From Field to Fork: Inside My Placement Year at MWW

By Molly Minshull, Agri-Food Marketing with Business Student, Harper Adams University

As part of my degree in Agri-Food Marketing with Business at Harper Adams University, I had the opportunity to complete a year-long placement in the industry. Coming from a farming background, I have always been fascinated by the journey from field to fork, but I wanted to explore a faster-paced, more diverse part of the food chain during my placement. That is what led me to choose MWW.

With their reputation as one of the UK’s leading fresh produce businesses, I knew I would get the opportunity to work with suppliers from around the globe and gain hands-on experience in a technical role that makes a real impact.

A Crash Course in Fresh Produce: What One Year on Placement Taught Me

My role as a Technical Assistant was varied and challenging and no two days were ever the same. I was responsible for gathering due diligence documentation from suppliers and ensuring compliance with customer requirements. I also got involved in product testing, updating customer portals, handling invoices, and contributing to monthly benchmarking reports.

At first, I’ll admit it was all a bit overwhelming, especially as I had never even heard of certifications like Global GAP or SMETA before joining the company. But with the incredible support of my colleagues in the technical team, I quickly found my feet. I was impressed by how much trust I was given from the start, and this led to me learning more in my first few months than I could ever have expected.

From Hesitant to Hands-On

Spending a year working with MWW has been transformational for me. My professional communication skills have grown. Whether liaising with customers, working alongside commercial teams, or holding supplier calls (one of which I led myself), I’ve become much more confident in myself and my role. My placement has also helped give me a number of valuable skills I can take with me back to university and into future roles, these include time management and attention to detail.

One of my favourite parts of the year was working on ethical and sustainability projects with our suppliers. Seeing how customer expectations are driving change in these areas was eye-opening, and I loved contributing to meaningful improvements in responsible sourcing.

I’ve also gained a deep appreciation for the fast-moving nature of fresh produce industry and the huge amount of work involved in getting fruit and veg to supermarket shelves. Next time I do the weekly shop I’ll be far more thank full for all the hard work that went into sourcing and producing the fresh fruit and veg that goes into my trolley.

Greenhouses and Growers: The Trip I’ll Never Forget

Another highlight of my placement year was getting to travel to Spain to visit our suppliers in the Almería, Granada, and Alicante regions. I saw miles of produce being grown in greenhouses, witnessed the complexity of the packing and logistics chains first-hand, and came away with a deeper understanding of the challenges suppliers face. It was an experience I’ll never forget and a reminder of just how global the fresh produce industry really is in the 21st century.

What I’ll Takeaway With Me

Thanks to my time with MWW, I now look at fresh produce completely differently. I have tried fruits I’d never even heard of before (cherimoya, anyone?), and I’ve become more aware of the origin, variety, and story behind the food we buy. One of the great things about the MWW technical team is just how supportive they are of each other. I received great feedback from my colleagues, which boosted my confidence and made me feel like a valued member of the team.

Thinking of a Placement at MWW?

If you’re looking for a placement that’s fast-paced, hands-on, and genuinely rewarding, I would 100% recommend MWW. My advice? Stay organised, never be afraid to ask questions, build strong communication with your team, and be ready to learn something new every single day.

The Future’s Bright, The Future’s Fresh Produce…

To everyone at MWW, I’d like to say a big thank you for supporting me over the last 12 months and for challenging me and showing me what’s possible in the industry. Your commitment to quality, innovation, and people aren’t just words on your website it’s something you all live by every single day.

My placement year has changed how I see the fresh produce industry forever and, more importantly, what I see in myself. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.

I’m heading back to Harper Adams for my final year with a whole new mindset and a clearer idea of where I want to go next. Fresh produce is definitely in my future, and you never know I might be back at MWW.