May/June 2019 - 26

Q + A JANIS MCINTOSH
2
SEVEN
Q+A WITH JANIS MCINTOSH
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Janis McIntosh has been a big part of Naturipe for nearly 15 years,
but she recently took on a new role - director of marketing innovation
and sustainability. Naturipe is a partnership between four fresh berry
growers - Hortfruit S.A., Michigan Blueberry Growers, Naturipe Berry
Growers and Munger Farms. McIntosh has several certifications from top
packaging schools for design, development and sustainable alternatives.
She has also helped develop Naturipe's Cultivate with Care sustainability
program and is involved with the Consumer Goods Forum-Plastic
Waste Task Force, PMA Sustainability Committee and Monterey County
Sustainability Working Group (MCSWG).
1
When did you first become aware of sustainability?
" In the early '70s, the University of San Francisco would
host a recycling day once a month. Recycling was non-existent
back then, but my father would save up all his recycling, put me in
the car and drive over to the USF parking lot where we joyfully put
all our recycling into the proper dumpsters. My sister's wedding fell
on recycling day, and when it came time for pre-wedding pictures at
the house, my dad was MIA. Yep, tuxedo and all, he was off to the
dumpsters. Thankfully, he made it to the church on time to walk my
sister down the aisle.
"
3
What are your top goals for the
next 12 months?
" Packaging reduction is a key component
of our Cultivate with Care program. In my new role,
I'll be looking at the newest and best options across
industries to incorporate more recycle-friendly
packaging. We already use less materials in our
clamshells and now have compostable packaging
for our organic products that can eliminate the
plastic usage by up to 80%. We're looking for
solutions that will benefit every category of the
grocery store and every category in retail.
"
5
What is your
proudest
professional
accomplishment?
" I spearheaded the heat
seal clamshell initiative for
berries five years ago, which
is just now being embraced
by retailers.
"
26 MAY/ JUNE 2 019
6
If you had
to pick a
favorite
berry, which
would it be?
" They're all
delicious! Why
would you pick just
one?
"
4
2
What does your new job
entail?
" Naturipe developed the
director of marketing innovation and
sustainability role to address not
just the growing sustainability needs
within the produce industry but to
lead from a global view of what's
happening within consumer good
packaging and retail.
"
What is biggest challenge facing
the produce industry from a perception
standpoint?
A " There is a perception that produce is expensive.
s an industry, we need to change the mindset of the
consumer and promote the value of farming. This is more
than increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables,
it is about ensuring we deliver a profit back to the farms
so they are there for years to come. If farms continue to
close and populations continue to grow, our current food
system will not be able to feed everyone.
"
7
What do you enjoy doing away from
work?
" I grew up with a love of horses and rode
my entire life. I'm lucky enough to have one of my
own that is just right outside my window so I can
continue to ride. Four years ago, I got a crazy idea
to learn how to play the Celtic fiddle and now play
in a Celtic band. I also have a pet rooster that is
looking for a loving forever home.
"
May/June 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2019
