This column is part of our Last Word series, which invites noted professionals to provide closing thoughts at the end of each issue of Commercial Baking. See the full issue here.
—
ARLINGTON, VA — I am grateful to Commercial Baking for inviting me to share a few thoughts to close out this issue as it coincides with my approaching retirement after a fulfilling, challenging and, often, fun career working for and on behalf of the food industry. While it’s not my “last” word, indulge me as I share a few personal and professional observations from three and half decades advocating for an industry I love.
Grit and perseverance are just as important as creativity. I have invested a lot into innovation, but over time I have found that the winning organizations are those that reward the employees with stamina and ‘stick-to-it-ness.” Success often comes from those who think beyond the great next idea, trudge through the tall weeds, solve problems and regroup when things go off track, and still deliver.
The pendulum always swings back. Public policy issues with serious societal concern almost always “come back.” I started out in 1986 when the nightly news obsessively tracked the progress of the lonely “Islip garbage barge” that could not find a place to offload its cargo. Images of overflowing landfills took hold, and for 12 years, my work was focused exclusively on helping companies and municipalities manage packaging and increase recycling, largely in response to this catalyst. As opportunities to recycle packaging grew, the issue receded. But the pendulum has now swung back. This time, I’m heartened to see how seriously packaging companies and their customers are working toward increasing the recyclability of hard-to-manage materials.
Nutrition insecurity, not food insecurity. The snack industry has been a strong partner to national and local organizations working to eliminate hunger, also known as food insecurity, in America. The USDA is now reporting that the pandemic has increased the number of food insecure people from 35 to 42 million, many of whom are children. We must now focus on relieving hunger with nutritious food so that everyone has a baseline of good health.
Diversity drives results. I am proud of our concerted effort to bring new voices into the industry and elevate those who may not have been previously heard. The 2018 launch of WinS (Women in Snacks) focused on giving female leaders a platform to share their unique perspective, which in turn drove a deeper conversation about creating an inclusive culture so all individuals regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation are set up for success.
There is no such thing as a “work friend.” True friendships can be made under any circumstances, and I have made some of my very best friends on the job, across the eight organizations I have worked for since 1986. They don’t get an adjective in front of their designation, and their friendship doesn’t expire when I change jobs, move 3,000 miles away … or even retire.
