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.”

Amid a smaller national apple crop, Cosmic Crisp apples will launch as a year-round variety on Dec. 1 as it grows in volume, especially in organics. Cosmic Crisp is poised for promotion this season and retailers can ensure an organic ring at checkout with Stemilt’s EZ Band.

Inflation is hitting record highs and experts warn of a looming recession, which makes sales more difficult to predict. The Society of American Florists is helping retailers focus on profitability with the 

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.

Monterey Mushrooms has named Andrea Smith its director of sales for the western region, which spans from Seattle to Phoenix and Denver to Houston. Smith will manage the sales territory supported by California and Texas farms. She will serve retail, club and foodservice customers in those markets.