I've been with DNO Produce since 2010, and during that time, my responsibilities have evolved considerably. Having spent several years working in procurement before moving into my current position as Contract Manager, I've gained a broader understanding of how our different departments work together. Today, I manage two government produce contracts, with much of my work centered on the Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
I started at DNO 16 years ago when my uncle and cousin hired me to do a little bit of everything. From answering phones and helping walk-in customers to pulling orders and taking inventory, I got a firsthand introduction to the business from the ground up. Eventually, I moved into a supporting role in contracts, handling order entry and reporting, before transitioning into procurement, where I spent most of my career. That experience gave me a much deeper understanding of the produce industry and how our business operates. After 13 years with the company, DNO decided to establish a dedicated Contracting Department, and I was offered the opportunity to lead it. It was a natural progression that allowed me to bring everything I'd learned over the years into a new role.
For those unfamiliar with DoD Fresh, the program allows participating schools to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables using federal funding. While the concept is straight forward, there's quite a bit of work behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly.
My day-to-day responsibilities range from reviewing contract opportunities and preparing bids to managing product catalogs and pricing, monitoring contract compliance, and addressing customer needs. To meet our contractual obligations, I work closely with our procurement, operations, transportation, and accounting departments.
The DoD Fresh program requires domestic sourcing, so keeping our product catalog accurate means tracking seasonal changes, growing regions, and product availability throughout the year. I work with our procurement team to stay informed about domestically grown products and source locally grown produce whenever possible.
A recent shortage of grape tomatoes showed how quickly a routine seasonal transition can become a supply issue. Grape tomatoes are a popular item on school lunch menus across the country, and we had been sourcing them from Michigan. As Michigan's growing season ended and we prepared to transition to southern growing regions, challenges facing growers left availability extremely limited. Working closely with procurement, we monitored availability, explored alternatives, and kept our customers informed as the situation developed. The experience illustrates how quickly conditions in the produce industry can change—and why staying ahead of those changes matters.
Over the years, I've seen our government contract operations evolve, along with the systems and processes we use to manage them. While much of my work involves spreadsheets, reporting, and administrative responsibilities, every day brings something different, and there's always a new challenge to work through.
It's easy to lose sight of the purpose behind the contracts, paperwork, and day-to-day challenges. What I find most rewarding is remembering what that work makes possible: helping schools provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students. That meaningful purpose is an important part of what we do at DNO.