As a former produce man, it’s no surprise Bruce Rodwell feels at home in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.
Rodwell grew up in Holley, New York, a town near Rochester. His father ran a grocery store.
“Back in those days, kids worked in their father’s business whether they got paid or not,” Rodwell said.
Rodwell got his start in the produce business when The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company — more commonly known as A&P — was looking to hire an office worker for one of its New York packing plants.
“I got hired as an office clerk and gradually progressed up the ladder,” Rodwell said.
Dedication and countless mornings waking up at 4 a.m. led Rodwell to reach the rank of a produce buyer, which enabled him to travel all over the eastern United States.
“I used to leave up there around Memorial Day and wouldn’t come back home until Labor Day,” Rodwell said. “I really enjoyed my time with A&P, though. I got to see a lot of things I probably wouldn’t have seen.”
After 14 years with the company, Rodwell joined the Western New York Apple Growers’ Association. His unmistakable voice was put to use in television and public relations gigs to promote apples. Rodwell left the association when he was offered a job with AgWay to run its apple operations.
It was there that he met his wife, Margaret, who was an apple packer with the company. They’ve been married for 34 years.
After a stint in Moosic, Pennsylvania, overseeing potato and onion operations, Rodwell received his next assignment: strawberries.
Welcome to Strawberry Country
The Rodwells moved to Plant City in 1996 to work in the strawberry business. By the time Bruce Rodwell retired Dec. 31, 2001, the family was settled in the town of about 30,000.
“We liked it here,” Rodwell said. “We stayed here.”
Rodwell, who kept up his early mornings after his retirement, started looking for something to do in the community.
The phone calls from local organizations began pouring in.
“If I had to do what I do now when I was working, I couldn’t do it,” Rodwell said.
His involvement in organizations across Plant City stretches from volunteering with United Way and the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce to the Daybreak Rotary Club. He served 10 years on BayCare’s board of directors and has been involved with the United Food Bank of Plant City since 1999. He also volunteers his time to Diamonds and Denim, the YMCA, Plant City’s First United Methodist Church, Planning Board of Plant City and the board of St. Joseph’s Hospital.
“I try to give 100% to everything,” Rodwell said.
Rodwell’s new community noticed. In 2009, he was named Citizen of the Year by leaders of civic organizations across town.
“That was a big deal,” Rodwell said.
To date, it’s his favorite moment from his time in Plant City.
“I was sitting next to Charles Harris, and they started describing (the winner,)” Rodwell said.
“I truly enjoy being involved in the community … I find that very rewarding."
–Bruce Rodwell
Among other qualities, the winner was described as someone who woke up at 4 a.m. daily.
“I said, ‘I thought I was the only one who did that!’” Rodwell said.
Slowly, it dawned on him. As he went up to accept his award, his family was waiting.
“I almost had a heart attack,” he said.
As the years progressed, the community continued to take note of his tireless dedication. In 2014, he was named the 2014 Christmas Parade Marshal.
“I love the people and the community,” he said. “The people here are so friendly … I have always been a very active person, and I truly enjoy being involved in the community (and) meeting people. I find that very rewarding.”
When he’s not volunteering, he can be found at the YMCA by 5:30 or 6 a.m. with his wife. The couple has six children, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.