Jan Berk, chief operating officer of San Miguel Produce, Inc., will be the honoree and featured speaker of the Women in Produce Breakfast General Session on Wednesday, June 12, at United Fresh 2019 Convention & Expo in Chicago, as the traditional reception elevates to a breakfast, allowing more industry professionals to attend and be inspired.
Jan Berk-The celebration of Women in Produce, held each year, recognizes the contributions of all women working in the produce industry, and selects one individual to share her personal experience of service. The featured speaker is selected from nominations submitted by United Fresh members across the industry. Nominations are evaluated by a committee of past honorees and United Fresh officers based on the candidate’s involvement in the industry, contributions to the industry, and inspiration for others working in the industry.
“For more than 20 years, our Women in Produce honorees have always provided an inspiring look into successful pathways in our industry,” said Tom Stenzel, president and CEO of United Fresh. “Jan has such a rich career and personal story to share with our attendees that I know she will inspire yet another generation of produce leaders.”
Berk joined San Miguel Produce full-time in 2002 and initially focused much of her efforts on sales, marketing and re-branding, growing their value-added product line, Cut ‘N Clean Greens. Nearly 25 years ago, Cut ‘N Clean Greens was launched as the first specialty, dark leafy greens on the market. Today, it has become one of the leading brands of specialty greens in North America, offering the most varieties of organic and conventional bulk and fresh-cut greens.
Berk became a partner at San Miguel Produce in 2006 with founder Roy Nishimori and expanded her role to include oversight of the company operations as COO. As a growing family owned company, she and Nishimori have made it a priority to create and sustain a fully integrated food safe and quality-of-life work culture throughout the company.
Berk has served on a variety of agriculture and community boards and organizations, some of which include: chair of United Fresh’s Fresh-Cut Board; a member of the United Fresh Executive Committee and board of directors; and Ventura County Farm Bureau board member. Berk currently serves on the Farm Credit West’s Local Advisory Committee and as vice-chair for the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement.
Berk will join a distinguished group of women including:
* Dan’l Mackey Almy, DMA Solutions Inc.
* Tonya Antle, Organic Produce Network
* Frieda Rapoport Caplan, Frieda’s Inc.
* Karen Caplan, Frieda’s Inc.
* Margaret D’Arrigo Martin, Margaret Inc.
* Jan DeLyser, California Avocado Commission
* Lorelei, DiSogra, United Fresh Produce Association
* Jan Fleming, Strube Celery & Vegetable Company
* Janice Honigberg, Sun Belle Inc.
* Cindy Jewell, California Giant Berry Farms
* Lorri Koster, Koster Communications, Coastal Grower Magazine
* Julie Krivanek, Krivanek Consulting Inc.
* Kathleen Nave, California Table Grape Commission
* Lisa McNeece, Grimmway Enterprises Inc.
* Teri Miller, The Fresh Market
* Dr. Martha Rhodes-Roberts, Roberts Associates
* Steffanie Smith, Andrew Smith Company
* Heather Shavey, Costco Wholesale
* Mayda Sotomayor-Kirk, Seald Sweet International/Greenyard USA
* Rosemary Talley, Talley Farms
* Jenney Tenney, The Kroger Company
