The focus of the trip was on further refining the planning ahead of the season. As a supply chain partner, we are of course closely involved in what’s going on, but it is precisely by being on site together that you can react more quickly and make concrete decisions.
“You’re sitting round the table together straight away and can get straight down to business,” says Nick. “By going through the planning together on the farms, you ensure that everyone is pulling in the same direction and knows what we’re working towards.”
During the trip, a visit to Battleboro Produce – our joint venture partner within SPOT – was, of course, on the agenda. We also visited several growers with whom we have been working closely for many years.
“Those relationships have really been built up over the years,” says Nick. “We speak regularly and know what to expect from one another. It is precisely because of this that we can now talk openly about availability and expectations and decide together how to approach the season.”
The strength lies in this combination of partners, which enables us to continue supplying year-round and to coordinate with one another where necessary.
The added value isn’t just in the formal meetings. “You sit down together, have a meal together and chat outside of work as well,” explains Nick. “That’s where the trust is built that you need to be able to adapt quickly.”
That personal connection ensures that communication remains accessible and that you can easily reach out to one another, even during busy or challenging periods.
The outlook for the coming period is challenging. A disappointing harvest in Mississippi has increased the pressure on North Carolina, whilst availability is limited.
“We’re already looking ahead to the new harvest in October,” says Nick. “It’s going to be tight, so it’s important that we keep a close eye on this together and make timely adjustments where necessary.”
The journey itself had its fair share of hiccups. An expired ESTA led to a false start, followed by a medical emergency landing in Canada. But that wasn’t all: a faulty suitcase came tumbling down the baggage carousel completely open, and a drive to the hotel ended in the middle of the night with a stop by a state trooper.
“That’s when everything seems to go wrong,” Nick reflects. “But it’s precisely those kinds of moments that you experience together. Looking back, you can laugh about it, and in a way, it’s all part and parcel of this sort of trip.”
What really sticks in the mind are the conversations and the shared sense of responsibility. “Everyone is doing their utmost to deliver,” says Nick. “And by discussing this together and making decisions, you know that you’re truly in this together.”
This journey reaffirms just how important it is to keep seeking each other out. By regularly sitting down together and being out in the field, you ensure that plans don’t remain mere words on paper, but become something everyone can get behind. Ultimately, that makes all the difference in a season where nothing can be taken for granted.
