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Linda Bloomfield of The Fresh Careers Fair writes….

Happiness is a job in fresh produce

I have a question for you. Well two really. What was your dream job when you were little and how did you ‘fall into’ the fresh produce sector?

OK, so here’s mine to start things off. When I was 11 everyone laughed when I said in class that I wanted to be a kennel maid. I never did realise this ambition of course. Instead I fell into the fresh produce sector some three weeks after leaving University because I saw a job advert which I applied to and took because it offered me the opportunity to use my languages and to travel. I was sold. And subsequently hooked. That was 32 years ago. How about you?

I’m guessing that unless your family had a prior involvement in the industry, it’s quite likely that you also fell into your fresh produce career. I imagine that you didn’t hear about it at University. That you didn’t read about it in a careers guide. Or see it as a stand-out option at the careers fairs and milk rounds and recruitment agencies that you may have visited as you set out to seek employment and pay off your student debt. Perhaps it wasn’t even your first job. But I’d also bet that like me, once in, whatever your association with the business might be, you have decided to stay put. Possibly forever.

Falling in love with fruit

My friends laughed when they heard that I’d taken a job with a fresh fruit and vegetable magazine. And I can still raise a laugh when I mention the names of some of the events that I have to attend. They think I’m obsessed with fruit and veg, which of course I am. In writing about the sector, I grew to love it. And still do. This industry is special. It’s fast-paced, it’s innovative, it’s dynamic. It’s a sector with unlimited travel opportunity where long-lasting friendships are formed across the globe. It’s addictive, educational, ever-changing. It’s challenging but for the most part, fun. I feel very lucky to work in it. It’s true. You really can fall in love with fruit and veg.

Gain early access to talent

When we created The Fresh Careers Fair www.freshcareersfair.co.uk in 2016 our goal was to share our love for our sector. Many students had benefited from the successful programmes that we run annually at The London Produce Show and Conference and The New York Produce Show and Conference and we were keen to expand our involvement.

We wanted students to hear about the fresh produce industry at a stage when they are deciding which career path to take and to see it as a viable and exciting option. By engaging with students and their tutors at relevant colleges and universities we want to attract the best and brightest talent to our doors.

In championing the fresh produce cause, we found that related sectors were keen to join forces with us too. Next year we shall host our fourth Fresh Careers Fair at the Business Design Centre in London, a new venue which will enable us to grow the event further and cover a wider range of career opportunities. Our fresh produce exhibitors have now been joined by large contract caterers, retailers, hotel and restaurant groups, food and drink suppliers, service providers and others. This is a unique and specialised event for young people looking for a job in these crucial and vibrant sectors.

For 2019 we are hugely grateful to have the support of The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers as our headline sponsor. For the second year running their contribution will enable us to reach out and attract new young talent for our industry. This is an ambition furthered by the business internships offered through the Fruiterers Company together with sought after prizes for students who have obtained an outstanding level of achievement in the fields of horticulture and fruit. Joining them as a headline sponsor next year is The Fresh Produce Consortium, our FPC Business Partner for 2019, the voice of the UK industry and much-appreciated supporter of our efforts.

Our exhibitor roll call gives students access to the most forward-thinking businesses and graduate training schemes in our sector. Our line-up is supplemented by a roster of industry mentors who dedicate their time to talking to our student attendees about their particular field, motivating them with invaluable careers advice. We have a photographer on hand to take photos of our students for their future LinkedIn profiles and can provide transportation to get them to and from the show. We run competitions that they can enter, including one that sees the bravest of the brave coming face to face with our Fresh Produce and Foodservice Dragons, selected from the industry for their sheer scariness. Ha. It’s a fun and informative day and more than rewarding when we hear later from students in their new fresh produce careers.

Successful companies understand the importance of engaging with top-level talent at an early stage. A presence at The Fresh Careers Fair puts you front of mind, giving you the opportunity to showcase your company to the very best students.

Many of the young people who attend our event have only a vague idea about their future career, but they leave armed with a plethora of contacts and new ideas. Others might know which company they want to work for but often comment as they leave that they have discovered other interesting opportunities too. With its growing army of exhibitors and sponsors The Fresh Careers Fair can play an important role as an ambassador to students for the fresh produce and related sectors.

Why not join us as we present our industry to the future fresh produce work force?

Get involved

If you want to attract the right talent to your team please do consider joining us as an exhibitor or sponsor. Please feel free to contact me for further details as to how you can take part.

If you are a student or under 30 and unwilling to settle for anything less than career happiness please do register for free to attend our event on 13 March 2019!

www.freshcareersfair.co.uk
Linda Bloomfield
Linda.bloomfield@producebusinessuk.com
Tel: + 44 7711 509709

The author

Claire MacGillivray

Discussion

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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
1 day ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Commercial Manager Required for Probably the Most Exciting Fresh Sector Business There Is In The Market via Redfox Executive Selection…CLICK LINK - lnkd.in/erRiUgj5

#freshproduce #horticulture #CommercialManagement
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Commercial Manager Required for Probably the Most Exciting Fresh Sector Business There Is In The Market via Redfox Executive Selection…CLICK LINK - https://lnkd.in/erRiUgj5  #freshproduce #horticulture #commercialmanagement
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
4 days ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Smashing pic team!We think this is Red Campion Silene dioica...but please tell us if we are wrong! Captured by our Max MacGillivray on a beautiful Estate in Suffolk in the UK that has actively practiced regenerative agricultural for over 20 years - Rougham Estate.

