If you’ve ever had a California sweetpotato on your plate, there’s a good chance that Jeremy Fookes helped put it there.
Why? Because Jeremy is in charge of sales at AV Thomas Produce, the largest sweetpotato grower in California.
“I’ve been blessed beyond expectation,” he says, “My ‘job’ is to sell a wholesome, nutritious, delicious, versatile superfood grown by some of the greatest people I’ve ever met.”
Yes, it’s a great job. But this is a great guy, too, who thrives on bringing the world delicious food.
It all started back in 1994, with Jeremy working in the back room of a store’s produce department. From there, he moved to the wholesale side, working graveyard shift while going to college during the day. Eventually, he got an opportunity to apprentice as a produce buyer—and took it.
“I worked with four buyers that had over 100 years’ experience between them.” And those buyers helped instill Jeremy’s passion for produce.
In 2004, that passion landed him at AV Thomas, where his to-do list varies from day to day and season to season. Some days might find Jeremy working with retailers to help boost their sweetpotato offerings. Sometimes he’s trying to ensure supply for a customer, so they have what they need fifty-two weeks a year. And still others, he’s working on bringing new varieties, or new packaging options, to market.
“It’s all about the customer and taking care of their specific needs.”
Married for over twenty years, Jeremy and his wife have two sons, two dogs, and a cat named Indiana. When he’s not working, they love good food and wine, enjoying amazing restaurants around the country as well as recreating those dishes back home.
So how does he like to eat sweetpotatoes? Simple—foil-wrapped, grilled whole, and served with a dash of butter. (Jeremy’s also partial to his wife’s Japanese Sweetpotato Salad—we’ll share that recipe soon.)
Any last words from the man who’s so passionate about bringing you sweetpotatoes? “I love what I do. So… thank you for the support over the years.”
To which we say, right back at ya, Jeremy.
