How is the pandemic changing business operations?

We asked a handful of produce leaders, outside of wearing a mask or social distancing, has the coronavirus materially changed the way you do your job or run your business?

Doug Grant, Oppy (The Oppenheimer Group) BB #:116424

“While Oppy has always been disciplined in our processes, our experience during the pandemic prompts us to focus more directly on a few areas. Now more than ever, we recognize the value of cross-training and developing bench strength across our teams and enabling people to work productively in a virtual environment. Operationally, we’ll be even more diligent about thorough documentation and SOPs, and routinely practicing and refining business continuity plans.”

Harris Cutler, Race-West Company BB #:156704

“Our Race-West team has seized on this coronavirus pandemic to focus on taking care of our growers, transportation partners, and distributors first. After we take care of them, we’re helping our communities, food banks, high school teachers, hospital workers, nursing home staffs, city fire, police, and department of works employees, and post office employees.

This is a great time to give support and gifts of produce to show appreciation to our first line responders as well as others who serve in our communities. We’re also bringing fresh produce into our office to make it available to staff and to our neighbors who are concerned about going into stores. We’ve started a delivery service in the New York metro area where we deliver pallets of seasonal fresh produce directly to consumers to share in groups or in large families.”

Jan DeLyser, California Avocado Commission BB #:145028

“As a result of Covid-19, the way we’re connecting with each other, whether it be with our staff, agencies, customers, associations, family members outside our households, and others, has dramatically increased video conferencing and screen time. Whether it be via Zoom, Join Me, Google Hangout, FaceTime, or Microsoft Teams—screen time is up with ‘in-person’ time nonexistent.”

Image sources are either licensed or customer-provided.