Farmer Israel Linares worked as a food broker for 20 years in Florida and Tennessee. He started working in produce buying and selling after watching others succeed in the food business. Over thirty years later, he’s learned a lot. Working in food has been a huge part of his life – he even met his wife at the produce market. Working in food has been a huge part of his life – he even met his wife at the produce market.

After brokering for years, Linares was struggling to make sure he had a consistent supply when products were scarce. He says “business is supposed to be serious” which, to Linares, means committing to getting product to customers as promised. To mediate a lack of supply, and meet his high expectations for quality, Linares started his own farm.

He chose Tennessee as an area with good growing weather. There’s also something different about Tennessee tomatoes – they have a quality that makes customers happy.

Linares Produce grows slicing, grape, cherry, green, yellow, and roma tomatoes, as well as red and green bell peppers, jalapenos, zucchini, and cucumbers.

Besides being a farmer, he is his daughter’s favorite chef. She particularly loves when he grills. She tells him he should open a restaurant so she can be his first customer.