Ironically, Dick Peixoto, who owns Lakeside Organic Gardens, spent part of his childhood dragging spray hoses through apple orchards with his father, who worked for a fertilizer and pest control company.

Raina Nelson wanted to become a doctor until she found a shortcut that enabled her to accomplish her goal of saving lives without spending years in medical school.

If you’re familiar with Aidan Mouat and someone asks you who is the smartest person you know who is affiliated with the produce industry, he’s probably the one who comes to mind.

When Landec Corp. acquired Guadalupe, Calif.-based Apio Inc. 20 years ago, Apio needed someone with experience in reverse mergers to help with the process.

Nick Dulcich got his start working on the family farm in McFarland, Calif. He still works there, but his job description and his perspective on the produce industry have evolved over the years.

When Tom Brugato was about 9 years old, he and his dad would stop off at Pacific Coast Fruit Co. in Portland, Ore., to pick up a supply of produce for the Thriftmart grocery store his father managed.

When Amanda Keefer started working odd jobs at age 12, she likely never envisioned working in the produce industry.

Marion Tabard was inspired to learn all she could about people at a young age, which has driven her passion for bettering the lives of others.

Growing up in apple country, Dan Davis found the tree fruit industry early in life — or perhaps the industry found him.

For Brian Miller, there was never any choice: He had to go into the produce business.