OAKLAND, CA - Grant J. “Jim” Hunt, Jr., a longtime staple of the produce industry and former President of Grant J. Hunt Company has passed away at the age of 94.

A graduate of University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Agricultural Economics, Hunt joined the Oakland, California-based produce distribution firm in 1946 after his rehabilitation from wounds received in battle during World War II in France during the Battle of the Bulge. Just three years later, he was suddenly tasked with leading the company following the sudden passing of company Founder Grant J. Hunt, Sr. He then assumed the role as President, where he served more than four decades until his retirement in 1992.

Over his tenure in the produce industry, Hunt served on many Board positions with the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), including a stint as President starting in 1981. Hunt’s son, Grant M. Hunt, followed in his footsteps in serving PMA, becoming the association’s Chair in 1999. According to a press release, they are the only father-son duo to ever serve in the Board President/Chair capacity to date. Under Jim Hunt’s leadership, PMA’s three divisions (retail, foodservice, and floral) developed policies to enhance the growth of the industry; particularly focused on Hunt’s passion of attracting youth to the produce industry.

“Jim Hunt had already completed his term as Chairman of the PMA Board when I joined the association in 1983,” stated Bryan Silbermann, PMA’s recently retired CEO. “Nonetheless, he took the time to school me in the workings of our industry and the lessons he had learned throughout his career. Jim’s unselfish service to the industry he loved is one reason I was so pleased to visit him just weeks ago at his home, where he reminisced so lucidly on shared experiences. Like his son Grant, another PMA Chairman of the Board, Jim understood so well the mutual benefit that flows from leadership service to others across an industry.” 

“The Produce Marketing Association is saddened to learn of the recent passing of former Board President Grant J. (Jim) Hunt Jr., who led the association in 1981,” current PMA CEO Cathy Burns released in a statement. She explained that under Jim’s leadership, PMA’s retail, foodservice, and floral divisions developed a strategy on training that grew into programs that were the cornerstone of its store-level educational offerings for many years.

“We greatly appreciate Jim’s commitment to PMA and our industry, and we extend our deepest condolences to his children and grandchildren,” Cathy said.

Hunt was a man deeply dedicated to his volunteer work; particularly in areas working with youth. He served as Scoutmaster for many years with the Boy Scouts of America, serving on the Board of Directors of the Piedmont Council. In honor of his positively impacting the lives of youths, the Boy Scouts was presented with the Silver Beaver award. Hunt was also very active with St. Helena Catholic Church, serving on both the Parish Council and the School Board. 

The company stated that a Mass of Christian Burial is planned for April 5 at St. Helena Catholic Church in St. Helena, CA. AndNowUKnow would like to extend its condolences to Jim Hunt’s friends and family during this difficult period.