David Lundstrom, a longtime veteran of the Nogales produce deal, has announced his retirement after more than five decades in the produce industry.

Speaking with The Produce News on April 11, Lundstrom said that after much consideration, he is “finally comfortable” with the decision and looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Bobbie, and watching his grandkids grow up.

“It’s time to say goodbye,” said Lundstrom, 66. “It’s been a long 51-year run, and produce has provided beyond my expectations. But it’s time for the younger guys to take over.”

Lundstrom began his produce industry career at age 13, pitching watermelons at Al Harrison Co. “Every now and then we would ‘accidentally’ drop a watermelon so that we had something sweet to eat,” he recalled of his childhood antics.

At age 14, Lundstrom joined his father, Roy, at GAC Produce, first cleaning up in the offices before eventually working on the dock. “My dad always used to tell the foreman to work me harder than anyone else,” said Lundstrom. “I really liked working there because I enjoyed being around all my co-workers, and they always brought the most amazing food, from tacos to sandwiches.”

Lundstrom went on to earn his degree in marketing from Arizona State University. Upon graduation in 1979, he returned to Nogales and was hired by Chuck Ciruli at Amex Distributing. After one year at Amex, Lundstrom moved to Colorado with a friend from ASU to run a pet shop in Loveland.

“Running the pet shop was fun, but it was hard work and we weren’t making any money,” said Lundstrom. “I consider this an instrumental part of my career, because it made me really want to get back into produce.”

Lundstrom then rejoined Amex Distributing in 1981 and helped open the Los Angeles office, which operated as a brokerage. Wanting to get back in to the shipping end of the business, he eventually returned to Nogales and began his long tenure with a number of different companies, including Benny Produce, Frank’s Distributing, Produce Kountry, Sales King, Farmer’s Best and Wilson Produce. It was at Wilson that Lundstrom spent more than 17 years and rose to the position of chief operating officer.

Following his time at Wilson, Lundstrom joined Divine Flavor as a category sales manager, and then moved over to Delta Fresh Sales last fall as a category manager.

“We were very fortunate to have David spend this last part of his career with us providing guidance, experience and sharing his vast produce knowledge with the rest of our sales team,” said Thanasi Panousopoulos, owner and CEO of Delta Fresh Sales. “We wish him all the very best in this new chapter of his life.”

Asked about industry members who have had an impact on his career, Lundstrom said, “It’s so tough to single anyone out because there have been so many people who I consider to be a mentor. First on that list is my father, Roy. But after that, Chuck Ciruli, Raul Batiz of RB Packing, Bob Witt of American Produce, K. Tawa of W.K. Tawa and Jim Cathey of Produce Kountry all had a positive impact on my career.”

Lundstrom added that he feels blessed by the people he has met and the relationships he has formed during his 51-year career.

“I wouldn’t have lasted so long in this industry if it wasn’t for the people,” he said. “In turn, I have tried to pay it forward by trying to be kind, helpful, honest and hardworking, and a mentor, too. I hope I am remembered that way.”

Aside from his time in produce, Lundstrom is proud of his service to the greater Nogales community. He served as vice president of the Santa Cruz County Search & Rescue team; was chairman and president of the Crawford Street Historic District; vice chairman of the Cultural Historic Commission; served on the Santa Cruz County Workforce Board; and served on the Tomato Advisory Board and the Table Grape Advisory Board.

While Lundstrom has no plans to work in any capacity, he said he still considers himself a produce guy, and looks forward to continuing to get together with friends in the industry.

“And I’m sure we’ll still be talking about produce,” he quipped. “When produce friends get together, you can’t help but talk about produce!”