Meet Carlos: Our August Brocc' Star

Carlos Sagastume has been a faithful member of the FRESHEALTH team since March of 2011. Referred to FRESHEALTH by a friend, Carlos was initially interested in the frequent overtime opportunities offered in the produce industry. What he did not expect was the professional growth he experienced alongside the growth of the company.

"When I came here we were just beginning to build our fresh-cut side," said Carlos. "We had one vertical bagging machine. That is where I began to learn and understand the machines." As the company grew, Carlos learned how to operate each new piece of equipment to maximum efficiency.

For example, Carlos will review our fresh-cut production schedule and note the specific pack sizes of each order. In a day, Carlos and his team might prepare a dozen different items such as 4 oz. portioned fajita mixes, 2 oz. kiwi slices, and 5 lb. diced onion. Carlos calculates how much packaging material is needed to fill all the orders, prepares the material and equipment, and runs tests to ensure packaging integrity. Proper packaging is highly critical to our work. It keeps our food as safe as possible, protecting it from contamination or physical damage and maintaining the item's freshness and shelf life.

Carlos is the first line of defense to detect any mechanical issues with our baggers. Depending on the issue, he will fix the machine himself or alert the maintenance staff to step in. Carlos also keeps a close eye on each produce item as it runs through the bagger, providing an additional layer of inspection for quality, flavor, and food safety.

"Carlos is an important member of our team," said Production Manager Guillermo Santiago. "As a bagger operator, he is observant and analytical, ensuring all the finished products are excellent. He is responsible in his work and always there to help others.”

In his free time, Carlos serves as the pastor for Iglesia Tabernaculo de Adoracion. He also enjoys spending time with his family.