Vice President of Sales
Elevated Foods
Long Beach, CA

(Editor’s note: Paul Kneeland has a rich resume within the produce industry, from Roche Bros. Supermarkets, Kings Super Markets, Ahold-Delhaize USA, and, most recently, as senior vice president of sales for Gelson’s Markets. In January, he joined Elevated Foods. He spoke about his passion story during the New York Produce Show in December.)

I fell in love with the produce business many years ago. When I walked into a supermarket, I saw all the colors, I saw all the freshness, the fruits and vegetables. They just spoke to me, and they said to me, ‘you’ve got to be in this business.’ And that was many years ago.

I’m still in the business, still love the business, and it’s been a great career for me. I’ve met so many people — all the relationships that I’ve had in this business have been great.

The people are the absolute best part of the industry.

7 of 18 article in Produce Business April 2025