Steve Barnard is President of Mission Produce, a company he started in 1983. Steve's involvement with PMA includes two year terms as Chairman of the Foodservice Division and the International Advisory Council, as well as service on the PMA Board and Executive Committee. He was the 2003/2004 Chairman of the Board and the 2004/2005 Chairman of the Executive Committee. Most recently, Steve served as the Chairman of the Board for the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent.

 

Fresh: Give us a brief description of your company.

SB: Mission Produce started as a California avocado packer, primarily selling FOB. Today we operate in five countries and have a nationwide distribution network that was built to support our Mission Ripe avocado program. The ripe program has helped double the demand for the avocado industry.

Fresh: Can you describe your company's products and services a little further?

SB: Our main business is ripe avocados, delivered, managed, supported and executed. As we built relationships around the world, and here at home, we have leveraged our position by expanding into asparagus and most recently an Ultra-High pressured fresh guacamole and avocado products. We are now focusing on logistics and distribution, utilizing our forward distribution centers, customer base and transportation department.

Fresh: How has your company evolved through the years to meet changing demands?

SB: As the avocado business has developed, Mission Produce has not only expanded our services to customers, through ripening, category management, promotion and distribution, but we have also been the leader in sourcing. Mission Produce was the first U.S. avocado packer to build an avocado packing house in Mexico over 25 years ago, and Mission Produce was the first company to import Chilean avocados to the U.S. back in the mid 1980's. We have now set up shop in Peru, as we prepare for the next avocado frontier to develop. The Peru connection led us into the asparagus business. We also have a joint venture in the avocado processing business with the J.R. Simplot Company.

Fresh: What role has human capital played in getting your company where it is today?

SB: Human capital is what separates the champions from the runner ups. We continually look for energetic, smart, personable employees to take us to the next level. People are the difference!

Fresh: How do you see the impending talent shortage affecting our industry?

SB: This business is not for everyone. The produce industry requires many hours, patience, energy and persistence as we move into the next generation of talent. Their requirements will be different than that of the last generations. We need to recruit to make sure we have good strong, talented people in the industry.

Fresh: Do you think we are facing a "people with talent" shortage or simply a "people" shortage?

SB: I think our true shortage will be a "People with Talent" shortage. As I mentioned this business requires a certain work ethic that not everyone desires. Those in the produce industry have a lot of competition (other industries) for the real strong talent.

Fresh: Does your company offer any type of training program(s)? If so, tell us about your program(s).

SB: Mission Produce offers internships, and has participated in the annual Job Fairs. Once an employee is hired, depending on the job, there is a training program, but it is mostly an "on the job training" with supervision, goals and a taste of the business. We also send employees to educational seminars as they climb the ladder.

Fresh: How do you feel that your company's contribution to PMA's Foundation for Industry Talent will help your company deal with this challenge?

SB: Mission Produce is committed to the betterment of the industry. Our feeling is that we need to recruit talent to the industry, whether they work for Mission Produce or not. The business is changing every day, and the type of person we need for the future is different than yesterday. As a contributor to the Foundation, we get a first look at the very talented young people that are sponsored by the Foundation. Again, people are what make the difference!