Who's Who at MH Produce
Farshad Abad, Produce Buyer, Market Hall Produce
Farshad Abad has worked for Market Hall Foods for 20 years and has been our Produce Buyer for 14 years. Although not the most glamorous part of his job, he wakes up every morning at 2am in order to visit wholesale produce markets across the Bay Area, where he hand-picks the best-looking, best-tasting fruit and vegetables he can find, the high-quality produce you find everyday at Market Hall Produce.
Responsible for building the close-knit and long-term relationships we maintain with our farms, Farshad says that his favorite part of his job is seeing customers happy with the produce [he] brings in. And when it comes to actually using and eating the produce he brings in, he likes to keep it simple. I just make things up as I go. But just in case youre wondering, his favorite fruit is mangoes and his favorite vegetable is artichokes.
Outside of work, which for him includes more daylight hours than most, Farshad enjoys riding his motorcycle and working with his garden.
Gabriel Villanueva, Manager, Market Hall Produce
Another dedicated and seasoned Market Hall hand, Gabriel Villanueva has been working for Market Hall Foods for 14 years. He worked at The Pasta Shops Wholesale Pasta factory before moving over to manage Market Hall Produce two years ago. Gabriel says that, in produce, every day is different, and he enjoys figuring out ways to bring his customers a unique and high-quality experience every time they come into the shop. He also likes figuring out ways to make Farshad laugh.
When not managing produce or cracking jokes for Farshad, Gabriel gives back to his community by coaching youth soccer. I dont only teach them how to play soccer; I try to teach them principles of life, too, which they will carry on into their own life. Luckily, coaching allows Gabriel to spend extra quality time with his son, Jose Gabriel, who everyone calls Piccachu because hes so fast on the soccer field.
Favorite Go-To Recipe: Squeeze the juice of one lime over cut-up jicama and cucumber, then sprinkle with salt and cayenne pepper.
Favorite Fruits: Peaches and Nectarines from Goldbud Farms: They have a firm texture and a really sweet taste. And Medina Berry Farms strawberries: These are as fresh as you can get in the farmers markets and are as sweet as candy.
Favorite Product Off the Shelf: Taylor Brothers Organic Pitted Prunes: The ones in the can. They dont lose their flavor, and they are soft with an intense flavor.
Trini Maciel, Assitant Grocery Buyer, Market Hall Produce
Always with a smile on her face, Trini Maciel has worked for Market Hall Produce for five years. Her favorite part of her job has always been helping customers and learning about new products. And now, as Assistant Buyer for our specialty grocery products in MH Produce, Trini is even more eager to help out if youre in the market for say, Roasted Coconut Chips (her favorite) or organic whole grain pasta and cookies from Italy.
With six sisters and one brother, Trini ends up spending a lot of quality time with her family, and not just outside of work. Her sister Carmen and brother Lalo (the youngest of the Maciels - he has seven mothers, Trini says) also work at MH Produce. Her twin Nenny and older sister Claudia work at Market Hall Bakery, and another sister, Christina works at The Pasta Shop on Fourth Street. But Trini manages to find time for friends, too; for fun, she likes to go out dancing.
