FRESNO, CA - When I think of Levon Ganajian, I think of a warm smile, a fatherly handshake, and a good story. When I last saw his happy face, we promised to connect later so he could share with me how he met Trinity Company Founder David White. To know that this will not be was a devastating loss, one of many being felt throughout our industry upon the sudden and unexpected news that the Vice President of Retail Relations, industry veteran, and friend passed away earlier this week.

Trinity Fruit Company shared its deep sadness in announcing the news, relating that Levon was a valued member of the team for the past 10 years.

Since joining Trinity in 2015, Levon helped drive relationships and sales with current retail partners and prospects across all commodities Trinity has to offer. He was extremely personable and loved talking to everyone. His network of industry friends is extensive, as he was a leader, a mentor, and an advocate for everyone he cared about in his 40+ years in the produce industry.

“Our beautiful friendship evolved over 30 years,” expressed David White, President of Trinity Fruit Company, in a recent press release. “I cannot put into words what he means to me. I was honored to have the opportunity to work together on our side of the business, a career transition he loved and mastered seamlessly. He was a wonderful husband and a very proud father.

He had an incredible work ethic, and he was and is an inspiration to me. I will never be able to master cooking on the Green Egg the way he did, and I pray now that he is in Heaven, he will use the time to get some new joke material, as his wife Stacie would so often ask of him. I can’t wait to hear it.”

Before joining Trinity, Levon spent over 25 years in retail with Safeway, with a 14-year stint as the Senior Produce Buyer in Visalia, California before relocating to Arizona in 2002 to be a National Commodity Manager and eventually the Manager of Commodities in Corporate for Produce in Phoenix, where he called home. His passion for produce started early in life as his first job was bagging groceries at Ralph’s Market in Los Angeles. He was an avid gardener with a genuine love of produce, family, friends, and life in general.

Trinity Fruit Company is a family-owned grower, packer, and shipper of fresh, dried, and frozen fruits, as well as premium refrigerated juices, delivering “Fruit for Every Season^™. The company is renowned for its dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainability, ensuring its customers enjoy the best nature has to offer.

I am grateful to Levon for the handful of moments he shared with me and do not doubt his passing is a great loss for many. Levon leaves behind his wife, Stacie, and his son Armand and daughter Gia. 

He will be greatly missed by his Trinity family and the produce industry. May we all hold each other a little closer in his memory.