Who is the Produce Mom?
Jan 19, 2012
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That’d be me. My name is Lori. I’m 30 years old & live in Indiana. I have 2 kids, 2 dogs & married the handsome fellow that I met during Spring Break ’00 in Panama City Beach, Florida – I know… every father’s dream for his daughter. I have always been really interested in cooking & food, so while it sounds odd, it’s not totally shocking that after studying Spanish in college, my career path led me to Indianapolis Fruit where I sell produce to retailers & chefs throughout the Midwest/Central United States.
Don’t you love it when people ask “what do you do?” I hate the question so much that not only do I avoid asking it, but I have also come up with some real smart ways to reply:
“What do I do? I piss off my husband. And what is it that you do?”
I loathe small talk. And maybe I’m bitter because I sell fruit. I mean, what’s so great or honorable about that? Plus, you know all the people asking this question are Doctors, CEOs, Lawyers, or worse yet… some broad who married a Doctor, CEO or Lawyer.
After 6 years of selling fruit, I have learned that it really is a great career & produce is a dynamic industry. While I still balk at the “what do you do?” after introducing myself to a stranger… I now have a new, less abrasive, answer. “I’m the Produce Mom.”
I work at least 8 hours a day at Indy Fruit & then my real job begins – I rush to pick my 4 year old up from school & then my 1 year old from daycare. I cook a healthy dinner while at least 1 of my 2 sons is pulling at my pant leg, whining that he’s hungry & asking if he can eat a cookie. I get the dinner on the table just in time for the men that I live with to critique it. Oh, and my husband always strolls in from his “long day” about the time we are sitting down to eat. He’s really good at dodging the chaos that happens between the hours of school pick-up to dinnertime. Then its homework, bathtime, bedtime, cleanup time & I might get 4 or 5 hours of sleep before it all starts again.
If you like cooking at home…or find yourself wondering how to cook a fresh artichoke or select the perfect cantaloupe… get a bit overwhelmed or intrigued in the Produce Department… or perhaps you just think it might be entertaining to follow along in the life of a working mom from Indiana…. I’m glad you are here. You have found your oasis. I hope to blog 3 times a week. You can always count on me for my fruit knowledge & wit. WELCOME & ENJOY YOUR STAY.
xoxo Produce Mom
I’m so proud of you!! Can’t wait to learn from you!!
Lori, I’m so proud of you. This is like Julie/Julia (is that right?) I have never followed a blog. I’m very old…and excited. I don’t know how to cook an artichoke. I am looking forward to following your recipes and life. I’m also a little nervous.
Hey Karen, Thank you! Stay tuned & you WILL be cooking fresh artichokes. And making the Niçoise Salad that Laura loves 😉
YES!!! I can’t wait to learn how to cook like you!!! 🙂 pretty soon, I’m going to be hosting the family dinners! love you!
You are a great cook – your chili is my favorite ever!!! And you certainly do mom’s pot pie better than me! Love you!
Love this!!!!!!
And I love YOU! Thanks, Leah!
Lori, you are wonder woman! It amazes me all that you do. So, what’s your favorite fruit and veggie?
Hi Nancy! Thank you – this is a tough tough question for someone like me. I’ve been blessed with my job to sample so many delicious fruits & vegetables. My favorite fruit is fresh Mexican Guava. My favorite vegetable is asparagus, oven roasted or grilled & salted- hah! I will likely have a blog in the near future where I do nothing but talk about my favorite items. I appreciate your support!