FollowSome people work at one job for their whole lifetime, while others switch jobs at various times over a span of several years. I, myself, worked in a variety of different jobs, including retail, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, postal, volunteering, the school board as well as packaging and distribution of organic fresh produce.
I guess, all in all my favorite job would have to have been the packaging and distribution of organic fresh produce at a local warehouse. I did this for about 7 years, and I definitely got a hands on approach to world of organic food from the certification, growth, packaging and distribution standpoint. I learned about what a farm had to do in order to be certified, how the produce is selected, transportation and distributed through an organic food network and how it was distributed to the general public.
I worked with farmers, school teachers, nutritionists, disadvantaged youth, refugees, new immigrants, native peoples, and many other people from all walks of life during these years. I learned about start up organic companies, farmers that were struggling to make the organic transition, and the smile on their faces as they brought their organic produce to that warehouse, no matter if it was rain or shine, sweltering heat, freezing cold or even a blizzard.
And to think that I walked to that warehouse sometimes 3-4 times a week, which was about an hour away, no matter the weather. Working away at lifting bags of fresh produce and packing it in reusable containers as part of helping to reduce the carbon footprint on Mother Earth. Most days we packed over 2000 large plastic containers.
The organic food was for the most part, produced locally. However, during the winter months, some of the produce was imported and not always organic, therefore the amount in the bins was generally less due to the buying costs.
Sometimes we would meet with the local bee farmers, who had enough honey to distribute it out to school programs, organic foodies, and seniors. I also worked in the kitchen during those years, prepping the fresh produce, wash, peel, cut and slice in portions that made it easy for a senior to enjoy along with their lunch or dinner meal. I also worked in the kitchen, along with a chef, preparing meals for the staff and warehouse workers.
It was here, I really experienced organic food, from flour to fruit and everything in between, from all corners of the world. For example, I learned what about; kumquats, quinces, persimmons, dasheen, cocoa beans, vanilla pods, and many other things.
Other times I worked in the office in a secretarial position. That, I think was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. That, of course, and being a Mom.
What was the best job you ever had or perhaps wished for?
