Showing Some Love for Produce: Attracting Fresh Talent

We talk a lot within our industry about how much we love produce—the growers, the brands, the products, the people. Part of “showing the love” now is making sure we share that enthusiasm with the next generation and invite them into the story. The produce industry is at an important crossroads, with many experienced professionals nearing retirement and a growing need to develop the next generation of leaders. Our client companies deeply value the strength, wisdom, and stability of their more seasoned team members, while also recognizing the importance of bringing in fresh talent and perspectives.

There’s a strong focus on attracting young people entering the workforce and offering the purpose, flexibility, growth, and culture they’re looking for. Companies are rethinking how they present career paths, work environments, and development opportunities to better align with what younger professionals value. As a whole, our industry has a lot to be proud of, and we should be ready—and eager—to clearly share why a young person should consider building a long-term, rewarding career in produce.

Here are seven key points to highlight when engaging the next generation of talent:

1. A Meaningful Impact

You’re helping feed people healthy, fresh food, and you can literally see the results in stores, restaurants, and communities. At the same time, you’re on the front line of big sustainability issues—soil health, water use, food waste, and carbon footprints—so it’s a way to make a real difference for the planet.

2. Exciting, Future-Focused Careers

The produce industry offers a wide range of career paths—farming, food safety, logistics, sales, marketing, data, and more. There’s a place for almost any interest or skill set, with plenty of room to move up quickly. It’s also increasingly tech-forward, using tools like drones, sensors, data dashboards, and e-commerce for fresh foods, making it a great fit for digital-native young people.

3. Global Connections and Community

The produce industry is both deeply global and tightly knit. You work across borders—imports, exports, and seasonal sourcing around the world—with chances to travel and collaborate with people from many cultures and markets. It’s ideal for those who enjoy languages, international business, and cultural exchange. It’s a very relationship-driven industry where you can build long-term networks, feel part of a strong local or regional community, and benefit from mentors who are genuinely invested in the next generation.

4. Never a Dull Moment

This life is fast-paced and never boring. Because produce is perishable, things move quickly. There are tight deadlines, last-minute changes, along with a constant need for problem-solving—perfect for people who hate monotony and enjoy a high-energy, always-changing work environment.

5. Enjoyable Lifestyle with Skills for Life

You can build a lifestyle you actually enjoy—whether that’s working outdoors in farms and growing regions or staying closer to the food side, engaging with cooking, nutrition, and products you’re proud to see in supermarkets and restaurants. Along the way, you build powerful, transferable skills: negotiation, customer service, supply chain and project management, data literacy, forecasting, teamwork, and leadership in fast-paced environments.

6. Rooted in Tradition and Growing Together

Many produce companies have deep roots, rich traditions, and great origin stories. They’re often multi-generational businesses where older leaders have a lot of wisdom to share, with many opportunities for them to learn from younger people’s fresh ideas, tech skills, and new perspectives. It’s a space where generations learn from each other and grow together.

7. Recession-Resilient Work

People need to eat no matter what the economy is doing, which means demand for fresh produce never really goes away. Individual companies or segments can feel ups and downs, but the industry as a whole is more stable than many “nice-to-have” sectors because fruits and vegetables are essentials, not luxuries. For young people, that can mean better job security, steady opportunities, and a career in a field that’s likely to be around—and hiring—for the long-term.

Fresh produce isn’t just a category on the shelf—it’s an essential, vibrant, and constantly evolving part of people’s lives. For young people who want purpose, growth, stability, and a chance to make a real difference, our industry has an incredible story to tell.

As companies, we need to keep telling that story clearly and often—in job descriptions, on our websites, at career fairs, on social media, and in conversations with schools and communities. When we highlight the impact, innovation, people, and opportunities that define the produce world, we’re not just filling jobs—we’re showing love for the industry that feeds us and inviting the next generation to love it too.

The talent is out there. The opportunity is here. Let’s keep showing love for produce and make sure the next wave of leaders knows just how rewarding it can be to grow their future in our industry.

Contributing Author

Julie Marcik

Julie Marcik leads the JOE Produce SearchSM team, leveraging more than 20 years of experience in executive search. Produce is not a job, it’s a lifestyle. Once you “check the boxes” on skills and experience, the real job becomes matching the people with the culture of the business and leadership. This takes time, expertise, and a robust process Julie and the JOE Produce SearchSM team know well. JOE Produce SearchSM is composed of experienced search consultants and produce professionals. Placements range from middle management to C-level positions throughout North America, covering a wide range of produce and produce-related businesses.

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