Connecting across the fresh industry
Connecting across the fresh industry
Matt Zapczynski believes membership in industry organizations has its privileges, especially when you’re looking to create strong relationships with other potato pros. A year and a half into his position as Northeast/Midwest retail promotion director for the Idaho Potato Commission, Zapczynski said he sees firsthand the value that his broad industry involvement brings to both his customers and the IPC team.
“Being involved in groups like Southeast Produce Council, Eastern Produce Council, and New England Produce Council allows me to build strong connections with peers, customers and suppliers,” Zapczynski said. “These relationships often translate into opening doors or problem-solving in the future.”
Leaning into leading
Zapczynski challenged himself with stints in 2025 leadership programs for both the Eastern and New England produce councils as part of his ongoing commitment to expanding his knowledge about current and future issues likely to impact the potato industry. In the past, he has also completed several leadership training classes with the Food Marketing Institute and the International Fresh Produce Association.
“These types of leadership academies are great ways to explore the interactions between retail operations and the produce industry,” said Zapczynski, who has managed both retail in-store department operations and wholesale produce operations in previous jobs.
“I like to push myself to take advantage of every educational opportunity our industry has to offer, because the more I know, the more I can use my knowledge to help my Idaho® potato customers.”
Hands-on learning
Even the best class or seminar, however, is no substitute for getting your hands dirty in some rich Idaho soil, said Zapczynski. “One of the best experiences of my job is getting retailers out to Idaho for the harvest tours and seeing their amazement at the work that goes into getting the potatoes to their stores or the end consumer. They’ve been taken aback by not just the sheer volume, but the attention to detail and traceability,” he said.
This kind of personal experience with Idaho potatoes is a hallmark of IPC’s commitment to supporting retailers in every way possible, added Zapczynski. “They see what we do, and we are regularly in their retail stores to learn more about their operations,” he said. “That helps us all see how we can work together to help each other grow Idaho potato volumes.”
