Securing the Future

Mastronardi believes the “industry is more dynamic than ever, changing daily depending on the customers’ needs.” Further, he sees this as a very exciting time for young people entering the industry, as creative “packaging and marketing are at the forefront of produce.”

For Gordon, some things never change—at least in education. “There has always been this debate,” he says, “in terms of what a university education is supposed to do.” A university education, he notes, is supposed to help students become better thinkers and gain life skills for their chosen path. The best result is achieving both, and securing a job offer before graduation.

Despite his success, Peter Snyder, Jr. warns that the industry isn’t for everyone. It certainly has plenty of excitement and fun—“It’s rock and roll,” he enthuses, referring to social events at conventions like the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit, but cautions, “this is a 24-hour-a-day industry. Either you can handle it or you can’t—but I think it’s great.”

Looking Ahead
Looking to secure generations down the line, Reid says, “We need to do a better job of advertising ourselves to younger generations from a very early age. From elementary school outreach programs to college majors, more people need to be exposed to what our industry does. Once you’re able to hook someone into the industry, they often never leave. The pace of the industry and the strong relationships,” she notes, “make it almost addicting.”

Gordon sees a solid understanding of international relations as being essential for agricultural leaders of tomorrow, while Meunier believes internships and co-op programs will help attract “the best and brightest” to the industry. Hutchinson’s top attributes include attention to detail, effective communication skills, and asking the right questions.

But perhaps most important for attracting millennials is accentuating the first two of the three Ps—people, planet, and profit—and making clear that all three can peacefully coexist.

While Silcott admits Gen Xers and Ys have been accused of being lazy and seeking instant gratification, they are eager to make a difference and have a positive impact on the world around them. Emphasizing these key attributes of the fresh produce industry will not only get younger generations interested, Silcott says, but they will be “excited to go to work.”

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