “We can do it!”  — Jennie Coleman, Equifruit Inc.

3) I’d like to think I have some influence on this responsive architecture; however, it’s more about creating a problem-solving environment that allows for complex critical thinking skills to flourish within your team.  — David Smith, Oppy

4) It’s one thing to read and understand a nutrition facts label; it’s another to grasp how food shapes your life, your relationships, and the broader world around you. — Alexandra DeSorbo-Quinn, Pilot Light

5) We’re not just trying to buy produce, we’re trying to deliver a consistent, great eating experience. That’s what builds loyalty. That’s what keeps people coming back. —Tom Pierce, Sobeys Inc.

6) We help retailers and restaurants focus on what they do best—selling food to consumers—and give them the agility they need to keep their businesses humming. — Bill Loupeé, Ben B. Schwartz & Sons, Inc.

7) The most difficult thing is trying to define the line of a good work/life balance. Working in a family business means seeing your family and working with them both in and outside of work. — Tracie Levin, M. Levin & Company, Inc.

8) Success is defined by a combination of characteristics: yield, taste, shelf life, disease resistance, and adaptability to climate. The ratio of success to failure is steep. — Beth Alger, Berry Blue/MBG Marketing

9) With just 120 produce SKUs in our stores year-round, we keep a lean produce section that punches well above its weight.  — Bill Duesenberg, Aldi USA

10) Our decentralized model is key to our efficiency—our growers are responsible for packing product on order to meet customer specifications. — Steve Roosdahl, BCfresh

Thanks for joining the fun!