During this year’s Viva Fresh, TIPA celebrated the vibrant spirit of the fresh produce industry while also paying tribute in memoriam to Texas produce icon Craig Fox of Fox Packaging.

The Viva Fresh Open golf tournament, presented by BEBO Distributing and H-E-B, posthumously honored Fox with a $25,000 scholarship in his name. Funds were raised through registrations from the annual golf tournament, which was held this year at the Golf Club of Houston in Humble, Texas. The scholarship is open to employees of TIPA member companies and their immediate family members.

Fox died in 2023, after dedicating more than four decades of service to the produce industry. After graduating from Texas Christian University in 1982, Fox started his career at his family’s business, Kenneth Fox Supply Co. (now Fox Packaging). As Fox’s vice president of sales, his innovative approach and dedication to building relationships propelled the company to new heights – with a passion and vision for the industry that were unmatched, according to a news release.

“Described as a visionary and a friend to many, Fox’s impact extended far beyond the industry,” according to the release. “He was known for his deep understanding of the market challenges and his unwavering commitment to his customers. Craig’s legacy lives on through his sons, Jacob, and Dylan Fox, who continue in his footsteps at Fox Packaging.”

During the Viva Fresh Open, Ed Bertaud, IFCO’s director of retail sales, co-chair of the tournament and member of the Viva Fresh steering committee, announced the posthumous scholarship in Fox’s honor.

“As the industry continues to cherish Craig’s memory, his passion and dedication serve as an inspiration for all,” Bertraud said in the release. “Once a year we have the opportunity to recognize and honor a member of the Texas produce industry who is no longer with us but made numerous contributions to our industry. Craig is not only a member of a family, but also a member of a family business that we all would struggle to find a better example of, in terms of legacy, excellence, education and promotion of our industry and I’m so proud to have him as this year’s recipient.”

The Viva Fresh Open scholarship provides funding for students pursuing any educational opportunities related to any field of the fresh produce supply chain. This includes not only four-year college degree tracks, but also technical and certification-related tracks, such as electrical, HVAC and heavy equipment operators. Thanks to funds raised from previous Viva Fresh Golf Opens, more than three dozen scholarships totaling more than $150,000 have already been awarded to help the region’s supply chain develop the next generation of produce professionals.

For more information about the Viva Fresh Open Golf Tournament and the scholarship in Fox’s honor, please visit vivafreshexpo.com or contact the Texas International Produce Association at info@texipa.org or call (956) 581-8632.

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Fox, a flexible packaging supplier, died April 17 at 91 years of age.

“With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Kenneth Fox,” leaders of the Texas International Produce Association stated in a news release. “Kenneth was a true pioneer in the packaging industry. His incredible journey, unrelenting dedication, and unmatched commitment to excellence has left an enduring legacy in our industry and in our hearts.”

In 1962, Fox started what would be known today as Fox Packaging. Fox’s journey to becoming a worldwide flexible packaging supplier started from humble beginnings. Fox was a burlap and mesh bag salesman for a company in Kansas City, Missouri. Residing in Kansas City, Fox’s sales territories included North Dakota, Florida and Texas. Territories far from home required Fox to spent most of his time on the road. He made the difficult decision to move his wife and four children to south Texas and start manufacturing packaging on his own.

Six sewing machines in the back of a melon shed was the beginning of what would become Kenneth Fox Supply Co., which later became Fox Packaging.

“Kenneth’s entrepreneurial spirit allowed him to identify niche markets and discover solutions to problems not yet realized,” according to the release. “The openness and acceptance of the Texas produce industry in those days gave him the opportunity and resources he needed to get his start.”

Fox is survived by his wife Elaine, Valerie Mehis (Jim), Lori Goldman (Bruce), Keith Fox (Bruni), and Aaron Fox (Danielle), 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Kenneth Fox was preceded in death by his parents Anna and Louis Fox and his son Craig Fox, who died in 2023 at 62 years of age.

Continuing with Kenneth Fox’s vision are his sons, Keith, president, Aaron, executive vice president and president of Fox Solutions. Four of Kenneth Fox’s grandsons, Lucas, Jacob, Dylan and Noah, also work in the company.

