Aimee Bach, 31
Business Development Manager, FirstFruits, Yakima, WA
June 12, 2026 | 3 min to read
SHORT BIO
Hometown: Puyallup, WA
Hobbies: Rodeos, Country concerts, Skiing, Finding a good brewery
Family/Community: Central Washington University Marketing Mentor, DECA Judge
Motto in life: You’ve only got one life to live.
Bach has demonstrated ability to drive business growth, while making an impact on the produce industry and her community. She exhibits strong leadership through strategic market expansion, industry engagement and mentorship.
Her career started as a marketing and events coordinator at the Iron Horse Brewery after her college graduation from Central Washington University. She built a loyalty program, traveled around the state sharing products, and planned headline-making events that attracted 1,000+ people. From there, she moved into finance and accounting recruitment.
Her entry into the produce industry came in 2021, when she took a position as business development manager at FirstFruits. In this role, she has played a key role in expanding the company’s footprint by developing and strengthening strategic partnerships with major retail customers. She has led initiatives that drive category growth, enhance customer engagement, and increase brand visibility across the region.
She has completed the USApple Next Gen Fellowship and the FPFC Apprenticeship. Her commitment to service, especially her leadership of the “Take a Bite Out of Hunger” program, which has helped donate over 3.2 million pounds of apples, highlights her dedication to addressing food insecurity.
Q: What do you wish you knew when you first started your career?
I wish I understood earlier that no one is going to hand you a roadmap for success, especially in produce. Every season, customer, market, and operational challenge is different, which means curiosity and adaptability matter more than having all the answers immediately. Immerse yourself in networking events, meaningful mentorships, and resources like produce news publications to gain deeper understanding of the industry.
Q: What is the one thing in produce that you are most passionate about?
One of the things I’m most passionate about is the growing “food is medicine” movement. At the end of the day, we’re not just selling apples or produce; we’re selling a lifestyle to help provide nutrition, wellness, and nourishment to communities. There’s something incredibly rewarding about being part of an industry that directly impacts people’s health and everyday lives.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
The trust and relationships I’ve built throughout my career. Produce is a relationship business in the truest sense, and people remember how you communicate during difficult situations far more than they remember an easy season.
Coming into agriculture without a traditional produce background forced me to learn quickly and earn credibility through consistency, adaptability, and follow-through. I’ve never been the most transactional person in the room, and I think that’s actually become one of my strengths.
Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry?
Stay curious, build relationships early, and learn how every part of the supply chain connects together. Produce is one of the few industries where you can discuss consumer psychology, weather patterns, labor challenges, logistics, packaging, and retail strategy all within the same meeting. If you can stay adaptable, communicate well under pressure, and genuinely care about people, the industry will usually give that energy back to you over time.
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