In a world as small as produce, the butterfly effect, be it socially, economically, or ecologically, is swift.
Recent years have shown us how one region can impact another and how input costs can ripple across the supply chain. The only thing tied more closely than the elements of produce is those who bring it to market.
That interconnective breeze caught me recently as I touched base with Scot Olson, President of North/Northwest Division for FreshSource. Reminiscing on a Snack contributor piece by Steve Junqueiro, Scot shared that he and Steve go way back.
“I’ve known Steve through the industry for many years, and what has always stood out is his ability to blend strategic vision with deep operational understanding. Even when we weren’t working side by side, his leadership at Save Mart and across the industry set a standard for how to elevate fresh,” Scot said.
Scot reminded me why Overcoming Produce Agnosticism is important even, if not especially, today. As we discussed the concept and all it covers, Scott pointed out how, more than a year later, the topic is becoming more relevant in a way only Steve can articulate.
“His impact shows up in the way he consistently champions the craft of buying—the field visits, the relationships, the pattern recognition, the instinct. Steve has always been a voice reminding the industry that produce is a profession built on experience, curiosity, and respect for the supply chain. That perspective has shaped how many of us approach the work,” Scot said.
What resonates most, Scot shared, is Steve’s clarity in naming produce agnosticism for what it is—the misconception that produce can be managed like any other department. His reminder that “nowhere else in the store is quite like it” captures exactly why this business requires a different mindset.
"I’ve known Steve through the industry for many years, and what has always stood out is his ability to blend strategic vision with deep operational understanding."
Scot Olson, President of North/Northwest Division, FreshSource
“Steve’s emphasis on relationships also hits home. He explains that success in fresh depends on retailers and suppliers sharing information, anticipating change, and looking downfield together. That’s the heartbeat of the industry. It validates what many of us have lived for decades: the best outcomes come from trust, transparency, and long‑term partnership, not transactional thinking,” Scot explained. “Finally, his point about opportunity—that produce is unique, unpredictable, and full of upside for those who embrace its complexity—is a message the industry needs to hear more often. It’s refreshing to see someone articulate that truth so plainly.”
He brings more than his longtime connection with Steve to the conversation. Scot is so open, easygoing, and friendly, it's a challenge at times for me to remember that before he took the reins of FreshSource’s North/Northwest Division, he served more than 16 years as Vice President of Produce and Floral at Grocery Outlet, and 15-plus years in produce at Albertsons Companies before that.
Bearing this in mind, I asked Scot why he feels it’s important for us to remember the wisdom of veteran custodians of produce past.
“Because produce is one of the last parts of the grocery business where experience truly matters,” he told me. “Veteran buyers carry decades of pattern recognition—the kind you can’t learn from a dashboard. They understand how weather in one region affects markets across the country, how to balance margin and movement, and how to navigate tough seasons without damaging relationships.”
In carrying this important torch forward to the produce stewards of tomorrow, Scot said three essentials stand out:
Steve’s piece reinforces that retailers and suppliers succeed only when they operate as a team. New buyers need to understand that trust, communication, and shared information are as important as price.
As Steve says, “no two years are the same” in produce. Markets shift, weather changes, supply moves—and buyers must learn to make informed decisions with imperfect information. That’s part of the fun, and part of the craft.
Walk fields. Visit sheds. Spend time in stores. Understand seasonality, quality, and the nuances of each commodity. The best buyers are students of the product and the people behind it.
Reflecting on the voice that brought us such insights, Scot shared that Steve has been someone he’s held in the highest regard for as long as he’s been in this industry.
“As I was growing in my career, he stood out not only as a pillar of the produce world, but as the kind of leader and professional I hoped to model myself after. At industry events, Steve carried himself with a level of class, poise, and calm confidence that set him apart. People didn’t just respect him—they admired him. You could feel it in every room he walked into,” Scot recalled.
Later, having the opportunity to work alongside Steve at FreshSource was something Scot considered a gift, further deepening his respect.
“...produce is one of the last parts of the grocery business where experience truly matters. Veteran buyers carry decades of pattern recognition—the kind you can’t learn from a dashboard. They understand how weather in one region affects markets across the country, how to balance margin and movement, and how to navigate tough seasons without damaging relationships.”
Scot Olson
“I benefited tremendously from his experience, insight, and steady leadership, and the companies we represent benefited just as much. Steve has a way of elevating everyone around him,” Scot concluded. “He is a one‑of‑a‑kind industry veteran—someone whose wisdom, humility, and professionalism continue to inspire me. Even today, I find myself striving to emulate the qualities he embodies so naturally. My admiration for Steve has only grown over the years, and I remain grateful for the example he has set for all of us who follow in his footsteps.”
It is by remembering how many trails our industry continues to tread because of those who cleared the way that we honor their gifts to us. If we remain actively appreciative of the steps they took, the way forward will light itself. 
