EVERYWHERE, P.I. (PRODUCE INDUSTRY) - While my favorite color is green, my favorite flavor is blue—blueberries that is. If I could only eat one single fresh produce item for the rest of my days, it would be the little blue globes that I cannot seem to get enough of. My tastebuds seem to pivot and change on the regular—a common dynamic with today’s consumer, I’d say—but for today, blueberries are here to stay as a staple in my diet.
I found myself quite curious this morning as to what might grace the plates and paws of our friends in the fresh produce industry, and so I inquired with some of our go-to members out there: What is one fresh produce item that you could eat every day for the rest of your life and why?
Here are some of the thoughts they shared to take some fun in our Friday up a notch! Drumroll, please!
Dave Corsi, Vice President of Produce and Floral, Wegmans Food Markets
"That is a very difficult question to answer as I have many fruits that I love! Besides cherries, that are at the top on my list, but not available year-round, I absolutely love Calimyrna figs. I’d have one every day if they were available year-round!!"
Mike Roberts, Director of Produce Operations, Harps Food Stores
“How are you going to ask a neutral Produce Director such a question (wink, wink)?! Tomatoes for me! Because I can eat them in so many different ways! Salads, sandwiches, burgers, salsas, and even by themselves—you put them in front of me and I will eat ‘em.”
Jan DeLyser, Vice President Marketing, California Avocado Commission
“There are many fresh produce items that I could easily eat every day for the rest of my life. However, if limited to one fresh produce item…you know my answer, it’s no surprise, it would be California avocados. Their freshness, taste, nutritional value, as well as versatility of usage, take them to the top of my list.”
Nichole Towell, Senior Director of Marketing, Duda Farm Fresh Foods
"Well, I should say celery, (haha) but it would be cherries. And, if I could eat them every day, it might ruin my 'why,' but aside from being delicious when in season, they evoke memories from my childhood of summer vacation. Wouldn’t it be nice to be on summer vacation every day?"
Gene Harris, Senior Purchasing Manager, Denny's Corporation
"I am a produce lover of many tastes, but when it comes to the everyday produce item, I will take seedless watermelons. They are light, sweet, very refreshing, and good for you!"
Teri Miller, Senior Category Manager, The Fresh Market
“There are so many, but I would have to say bicolor corn! Corn has been my favorite since I was very young, but back in the dark ages, you could only get fresh corn during the summer. I couldn’t wait to go to the farm stand. They had the best, or at least that is what I remember. Several years ago, I ate it right off the stalk in Jason Turek’s field—BEST EVER! On the cob, creamed, fried, baked, it’s all YUMMY!”
Paul Kneeland, Executive Director of Fresh Operations, Gelson’s Markets
"While every day is a long time, I would have to say raspberries of course! Sweet like me (haha). They are great in ice cream, desserts, with cream, jam on bread, and by themselves. Oh, did I mention desserts?"
I would love to hear some of the other faves from our produce-passionate friends, so please, shoot us a note and we would love to share yours as well!