“Kenneth’s pioneering spirit and dedication to quality laid the foundation for the company’s success as he emphasized the importance of family and relationships,” according to the release. “Throughout his career, Kenneth remained guided by the principles of integrity, innovation and family. He instilled these values in every aspect of Fox Packaging’s operations, ensuring that the company not only thrived but also served as a beacon of excellence in the industry. As we mourn the loss of an industry leader may we celebrate Kenneth’s enduring legacy and honor the impact he has had on our industry.”

Fox was buried April 19 in McAllen, Texas. Details on planned memorial services are expected to be released as they become available.

For more than 60 years, McAllen, Texas-based Fox Packaging has been a leading partner in delivering new flexible packaging solutions to growers, according to the release. The company’s commitment extended beyond bag designs, focusing on safeguarding product quality and elevating brand recognition for the fresh produce industry, according to the release.

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The program will bring more than 40 Texas university system students to the Viva Fresh Expo on April 13, the final day of the three-day event in Houston.

Formally known as Aggies for Fresh, the program rebranded last year with a mission to offer college students throughout Texas educational resources, networking opportunities and career mentorship to expose them to categories throughout fresh produce seeking new talent to fulfill roles in emerging sectors.

This year’s participants include students from Texas A&M (College Station), Texas A&M (McAllen), Tarleton, Texas State and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The participating students are studying agriculture, accounting, finance and more, and are seeking employers that align with their career goals.

“As our industry evolves, it is imperative that we keep the next generation and their skills at top of mind,” Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of TIPA, said in a news release. “With the agriculture industry contributing to two million jobs statewide, and fresh produce playing a significant role in creating job openings, incorporating current students and upcoming graduates into our companies is imperative to creating the future leaders of tomorrow.”

EDGE sponsors this year are Fresh Texas, Texas Department of Agriculture, Perricone Farms, Delta Fresh Produce, Grower Alliance LLC, and Sunview Marketing. Through their sponsorship, students throughout the state will have the opportunity to attend the Viva Fresh Expo, and interact with produce professionals looking to employ the next generation.

New developments include a section on the EDGE website called “Student Resources,” which will feature blogs and webinars from fresh produce industry professionals. All guest speakers have more than 10 years of experience ranging from careers in sales to senior level management. The program is live on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook including content that provides students tips and updates on current industry affairs.

EDGE acts as a resource for both employers and students who are looking to make connections and take their careers to new heights. The food industry is worth $1.5 trillion, and while Texas contributes to a small portion of the overall job market, it is important to note that their impact is strong in categories including sweet onions, watermelon, and grapefruit.

“EDGE was formed to encourage students to learn and take on up-and-coming roles within current and emerging sectors in our industry,” Galeazzi said in the release. “On behalf of TIPA, we are proud to host a program that provides value and exposure to the fresh talent looking to create a career path that gives them an EDGE throughout any fruit or vegetable category that resonates with their interests and objectives.”

Companies interested in meeting with EDGE students or who would like to submit job openings or internships for students to review in advance should email Sabrina Wilson at sabs@fulltiltmarketing.net.

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Smith will manage a portfolio of key accounts, overseeing communication, streamlining artwork changes and guiding packaging programs.

She will work closely with Jen Doxey, director of sales, Victoria Lopez, marketing and brand manager, and Fox Packaging manufacturing teams, to support the sales team by generating new opportunities in produce and non-produce sectors.

“Jensie’s addition to the Fox Packaging team is a significant step forward in our commitment to serving our customers with excellence,” Doxey said in a news release. “Having worked very closely with Jensie at Giro, I look forward to leveraging her reputation for actively nurturing client relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction through seamless project management.”

Before joining Fox Packaging, Smith was customer service and accounts manager at Giro Pack, where she was for 11.5 years.

“I strive towards proactive communication and education to keep up with consumer and sustainability trends,” Smith said in the release. “The retail side especially has grown over the last 5 years, and I have learned so much to help the retailer and packer work through the new packaging process efficiently. I am excited about the diverse packaging options at Fox Packaging and look forward to working with many companies I already know and being introduced to new accounts as well.”

