EDINBURG, TX - As Tropical Storm Hanna recently traveled from the Gulf of Mexico to Texas, we got in touch with some of our most prominent supply-side friends in the area. Following heavy rains, flooding, and coastal winds, I checked in with Trent Bishop, Vice President of Sales at Little Bear Produce, to see how the grower was faring.

“Very fortunately for us, we had no crops in the ground in South Texas. However, the storm did destroy all of our land prep and wind breaks that had been done in preparation for the upcoming growing season,” Trent told me. “All of our celery transplants were still in the greenhouse and early reports reflect that they survived.”

As the California-based team at ANUK doesn’t have much experience with this type of weather event, Trent reminded me that hurricanes and the risk associated with them are something the company lives with on the Gulf Coast. This means there is only so much the team can do to prepare and protect Little Bear crops against them.

“The storm will not impact our supply. However it greatly impacted the lives of our employees. Many of their homes were damaged and are still without power,” Trent explained. “Personally, I sustained some damage and experienced an extended period of time without power as well. We are so happy to report that none of our employees were harmed, however.”

Though the event is far from ideal, it’s important to remember that Mother Nature is always in control—in the produce industry or otherwise. At the end of the day, we are extremely thankful to hear that our friends over at Little Bear Produce are still going strong.

For more updates on recent weather events, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.

Little Bear Produce