National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated each year from mid-September to mid-October, is an opportunity for the fresh produce industry to reflect on the history of people of Hispanic descent and their contributions to the overall production of fruits and vegetables.
The month-long event also celebrates the great strides made by Hispanic professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners within their communities and the supply chain.
This year, I invite everyone across the fresh produce supply chain to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by reflecting on the contributions of our many colleagues, peers, and friends of Hispanic descent in the produce industry, who have played pivotal roles in our industry’s growth for decades.
As a professional female who has worked to advance my career in the fresh produce industry for over a decade, I know firsthand that representation matters. The Hispanic professionals in our industry can also experience the same thing. Representation provides validation and creates an inclusive environment of respect and belonging.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Together
According to International Fresh Produce Associations’ Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Toolkit, diversity does not work without inclusion. “An inclusive and welcoming environment builds confidence and creates an environment in which everyone feels confident in bringing their full professional selves – in ways that realize their full potential and drive team and company performance.”
From c-suite executives and entrepreneurs to sales teams, administrative staff, and seasonal workers, our industry’s Hispanic community of professionals is vital. It touches every link along our supply chain. How might we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with them? Here are a few specific suggestions:
1. Your behavior is a model for others to follow
As leadership, you should recognize that your behavior is a model for others to follow. This will allow you to lead by example.
Consider celebrating the contributions of your employees of Hispanic descent, outlining the many ways their work supports your business’s bottom line. By spotlighting their work during National Hispanic Heritage Month, you validate their professional contributions.
By doing so publicly, you are setting the example that this community of professionals is worthy of celebration and elevation, further creating an environment of respect and belonging.
Your actions can empower others to follow suit and promote diversity and inclusion in the industry.
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2. Diverse voices enable us to meet different needs
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month also means creating space for representation. Celebrating a diverse workforce in all aspects of your operation means providing a seat at the table where you make decisions, discuss challenges, and create solutions for the benefit of your business and all employees.
A seat at the proverbial table is not just for optics or to check a DEI box; having diversity of representation at work ensures that policies are appropriate and equitable for all employees across the enterprise.
3. The celebration does not need to be limited to one month
Any ethnically diverse workforce can celebrate without being relegated to a designated month, week, or day. Just as the crops produced around the world that fall under the fresh produce umbrella are diverse, unique, and vast in variety and flavor, so are the professionals who contribute to every step of our supply chain.
Mid-September to mid-October calls special attention to the contributions of people and professionals of Hispanic descent, but the attention needs to continue. Celebrating diversity is a 365-day opportunity in any business across any industry.
This National Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s reflect on the contributions of the people and professionals of Hispanic descent across the produce supply chain, celebrate their collaboration, and ensure that they, too, have a seat at the table as the fresh produce industry continues to grow in diversity, representation, and voice.