Page 59 - Roduce Editorials News Today

The North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect in 1994 and soon thereafter Phillip Garcia opened his customs house brokerage business. “The first year, I crossed about 80 trucks,” he said speaking of the business he cleared from Mexico into the United States over the Pharr Bridge in South Texas. “The second year I did 500 trucks and we’ve been growing ever since. Now we clear about 9,000 to 10,000 trucks annually.”

Thanksgiving is a few days away, and current economic factors will likely mean this is will be the most expensive for consumers — perhaps ever.

The Bard Valley Natural Delights team is attending this year’s New York Produce Show with award-winning products in tow, a newly promoted sales team and exclusive consumer insights on Medjool date shopping preferences. As part of the brand’s ongoing development of its internal team to meet the demands of the category, several team members have promotions to celebrate this month, including:

Walter P. Rawl and Sons has been providing fresh vegetables from its family farm in Pelion, SC, for almost a century.  As it does every year, the company will soon be headed to the New York Produce Show & Conference and is looking forward to the myriad opportunities that the show presents. 

West Pak Avocado, a grower, packer and distributor of premium avocados, added Jennifer Zendejas to its sales team. As director of sales and business development, Zendejas’ responsibilities include partnering with new retailers, building relationships and helping them develop their avocado category. She will work at a national level to secure new business for West Pak and help grow the company’s market share.

The Fresh Produce & Floral Council will hold its annual Holiday Luncheon & Charity Auction Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Sheraton in Cerritos, CA.

Fresh off the inaugural IFPA conference and trade show held during late October in Orlando, FL, Wada Farms is among several hundred exhibitors at the 2022 New York Produce Show at the New York Hilton and Javits Center in downtown Manhattan.

A warm, dry summer with limited rain reduced acreage for some of the typical Rio Grande Valley winter crops, but the growing weather has been excellent for creating top quality production. At least that was the report from Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association. “We’ve seen a decrease in acreage in some of our plantings, including onions, cabbage and greens,” he said. “But those same conditions that reduced acreage are great growing conditions. B...

The eighth annual Kayla Bernardi Bee Positive 5K Fun Run/Walk will be held Jan. 28, 2023 in Turlock, CA to honor the late daughter of Joe Bernardi, president and CEO of Bernardi & Associations. Registration is now open at beepositivefoundation.org.

The Texas International Produce Association held its annual Pull-for-PAC Skeet Shoot fundraiser Nov. 17, raising money for the association’s activities in Washington, DC, and Austin, TX. The event has grown each year and has become extremely popular with TIPA members. This year, 20 teams registered and more than 100 people were in attendance.