As we celebrate DMA Solutions’ 10 year anniversary in 2014, our team takes a look back on their fondest memories as working contributors in and advocates of the fresh produce industry. You won’t believe what Dan’l shares as her fondest memory in fresh produce. Read more to find out!

1. Experiencing Fresh Summit for the First Time

How could I forget the first time, I walked onto the Fresh Summit tradeshow floor for the first time in 2009. I thought I had died and gone to foodie heaven! Since I live in Seattle, fresh produce is abundant pretty much on a daily basis. But seeing the growers and leaders behind the industry really put my work as a designer into perspective. It was a moving experience to say the least!

— Cliff Thomas, Lead Graphic Designer

2. My First Trip to a California Farm

I’ll always remember my first business trip EVER to California to visit California Giant Berry Farms in Watsonville. I don’t come from a produce or agriculture background at all, so driving past all of the fields and walking out onto the strawberry fields for the first time blew me away. I’ve seen corn and cotton fields in Texas, but seeing the fresh berries growing and blooming made quite the impression. Touring the facilities and watching the entire field to shipping process in action brought me to value my food on a new level.

— Mackenzie Michel, Communications Specialist

3. Connecting with Consumers Online Everyday

As someone who is preparing to celebrate one year practicing social media marketing in and on behalf of companies within the fresh produce industry, an exciting memory of mine was when I first realized how much consumers really do care about the fresh produce brands that they buy! I am still in awe about the level of engagement that I have with consumers daily as they share not only their preferred produce brand choices on social media but also the creative ways they use the fresh products in their daily lives is such an inspiration!

— Baharan Kishi, Communications Coordinator

4. Giving Away Free Berries

I very fondly remember a warm San Francisco afternoon at AT&T Ballpark where I experienced firsthand the happiness created by fresh produce. I was supporting Cindy Jewell and California Giant Berry Farms’ “Giant Fans of Baseball” promotion by giving away clamshells of fresh strawberries prior to that evening’s Giants game. I’ve given out “freebies” before at tradeshows and other experiential marketing events, but never have I witnessed people’s faces light up as they did when handed a container of berries. There was also a lot of disbelief that something so fresh and so tantalizing could be so, well, FREE. The experience solidified my beliefs that I landed, serendipitously, in the industry I’m supposed to be in; that fresh produce IS “gift-worthy”; and that marketing fresh berries alongside a respected colleague like Cindy is especially rewarding.

— Brock Nemececk, Account Manager

5. Watching Dan’l Accept the Honor of “Woman in Produce”

I think my best memory was attending United Fresh in Dallas and witnessing Dan’l give her acceptance speech for the Woman in Produce. It wasn’t the first time I had heard her tell the story of her journey, but for some reason, being in a room full of her peers and seeing all of the people she has touched and affected throughout her career was one of the most memorable and inspiring moments of my career in fresh produce. The show was absolutely incredible and I loved soaking up aspects of how this industry changes lives and ultimately the world. I won’t ever forget it.

— Molly McGrath, Grapchic Designer

6. Industry Tradeshows are My Favorite

I’ll never forget the anticipation that the SUNSET® Produce team created surrounding their first SUNSET® Rocks party in Anaheim, California. It was so much fun being surprised when the entertainer showed up that evening and added a thrill to our already wonderful Fresh Summit experience. I also look forward to taking the trip to Monterey and Carmel each year for PMA Foodservice. Between the weather and the abundance of fresh food and flavors, I look forward to this jaunt from the Dallas heat each year!

— Marci Allen, Account Manager

7. Realizing Our Industry’s Impact on Kid’s Lives

I’ll always remember how emotionally moved I was in New Orleans during the first industry wide donation of Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools during United Fresh in 2011. Between the precious children telling their stories about trying new fruits and encouraging their friends to try different veggies during lunch time to realizing, “Oh my…we really are working each day to make a difference in people’s lives.” It was a moment in my career that I will not soon forget.

— Megan Zweig, Strategic Marketing Director

8. Meeting the Growers Behind the Products that we Promote

My best produce industry memory was attending United Fresh in 2012. At the time, I was very new to the industry and this was my very first trade show experience of any kind. As a graphic designer, I was in awe of the show floor and booth designs presented by the exhibiting companies. It was an amazing opportunity to meet the people behind the brands and to hear the stories from the growers and businesses present. Getting to snack on fresh produce bites all day long and sing karaoke with Dan’l at the after-party was a plus, too!

— Mike Johnson, Graphic Designer

9. Hanging with Growers, Bloggers and Chefs in Seattle

My favorite memory of the fresh produce industry is when I had the pleasure of attending a blogger event hosted by California Giant Berry and Stemilt in Seattle! Not only did I get to taste amazing foods featuring a few of my favorite fruits in appetizers, salads and savory bites, but I also had the opportunity to meet locally acclaimed chef Tom Douglas! I was food, I mean star struck for sure!

— Cassie Bales, Creative Designer

10. Dolly Parton Appears as Keynote at Industry Event

Having the sincere privilege of collecting memorable moments in the fresh produce industry for nineteen plus years, there is no possible way I could choose one or even twenty top memories (that’s not including the ones I forgot). One fact I know for sure is that my most memorable moment is yet to come …

— Dan’l Mackey Almy, CEO and President