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More than 850,000 acres have burned, and several fires are still not fully contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service, according to a news release.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest wildfire in Texas’ history, continues burning. The wildfires ignited on Feb. 26 under warm, dry and windy conditions and have blazed a trail of devastation across the region, according to a Texas Farm Bureau news release.

“It’s a devastating situation for Panhandle towns, families and agriculture,” Texas Farm Bureau officials said in the release.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster for 60 counties, which include all of the panhandle and as far south the counties to the immediate south of Lubbock and as far east as Wichita Falls, with counties just northwest of Fort Worth.

According to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), during the summer and fall months, the panhandle and northwest regions grow watermelons, cucumbers, carrots, squash, onions and potatoes. According to ag statisticians, most of the potato production is in the northwest panhandle and counties bordering New Mexico with a major potato packer in Dalhart. Most watermelons are in the southwest part of the region. About 90% of Texas’ pumpkins are grown in west Texas.

Late summer through fall, panhandle growers grow apples and peaches. The panhandle is home to seven other (lower than “minor”) apple producing counties, including a grower northeast of Lubbock, with two in the adjacent Oklahoma panhandle. For peaches, 14 counties are other with one minor. Pecans are grown in the southern part of the panhandle.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has announced his commitment to providing unwavering support to the state’s agricultural producers as they deal with the aftermath of the devastating wildfires burning in the Texas Panhandle.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire, one of five active fires devastating the region, continues with minimal containment. Additionally, several grain and seed operations have reported total losses.

“Commissioner Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture are ready to provide vital assistance to Texans in need through agricultural relief funds, essential hay and feed resources, and feeding programs for affected families,” TDA officials said in a news release.

“The Smokehouse Creek Fire is closing in on becoming the largest fire on record in Texas,” Commissioner Miller said in the release. “These fires not only threaten lives and property but will also have a substantial impact on our agriculture industry. Over 85% of the state’s cattle population is located on ranches in the panhandle. There are millions of cattle out there, with some towns comprising more cattle than people. The losses could be catastrophic for those counties. Farmers and ranchers are losing everything.”

TDA’s State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund, or STAR Fund, is calling for donations to assist panhandle farmers and ranchers. The STAR Fund mobilizes resources to support affected agricultural producers.

Funded 100% through donations, TDA reimburses qualified agricultural producers 50% of eligible expenses. STAR Fund financial resources cannot be used as compensation for crop or livestock losses but rather to help rebuild fences, restore operations, and cover other expenses related to agricultural disaster relief and restarting operations, according to the release.

To be eligible, an agriculture business/operation/ranch/farm must reside in a county included in the governor’s disaster declaration. Wildfire disaster declaration counties can be found here.

“Donations will go a long way toward rebuilding the Panhandle,” Commissioner Miller said in the release. “We stand in solidarity with our farmers and ranchers facing loss and destruction. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this challenging time, and we’re committed to supporting their recovery efforts every step of the way.”

Additionally, 16 school districts closed due to the wildfires. TDA will permit school districts to provide meals and continue to serve kids under the unanticipated school closure waiver flexibility.

To donate or for more information on the STAR Fund please follow this link.

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These positions, along with alternates for each, are being filled for three-year terms that begin Jan. 1, 2025:

• Four regional U.S. positions  — Northeast, South, Midwest and West
• Importer
• Exporters representing Chile, Peru and Mexico
• Public member

Potential nominees will be presented to the USHBC for final candidate selections at the next USHBC meeting. The council will recommend candidates to the secretary of agriculture, who will make the final appointments.

Nomination forms are online and are due by March 5 via email: elections@blueberry.org.

Producers and importers of highbush blueberries approved the establishment of the USHBC through a referendum conducted by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service in 2000. The program is funded by an assessment of $18 per ton on domestic highbush blueberries, and $18 per ton on fresh and processed imported highbush blueberries. Market promotion activities funded through the USHBC began in January2002.

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Commercial scale propagators have licenses and material for sale for the 2024 planting season.

Sweet-Ark Immaculate is a trademarked thornless, floricane-fruiting blackberry that offers medium to large berries that have been shown to hold up well after harvest. Floricane varieties produce flowers and fruit on second-year canes.

“It is named to highlight its berry quality, which is beyond reproach, and its late-ripening season,” said Margaret Worthington, director of the Fruit Breeding Program for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. “People have been asking about a new late-season variety from the Arkansas program for a long time now. The main advantages Sweet-Ark Immaculate has over other late-season blackberry varieties are its outstanding postharvest performance and its great yield potential.”

The experiment station is the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Worthington said Sweet-Ark Immaculate demonstrates a step forward for blackberry firmness, which aids in holding up well during storage and shipping. Postharvest trials at the Fruit Research Station near Clarksville, Arkansas, show that Sweet-Ark Immaculate had better fruit firmness than all comparison cultivars after two weeks of refrigerated storage.

Maintaining quality in postharvest storage is especially challenging late in the season, Worthington added, because it is when temperatures are high and spotted wing drosophila pest pressure increases.

Despite its late-ripening window, red drupelet reversion and leak ratings for Sweet-Ark Immaculate were similar to earlier season varieties like Sweet-Ark Caddo and Sweet-Ark Ponca, she noted. Red drupelet reversion occurs when the individual round segments on the blackberry turn from black back to red during or after postharvest storage.

Late-season love

Late-season varieties are treasured for growers in the shipping industry to command a higher premium because less fruit is available during that period. Worthington said it is also nice for local growers who can have fruit available at farmers markets, fruit stands or pick-your-own operations later in the season.

At the Fruit Research Station, Sweet-Ark Immaculate is typically ready to pick the last week of June through mid-to-late July. Worthington noted that this period is 10 to 14 days after the harvest of Ouachita but in season with Navaho and Von.

Like Sweet-Ark Ponca, Sweet-Ark Immaculate has shorter-than-standard canes and a reduced space between leaves, also known as the internode length.

“It fills the trellis, but the first-year canes are a little bit shorter than standard,” Worthington said. “This has an advantage for growers because you don’t have to tip during the busy season when harvesting fruit. So, it can spread out the workload a little bit.”

The term “tipping” refers to summer pruning on new blackberry canes performed during the growing season to manage plant height and increase yields by promoting lateral branching.

Including Sweet-Ark Immaculate, the Arkansas Fruit Breeding Program has publicly released 22 blackberry varieties, with 16 of those being floricane fruiting.

Sweet-Ark Immaculate is available for licensing to propagators. Contact the Technology Commercialization Office for licensing information at 479-575-3953 or at agritco@uada.edu.

— University of Arkansas Department of Agriculture

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Participants at the Oct. 18-20 Texas Fruit Conference in Fredericksburg, Texas, received a grounding in how weather events — as well as proper tree selection — can affect production, and steps they must take to grow healthy trees.

Researchers from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in College Station discussed the myriad of obstacles — as well as opportunities — facing growers.

Monte Nesbitt, Extension program specialist of pecans/ fruit/citrus, described growing conditions in Texas, particularly this year, as “fruit Ground Zero.”

“I’ve been a horticulturist for a long time,” Nesbitt said. “It was rough this year and it’s going to be rough next year and in the year after next, probably different than 2024.”

Many crops cannot grow well in Texas. Walnuts and sweet cherries, for example, aren’t in abundance.

“A lot of people want to grow peaches and want to grow apples, the popular fruit, but, no, you can’t do it,” said Tim Hartmann, assistant professor and Extension
specialist for fruit in Blanco.

Depending on a grower’s location, they can grow apples and peaches, but it will require a lot more work than other fruit. Asian persimmons and European American hybrid pears are much easier to grow in Texas, he said.

After site selection, deciding what to grow is the most important consideration because “it doesn’t matter how good your site is or how good of a job you do taking care of those trees, if you’re not growing the right thing, it doesn’t matter,” Hartmann said.

For many reasons, Texas doesn’t see as much fruit production as other states, including California and Washington.

The top reason, particularly for peaches, is spring frost, which can occur as late as April 7. Add unpredictable weather and temperature variance plus heavy rains and high humidity hitting the wrong times during the growing season.

An orchard may get an afternoon shower during the summer, which didn’t happen much this year. It quickly dries, but a grove receiving a tenth of an inch at night, benefits from wet leaves throughout the night.

