Wegmans' Produce Category Merchant, Mary Zink, Shares Produce Insight Before WFPC
ROCHESTER, NY - If you have had the good fortune to meet Mary Zink, Produce Category Merchant for Wegmans Food Markets, I dare you to try and guess how long she’s been in our industry. Having witnessed firsthand her ease in our business, I was surprised to learn she’s only been at it for a couple of years.
“I’ve been with Wegmans for 18 years now, and the past 2.5 years in produce. I started out on the veg side of the business and just recently moved over to fruit,” Mary shared with me.
When it came to spotlighting women of produce in our countdown to the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference (WFPC) later this month in San Antonio, Texas, Mary was a clear choice. If you factor in the culture at Wegmans, as she brought to my attention, this couldn’t be more fitting.
“Wegmans truly supports women in leadership positions as our President and CEO Colleen Wegman leads by example every day and inspires us all to help others, follow our hearts, and love what we do. Being able to support the WFPC allows for us to build relationships within the industry, network, but also strengthen our leadership styles. I know last year when I returned from Miami, I was fully engaged, energized, and inspired,” Mary recalled.
She tells me that efforts to empower the women in fresh produce is one among many reasons to love our business as a whole.
“There are so many reasons to love the produce industry! The people, the innovation and opportunities, the relationships, and being able to help our customers, families, and friends live healthier, better lives through great-tasting produce. More and more women are joining the industry and it’s great to be able to acknowledge their contributions. Spotlighting women in produce is empowering for all women, because it shows what can be done and provides how it can be done,” Mary said.
When I asked her about a challenge that comes to mind since joining Wegmans’ fresh produce side, Mary shared that, understandably, it was somewhat trying to come in without a background in produce.
“Thankfully, I have a great team, a team that has some pretty impressive backgrounds and experiences, that has always been there to help me along the way,” she said. “I think my proudest moment is being able to say I work for one of the top companies in America AND in the department for which they are most noteworthy. How cool is that?”
This resonates strongly with me; I get to share the stories of the amazing people in this industry. Indeed, how cool is that? Thank you to Mary and to all those that keep this business not just fresh, but fun. For more on who they are and what they do, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow.
