Hailing from a California agricultural family, Lauren Anderes brings both boots-on-the-ground experience and a love for navigating premium buy-side fresh produce categories. Speaking with Lauren is as equally fruitful a journey, and her passion and dedication to the programs she oversees give you a solid glimpse at her commitment to fresh produce. While chatting on a Zoom one spring afternoon, I couldn’t help but picture her at home in our IF List questions. Lucky for me, Lauren took me up on my musings…
IF you had to distill your definition of success into one sentence, what would it be?
As the wonderful and commonly used phrase goes “...it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
IF you had to choose now, what would your last meal consist of?
An Italian sandwich from All’Antico Vinaio.
IF you had to move into a different city, what three restaurants would you take with you?
Polo Bar in NYC, New York; Trattoria Cammillo in Florence, Italy; and Lucky’s in Santa Barbara, California.
IF you could switch places with anyone for one day, who would you choose and why?
Adele. I would love to just see her everyday, creating music and performing on such a powerful level.
IF you could have any actor play you in a movie, who would you want?
Margot Robbie. She is such a talented actress—who wouldn’t want someone as beautiful as her to play you?
IF you had to choose one personal artifact to leave behind after you are gone, what would it be?
My great-grandmother’s class ring that also has my birthstone set in it.
IF you had to be roasted by one comedian, who would it be?
Shane Gillis.
IF you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring?
I am addicted to the show Survivor, and would probably bring flint, a knife, and fishing gear.
IF you wrote an autobiography, what would be the title?
It Was All For You, for my daughter, Coco.
IF you could make everyone watch a movie of your choosing, which movie would you want them to see?
Gone with the Wind is a classic and my mom’s favorite—it even inspired my brother’s name, Rhett.
IF you could join a musician, dead or alive, on stage to sing along or play an instrument with, who would you choose and why?
Lauren Daigle, her songs are so powerful and moving!
IF you could re-experience an awesome day in your life, what day would you choose and why?
The obvious answer is my wedding day, but if I had to choose outside of that, it would probably be the trip to Italy with just me and my mom.
IF you had to choose one song to be the soundtrack of your year, what would it be?
James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You).” It was my wedding song, and this past September marked my marriage’s first anniversary. In August, we welcomed my daughter—it truly was the best year of my life!
IF you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Stop being so anxious to get to the next stage of your life. Sit in the present and enjoy!
