W.P. Produce, located in Miami, continues to source and distribute the finest tropical produce and exceed customer expectations. The company began operation in 1984. Today founder and Chief Executive Officer Willy Pardo and his daughter, Vice President Desirée Morales, are focused on produce safety, product line diversity and innovative packaging.

Southern Specialties’ Florida-grown heirloom tomato deal starts at the end of November, Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, said in late October. “This will be part of a comprehensive heirloom program that includes tomatoes grown in Guatemala and Mexico.”

The company uses its well-known “Southern Selects” label on the heirloom tomatoes and other products that it ships to retailers and club stores. It also does a major business in the foodservice sector.

The Nickey Gregory Co. LLC in Forest Park, GA, has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years leading to regular expansion of the company’s headquarters on the Atlanta State Farmers Market, a tomato operation in College Park, GA and a second warehouse in Miami.

The Gregory Co. recently became a Platinum Partner with PrimusLabs and all three locations are Primus GFS- and HACCP-certified with Superior ratings.

Paul Boris of Deerfield Beach, FL-based AgriTrade Farms LLC began his career at age 13 working with his father on the Pompano State Farmers Market in Pompano Beach, FL. That partnership continued until 1995. Now things have come full circle as his son Brent Boris works alongside him.

“My father was a tough teacher and one of the legendary characters at the Pompano market,” Paul Boris said. “My son has joined me in the business, so I guess you could say I’ve come full circle. I guess you could say it’s in the DNA.”  

There have been numerous produce growers and shippers in the news lately for reasons they would rather not be: recalls, foodborne illness outbreaks and, in one notable case, even prison terms for company principals.

“Unfortunately, the court of public opinion renders its verdict within 24 hours after the first reporter calls or the first TV camera goes on,” said Cheryl Miller, chief executive officer of Tampa, FL-based At The Table Public Relations. “How you handle the first 24 hours of a crisis can make all the difference.”

Lipman, headquartered in Immokalee, FL, and one of the nation’s larger growers of open-field tomatoes, long ago made a major commitment to research and development that is now yielding major results.

The company unveiled its latest proprietary round variety, the “Crimson Queen” at PMA Fresh Summit last month, improved flavor and a bright red interior. On the heels of that announcement, the company is now introducing its new proprietary “Ripe Bites” grape tomatoes, which also offer better flavor and color and higher sugar than other varieties.