SPRINGDALE, AR - If we all see fresh produce the way Tamra Barnes does, work will hold true joy and inspiration for years to come. That love of the industry is exactly what drew the Produce Manager for Harps Food Stores to Southeast Produce Council's 2026 STEP-UPP retail roster.

“What drew me to produce was having the ability to provide beautiful, fresh, clean, and safe produce to my community and give them many options to choose from. It is my canvas, and I’m the artist!” Tamra told me. “STEP-UPP has given me the tools and knowledge to bring back and share with not only my peers but my customers as well.”

It’s no secret that our industry is navigating an experience gap and working to ensure crucial inside knowledge is passed to tomorrow’s leaders. STEP-UPP’s in-depth program balances in-person relationship-building both with peers on the buy-side and SEPC members on the supply-side, along with online education between meetups.

“The education component of STEP-UPP has given me a better understanding of the produce industry and just how important every part of the process is from seed to table,” Tamra reflected. “Everyone has to work together to make it work. STEP-UPP has given me more confidence in my abilities as a produce manager. I have more knowledge and tools to make better decisions and lead not only my department more effectively but lead better outside of the department as well.”

I can easily picture the confidence boost of the understanding and partnerships cultivated by the program. When I got a brief glimpse joining the crew for their class dinner and facility tours in Miami this summer, I did not see a disjointed group of professionals—I saw a playful, familial group that was balancing a good time with curiosity. Looking back on the experience, I wondered if any particular lesson stood out for Tamra.

“I don’t think I can say just one lesson or one experience stuck with me more than the others,” she said. “No matter where we were or what we were doing that day, everyone went above and beyond to give us the best experience possible. Even though we may have forgotten a time or two! We did what we do best in produce: PIVOT. No day is ever the same, but it's what we do with it that makes a difference. I will say driving the tree shaker machine was a highlight of my day!”

Hearing that, I was definitely jealous and ready to see such a tour in action. I can promise it would absolutely leave a lasting impression on me and my future experiences with the category, too.

As graduation approaches at SEPC’s Southern Innovations, I certainly am ready to see what is next for Tamra on her produce journey.

“What’s next, you ask? I am currently working towards a Regional Supervisor position. But in the meantime, I am using all the resources I have learned during this program to help my peers be the best produce leaders they can be, while always continuing to improve myself,” she shared.

It’s the perfect next chapter for this up-and-coming industry advocate as she prepares to cross the stage in Nashville, Tennessee, in September.

SEATTLE, WA - I was wandering the Seattle Underground when I learned that the city’s first metropolitan area was almost completely leveled by fire in 1889. A story below: the streets and buildings of that chapter still stand, but above was the start of many new stories. For Erika Frayser and her family, it was the start of a business that has shaped and reshaped itself with the times.

Introducing me to Seattle-Tacoma Box Company, Erika tells a tale of flexibility, ingenuity, and adaptability. Today, she points to educating the consumer as the gateway to return on strategic sustainability.

“Understanding the value associated with the PP carton allows end users to glean a rebate from recycling the product. These cartons are in a large percentage of all grocery stores, distributors, and repackers across America, yet oftentimes buyers aren't aware of the cartons within the system,” she tells me from the Department of Operational Excellence. “It’s important for the produce department and those on the distribution end to have access to this information.”

As such, Erika shares that sharing resources and helping retailers and boots on the ground serving the end consumer is a key priority to closing the loop on recyclable packs falling into the trash.

“With a growing awareness by our customer base, we have been able to make introductions and have educational discussions with many of the end users that process these cartons through their system. Once we are in contact, we share an evaluation tool we built that is based on individual commodities and how many bales a given location would generate per month based on purchase volume. This is an eye-opening tool for many end users,” Erika explains. “We aren't simply claiming to have a recyclable product; we have done the work to establish a solution. We have a viable and growing recycling program that supports the entities within the supply chain with their circular goals.”

Erika is the latest generation of a family that has built a long-standing legacy on answering demand and closing gaps, first locally, then regionally, and now nationally. In discussing the journey to today’s sustainable offerings, she observes the necessary cycle to ensure the strength of the system.

“Sustainability takes the entire supply chain coming together towards a common goal of waste reduction. All cogs of the wheel need to be aware of their role and how to properly handle the product that they are processing. This product was built on providing a sustainable solution for wax corrugated cartons, while building the recycling program to support the product continues with the theme of solving customer challenges,” Erika concludes.

From a single Seattle warehouse to a national recycling program, the Nist family's answer to closing gaps has only strengthened with each generation. As we watch for the next exciting step, continue to follow AndNowUKnow.