Agricultural Careers By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Ms. Anna Burgess Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START Produce Dealer

Job Duties & Responsibilities Market their products Communicate with growers about their products Meet with clients to survey their needs Schedule delivery of products Conduct sales and transactions Inspect produce

Qualities and Skills Produce dealers must be very good with people, especially since their success depends on maintaining good relationships with growers and with clients. They must be excellent business people and able to handle the financial aspects of being a produce dealer. They must be organized because as the business grows and more clients are accumulated, they must be able to keep up with each client’s order and payment details.

Salary The salary for a produce dealer depends greatly on the size of the business and number of clients as well as the region of the country and size of service area. In a small, starting business, the salary may be very low. However, for larger businesses that have been established for a while, the salary may fall in the hundreds of thousands or peak in the low millions.

Work Environment Indoor office work is required Much time will be spent traveling to meet with growers and clients Most work will be done in warehouses inspecting produce

Becoming a Produce Dealer If owning a private operation, no education is necessary beyond high school. However, college classes in business, sales, or financial management would be helpful in owning a business. College horticulture and food science classes may be helpful in identifying different produce and identifying their peak quality. A produce dealer can begin as an employee for another produce dealer and then eventually, through time and experience, enter into a management or administrative position. Another path would be to open a private operation and run the business.

Career Resources American Small Business Association Internet: National Restaurant Association Internet: USDA Produce Reports Internet: Produce Links Internet: Vegetable Grower’s News Internet: