“Communication, transparency and consistency all build trust, which leads to these strong partnerships,” Grant said. “People have to eat, and we all need a fresh supply of tomatoes and vegetables. I think collectively more people are trying to eat healthy and pay attention to what they are putting into their bodies.”
The produce industry is not without its challenges, and one of the biggest in 2025 concerns the tariff situation, and now the ending of the suspension agreement, which Grant noted has thrown big curveballs into the industry.
“We are continuing to evaluate what we are doing with plantings and acreages moving forward and what adjustments we want to make as we move forward and navigate these challenges and unknowns,” he said. “We have to be flexible and make sure that we communicate well with our partners as we work through these challenges.”
Another thing that has been a big part of Flavor 1st’s success through the years is the employees who have been a part of the business for years.
“We have a strong team culture here at Flavor 1st, everyone pulling together for the same goal,” Grant said. “Produce always has unexpected things pop up, so you have to be flexible and able to adjust and pivot on the fly. In order for us to do this, we have to work with our team in Georgia during their window, all working towards the same goal of getting quality tomatoes and vegetables on the kitchen counters of our neighbors.”
