Tony Alameda Elected as New Grower-Shipper Association of Central California Chair
SALINAS, CA - The Grower-Shipper Association of Central California (GSA) is entering a new era for its Board of Directors. The association recently held its Board meeting on Wednesday, October 21, and announced the appointment of Tony Alameda, Principal of Top Flavor Farms, as the new Chair.
"This year has presented unprecedented challenges for all of us,” Alameda says. “Throughout the pandemic, GSA has worked diligently to support the efforts of farming operations to protect farm workers through its collaborative efforts to create early workplace prevention guidance, the establishment of a model quarantined housing program, accessing PPE, and facilitating expedited COVID-19 testing. I’m extremely proud of this work but we must continue to advance solutions-based programs to address our region’s most critical challenges which include protecting farm workers and finding innovative ways to improve food safety for the benefit of consumers as well as protect our ocean, rivers, and environment along the Central Coast.”
A second-generation farmer, Alameda, along with his two brothers, Steve and Craig, and father, Mel, began The Alameda Company, formerly known as L.S. Williams Company in Fremont, California. Established in 1983, their farming operation focused on vegetable production in both California and Mexico. Top Flavor Farms was established in the Yuma, California, region and expanded into the Salinas and San Juan Valleys and has grown into a diverse, family farming operation that produces over two dozen different commodities.
According to a press release, Alameda is also a Co-Founder of Sabor Farms, a farming operation with an emphasis on specialty items. Tony and his wife, Cathy, also established Gud Pak Harvesting, which has since partnered to transform into today’s Foothill Packing. Alameda is President of United Vegetable Growers Cooperative, a member of San Benito and Monterey County Farm Bureaus, and supporter of San Benito and Monterey County fairs.
Alameda takes over the role of Chair from Jason Smith, President and CEO of Smith Family Wines.
“Jason has led this organization through a leadership change, food safety crises, and the pandemic, among other challenges,” Alameda says. “His calm and decisive approach was integral to guiding and focusing this organization and its programs through these tumultuous times. We have emerged stronger and better and we thank Jason for that.”
Alameda will lead the organization as its Chairman for the 2020/2021 period. Tom Nunes V of The Nunes Company will serve as Vice Chairman and Victor Ramirez of NorCal Harvesting will serve as Secretary Treasurer. In addition, the Board of Directors serving GSA members include Rodney Braga (Braga Fresh Family Farms); Allan Clark (Merrill Farms); Patrick Collins (Bengard Ranch); Melissa Duflock (Duflock Vineyards); Steve Ish (Taylor Farms), Jay Iverson (GreenGate Fresh); Colby Pereira (Braga Fresh Family Farms); Jason Smith (Smith Family Wines) and Robert Verloop (Coastline Family Farms).
“This Board is committed to the GSA mission of advancing families, food, and farming on the Central Coast,” says GSA President Christopher Valadez. “Farming and agriculture will continue to encounter challenges, foreseen and unforeseen, but we are well prepared to meet those with our Board’s leadership.”
Congratulations to Tony Alameda on this exciting appointment!
