MCALLEN, TX - Along with the warmer weather here in the Northern Hemisphere, spring and summer bring along new opportunities to promote fruits and vegetables at retail and foodservice. That being said, a partner that delivers consistent supplies is invaluable. Take GR Fresh, for example, as it undergoes its Mexico transition.

“The transition is upon us as we work through challenges,” Tony Incaviglia, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, told me. “We are hoping that plants and ranches that have been in play since November and December carry us into the new summer growing regions, providing our customers with as seamless a transition as possible.”

GR Fresh’s season never winds down in Mexico—the grower simply moves growing regions and picks up where it left off. According to Tony, GR Fresh’s summer/fall program is growing stronger every year as it continues to offer staple items such as Roma tomatoes, avocados, bell peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, zucchini, and yellow squash, along with value-added packs for retail and foodservice partners.

As Tony mentioned, this past season has presented multiple challenges to the industry. Even with those obstacles in place, GR Fresh is working to mitigate shortages and provide its partners with an excellent supply.

“This year’s winter program has been as challenging as we have had in the 14 years I’ve been involved in this sector of the industry. Inconsistent weather patterns and inflation reared their ugly heads. Weather impacted supply and inflation had impacted demand,” Tony explained. “So much for the old saying, ‘the tighter the supply, the higher the demand.’ That was not the case this winter; if there had been any kind of normal demand, markets would have flourished.”

With GR Fresh’s Mexico transition currently underway, the grower is looking forward to a successful season ahead.

Stick with ANUK for more crop updates year-round.

GR Fresh