Rougham Estate - www.roughamestate.com
Beanstalk Global - www.beanstalk.global

#farming #regenerativeagriculture #agriculture #sustainableagriculture
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Smashing pic team!
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
5 days ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Rain has assisted cropping in the UK. But the turbulence of the market sectors continues. Dial into the important Beanstalk.Global Broadcast with the AHDB on "How to Manage in a Crisis". CLICK THIS LINK - lnkd.in/eqKzft_G

AHDB - ahdb.org.uk/
Beanstalk Global - www.beanstalk.global

AHDB AHDB Beef and Lamb #agriculture #farming #agribusiness
... See MoreSee Less

Rain has assisted cropping in the UK. But the turbulence of the market sectors continues. Dial into the important Beanstalk.Global Broadcast with the AHDB on How to Manage in a Crisis. CLICK THIS LINK - https://lnkd.in/eqKzft_G  AHDB - https://ahdb.org.uk/
Beanstalk Global - www.beanstalk.global  AHDB AHDB Beef and Lamb #agriculture #farming #agribusiness
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
1 week ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

HR Director Required for one of the UK’s Leading Fresh Sector Businesses via Redfox Executive Selection LtdCLICK LINK TO FIND OUT MORE - lnkd.in/eizBwUjq

#hr #humanresourcesmanagement #humancapital #freshproduce #horticulture
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HR Director Required for one of the UK’s Leading Fresh Sector Businesses via Redfox Executive Selection LtdCLICK LINK TO FIND OUT MORE - https://lnkd.in/eizBwUjq  #hr #humanresourcesmanagement #humancapital #freshproduce #horticulture
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
1 week ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Another great upcoming Broadcast with the AHDB and Beanstalk Global. Dial in...we are 😀🚜😀Beanstalk.Global/AHDB Talking Leaders – “We Don’t All Fit in One Box!” Jamie Feilden & Jake Curtis from Jamie's Farm. CLICK LINK - lnkd.in/eYsuGvHj

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, an ongoing initiative from the AHDB - Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board which sees a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.

In our May broadcast, we have joining us Jamie Feiden & Jake Curtis: Co-CEO’s of Jamie’ Farm.

Jamie’s Farm supports vulnerable young people nationwide to thrive academically, socially and emotionally through a unique 5-day residential experience and follow-up programme. The programme is a blend of ‘Farming, Family, Therapy and Legacy’ where children take on real jobs with purpose, punctuated with therapeutic support.

Join us on Thursday 19th May at 11.00am BST to hear from Jamie and Jack and Mark Campbell from the AHDB by clicking this link - lnkd.in/eYsuGvHj

Jamie’s Farm – jamiesfarm.org.uk/
AHDB - ahdb.org.uk/
Beanstalk Global – www.beanstalk.global

#talkingleaders #farming #agriculture #agribusiness #freshproduce #agrileader Jamie's Farm AHDB
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Another great upcoming Broadcast with the AHDB and Beanstalk Global. Dial in...we are 😀🚜😀
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1 week ago
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Thats a great pic of a slightly vintage CLAAS combine!Lovely to see the Country Shows coming back so well with a great attendance at the South Suffolk Show held this weekend. We wonder how old this CLAAS is?! 😊🚜😊 ... See MoreSee Less

Thats a great pic of a slightly vintage CLAAS combine!
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
2 weeks ago
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Redfox Executive Selection is live to source a great FARM MANAGER for a beautiful Farm in East Suffolk - Great Lodge Farms. CLICK LINK TO VIEW - lnkd.in/e9ti4v5z

#farming #agriculture #agritech #agrifood #agribusiness #freshproduce #regenerativeagriculture
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PlayFarm Manager Required - East Suffolk
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Sign of the times indeed.... ... See MoreSee Less

Play
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
2 weeks ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Major role now live via Redfox Executive Selection - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REQUIRED. EXCELLENT SALARY/BONUS & LTIP. Click link to review - lnkd.in/eJMWA6KN

#horticulture #freshproduce #ceo #ceoleadership #protectedcropping #agritech
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Chief Executive Officer - Horticulture - Redfox Executive Selection Ltd.

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Chief Executive Officer Required Based Eastern Counties Excellent Salary/Bonus & LTIP Redfox Executive Selection is representing a very well regarded and highly thought of independent Fund Management ...
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This will be an important Broadcast to attend "How do we plan in a crisis?" ... See MoreSee Less

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A Dedicated Risk Management Broadcast for the Agricultural & Fresh Produce Sectors in Partnership with the AHDB. “How Can We Plan in a Crisis?” - Beanstalk Global

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Retail. Supplier. Grower. Collaboration is business critical - Beanstalk Global Broadcast series
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