Anna Kirsch, 37
Director of Business Development, Calavo Growers, Santa Paula, CA
June 12, 2026 | 3 min to read
SHORT BIO
Hometown: Paramus, NJ
Hobbies: Staying active, Travel, Petting all the dogs
Family/Community: Director on co-op board for 9 years, NY Cares volunteer, NYC Marathon volunteer, NYU’s Pediatric Rehab volunteer.
Motto: Show up as your best, every day!
Kirsch entered the produce industry in 2012, when her career pivoted to a position at FreshDirect as associate marketing manager. In this role, she focused on new customer acquisition and activating trade partnership programs. The passion from the produce team was inspiring, so a year later, she moved to New Star/organicgirl to work on premium salad greens, juices and dressings. Here, Kirsch built a foundation in sales, merchandising, customer service, and consistency in quality in her role as marketing and merchandising manager.
After three years, Kirsch moved to Avocados From Mexico as regional director of trade marketing. She led the design and execution of programs that drove consumer engagement and category growth across retail, foodservice, and e-commerce channels throughout the Northeast and Central regions.
In 2022, she joined Westfalia Fruit as an account manager, gaining valuable experience operating within a competitive market and selling across both retail and foodservice channels.
In 2024, she moved to director of business development at Calavo Growers. In this role, she is focused on driving excitement and sustainable growth within the avocado category by designing customized programs for both new and existing customers.
In addition to cultivating new business, she partners closely with existing customers to support their growth through category management, assortment optimization, effective merchandising strategies, impactful promotions, and tailored solutions to meet specific business challenges. Kirsch is a recipient of the 2020 SEPC Next Generation Leader Award.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry and why?
I began working in the produce industry when I saw the passion my coworkers had for what they did. I was on the marketing and customer acquisition side of the FreshDirect business, and produce was always excited about something new. Their enthusiasm was contagious!
Q: What do you wish you knew when you first started your career?
It is OK to fall in love with what you do.
Q: What is the one thing in produce that you are most passionate about?
People. Food brings people together around a table and brings us together as an industry. The people make it work, and the love and passion keep it going.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
I have mentored young people who are starting out, and I am extremely proud of their wins and personal growth. Although I will be a footnote in their success stories, I am extremely proud to have played a part in that success.
Q: Where do you think growth happens the most?
Innovation is an idea or a possibility coming to life. Often, this is only possible with collaboration across several departments.
Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry?
The people in this industry are passionate and eager to share their knowledge with you. Ask as many questions as you can!
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