Deafness in Foodservice

Although not produce related, our team is involved in foodservice and having a child working in the industry, I learn insights that reach beyond produce.  In recent years this includes the challenges that a deaf / hard of hearing individual experiences in foodservice with the progression of hearing loss my daughter is experiencing. It is our hope that in sharing these challenges, that our industries can glean insights so they can be more inclusive to the talent within the deaf community and provide opportunities.

As much as we all want to support and champion those with disabilities, it is hard to really know the challenges they face until you or someone close to you is facing it.  My daughter was diagnosed a few years ago with an immune condition that is slowly destroying the soft tissue in her body including the tissue in the ears required for hearing.  Not only is she navigating adult life in general, she is doing that in addition to experiencing hearing loss.  This has…