With the end of this tumultuous year about a week away, I thought I’d look back on some of my favorite quotes from industry leaders in each magazine issue (except for July, our Supplier Directory) throughout the year.

I sometimes find it fun to read quotes, standing on their own, without full context. If they’re strong enough, they can tell a story in and of themselves — with candor, color and quick impact.

And, well, there was so much to say about this past year.

…

January

“We not only use [food safety] as a differentiator, we use it as a selling point.” — Dan Siegel, founder and chairman of Deli Star

February

“There’s the 15% who think we’re the scourge of the universe. Unfortunately, I think we have gotten a habit of trying to talk to them.” — Pete Thomson, senior vice president, legislative and public affairs, North American Meat Institute

March

“Data doesn’t lie. You can make it lie, but it doesn’t lie, if you look at it.” — Jeff “Trip” Tripician, president, Perdue Premium Meat Co.

April

“We just watched 90% of our sales disappear. We’re all screwed if we don’t get help. Right now.” — Terry Levan, co-owner of Dewberry Hills Farm

May

“When families get together, our product sells. [COVID-19] is currently the longest family gathering we have seen in centuries.” — Ron Godshall, president, Godshall’s Quality Meats

June

“You can stop producing footwear, apparel, televisions … But you know what? The cows keep growing.” — Peter Friedmann, founder, executive director, Agriculture Transportation Coalition

August

“It’s the first time in my life in this business that I felt like I was in the business at the right time,” Mike Holland, co-owner of Holland Bros. Quality Meats and Catering

September

“‘Sustainable,’ in the technical definition of the word, just means maintaining status quo. Why would I want to do that?” — Dr. Allen R. Williams, CEO, BDA Farm

October

“Our people were there in the plants, as vulnerable as any of the workers there, and yet they did their job.” — Sonny Perdue, Secretary of Agriculture

November

“I don’t think a brand or a product can really even exist anymore without a story.” Laurie Buckle, founder and CEO of Cook It, an L.A.-based influencer marketing firm

December

“If it ever slows down, it’s going to be like, ‘Oh, this is what normal feels like,’ because right now nothing about it feels normal.” — Shaunna Zanker, co-owner of Stanhope Market & Locker

…

“Normal” is a concept whose definition is still somewhat amorphous in current times. With vaccines rolling out across the nation, I hope we’re on a path back to its traditional meaning.

Meanwhile, happy holidays to all! I hope they’re as normal as can be.

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