A Thanksgiving Note from Our CEO

It’s dinner time on a Tuesday in September, and we’re starting a new family tradition: sharing something we’re grateful for before we eat. Our five-year-old wants to go first.

“I’ll start, I’ll start!” he says. He pauses for effect, then declares, “I’m grateful for poo-poo and butts!”

Our nine-year-old cracks up, and my wife and I try not to smirk. Then we take our turns.

Beyond the Butts

Three months later, our gratitude practice is still going. Our nine-year-old surprised me by taking to it right away. Although video games usually top his list on weekends (that’s when he has tech time), he’s often grateful for bike rides, time with friends, and family board games, too.

Even our youngest started to catch on. We still get the occasional potty celebration, but he also shares gratitude for little moments, like playing a game of hide-and-seek or hanging out with our friend’s dog.

Our new family tradition has been great practice for Thanksgiving: the one day a year when the whole country pauses to reflect and be grateful. Even though we’re practicing gratitude regularly, the holiday still feels extremely valuable and refreshing to me. So, here are a few things I’m thankful for!

My Gratitude List

1. I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend time with the people I love—even though traveling to reach them is always a little stressful.
2. I’m extremely grateful for my work family. I’m lucky to work with an amazing group of people who are all committed to our mission of feeding people in need, supporting small farms, and nourishing employees and students with high-quality, delicious fruit and snacks.
3. Last but not least, I’m grateful for our exceptional clients and partners, including the farms and snack producers we work with. We couldn’t do the amazing things we do—like feeding formerly homeless Californians and providing free fruit to Chicago veterans—without you.

Whether you practice gratitude or not, I hope this week is a rejuvenating one, and I wish you the very best Thanksgiving.