“We became large melon growers and shippers over the years. We both come from a lineage of family farming. I couldn’t find a better fit,” Barry Zwillinger said.
Patrick “Pat” Tucker and Zwillinger have a unique partnership. Tucker is a farmer who understands the role of operations in the industry.
While he handles the agriculture side, Zwillinger handles the finances and marketing side of the business. They both attribute their expertise in different fields to the success of their partnership.
The name “Sweet Legend” was inspired by a conversation they had. Tucker had suggested naming the company “Marty’s Produce” and “Marty’s Melons” after Zwillinger’s father.
Zwillinger suggested against the name, as he worried Tucker wouldn’t be happy about it down the line. After Tucker mentioned that Zwillinger’s father is a legend in the industry, the name came to them.
Sweet Legend cantaloupes are grown and packed in Dos Palos. Despite both partners living in Arizona, they chose the San Joaquin Valley to harvest one of their products.
“Dos Palos is our headquarters office, our sales and marketing offices are in Arizona and Ohio. California is more of a home for the farming aspect of the business. There is nowhere in the country that has a farming community like Dos Palos, California,” Zwillinger said.
He emphasized that the Dos Palos farming community makes the farming community feel like home. Tucker and Zwillinger both describe the Dos Palos growers as family. They have been working with the same growers for 30 years, which they attribute to building trust and respect within the business.
“Pat will always be a part of Legend Produce. He’s just not on the 24/7 timeline like it was before. He helps bring people in. He’s worked with people out in the fields and in the coolers. They know when they have an issue, they can pick up the phone and call Pat Tucker,” Zwillinger said.
Tucker felt honored to be celebrated at the Dos Palos Y Service Club. “Paul Goodman would take me to meetings as a guest for 5 or 6 years. One meeting Paul said I needed to come to, and they voted me in as a member. It was probably one of the proudest things that have happened to me in that valley.
“I was shocked, and it was an honor that the farmers would elect me into their organization, and it’s a fine organization. They do a lot for the community and a lot of charity work,” Tucker said.
Randy Miles, president of the Dos Palos Y Service Club, hosted a luncheon to celebrate Tucker’s influence on the community. “He has a great heart, very nice gentleman. We had a beautiful retirement dinner for him at the club. Everyone spoke highly of him, and I think the world of him,” Miles said.
Tucker describes Dos Palos as being a unique farming community. He describes them as a community that cares about each other, comes together and frequently helps their fellow farmers out.
“If a farmer goes down in Los Banos or Dos Palos and can’t get a crop in, I guarantee his neighbors are harvesting that crop for him. It is so heartwarming to see the community come together,” Tucker said.
Tucker is looking forward to traveling with his wife, Debbie Tucker, and spending more time with his grandchildren during his retirement. One of his goals is being able to experience Christmas in all 50 states.