“It’s about how long water remains on tree tissues,” Hartmann said. “That’s going to create a lot more problems for disease. We have little orchards typically surrounded by a lot of wild areas, a lot of pastures and a lot of woods, so we have all kinds of insects and pests that are going to keep on coming in.”

Tree selection is vital to orchard establishment. To avoid planting trees containing pests such as the peach tree borer, growers should evaluate their trees before planting, said Larry Stein, professor and Extension horticulturist in Uvalde.

“When you plant trees, you have to start with good trees,” he said. “If you start with a tree that’s not good, then you’re starting way behind the curve. I personally still like bare root trees. You get them from a good nursery and the roots are healed in soil and you see how those roots are covered with soil, you’re not going to have a problem. It’s only when you get them from a nursery that doesn’t take care of their trees that you can run into an issue.”

Stein pointed to a grower who planted bare root trees in March, later than the early January to early February recommendation. The trees are doing well at four to six feet tall.

In discussing site and resource evaluation for new fruit, Jim Kamas, associate professor, Extension fruit specialist and director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Viticulture & Fruit Lab in Fredericksburg, noted the changing Texas peach industry.

In 1996, when he returned to Texas from Cornell University, the state had 3,500 acres of peaches. Today, it’s declined to a third of that.

In the 1990s, many growers with 100-150 acres would pick, pack and truck fruit to the San Antonio terminal market, where if they received $10-$12 a box, 40 to 50 cents a pound, they thought they were doing well.

Many changes have occurred since then, including an aging grower demographic.

“There are only a handful of young people in the business today,” Kamas said. “There are older people behind them, but they’re the next generation that’s coming on and I’m really encouraged to see as many young people in the crowd today interested in growing. It is a wonderful job, but it’s hard, hard work.”

The Pedernales River that flows through the Texas Hill Country produces soils ideal for fruit production. Fruit trees on 12-18 inches of coarse loamy sand benefit from quick drainage, even during heavy rains. That helps oxygen quickly return to the soil after a significant rainfall.

“That’s really important because trees suffering from too little water look exactly the same as the trees suffering from too much water,” Kamas said. “Without both oxygen and water in the root zone, plants can’t take up water or nutrients.”

Plants suffering from drought or too much water show leaves drooping.

“That’s because they’re not getting oxygen from the soil and there’s no uptake,” he said.

Conversely, red sandy clay subsoils have a high water capacity. Some Texas groves this summer received favorable rains in April but suffered a drought the rest of the summer.

“At least there was some water in that subsoil that could maintain plants over a period of time,” Kamas said. “If you didn’t have irrigation on plants this year, many of them died. This gives you the best chance of success, especially for peaches or pears or some of our deeper rooted crops.”

The sessions covered a variety of topics, with sessions dedicated to apples, pears, stone fruit, table grapes, raspberries, figs, olives, disease and ,insect threats, orchard integrated pest management, time management and also included tours of commercial fruit growing operations in the Fredericksburg area.

— Doug Ohlemeier, assistant editor

Top photo: Participants in the conference attend an irrigation workshop. The event also featured sessions on growing fruit tree. Photo courtesy of Larry Stein, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

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The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) plans to induct five individuals into the Texas Produce Hall of Fame.

Scheduled for January 29 at the Mission Events Center in Mission, Texas, the event recognizes outstanding leaders who have significantly contributed to the betterment of the produce industry in Texas, according to a news release.

The 2024 inductees are:

• James Bassetti, Little Bear Produce
• Frank Schuster, Val Verde Vegetable Co.
• Bruce Frasier, Dixondale Farms
• Bernie Thiel, Sunburst Farms
• Danny Arnold, AW Produce (Posthumous)

Renowned for his decades-long dedication to excellence and innovation in the produce industry, Bassetti is a well-respected figure whose contributions have left a lasting impact, according to the release.

Schuster is a leader in quality and a driving force behind the success of Val Verde Vegetable. Schuster’s commitment to excellence has set a benchmark for others in the industry, according to the release.

Frasier is honored for his tireless efforts in advancing the onion industry. His leadership and commitment to positive change have made a significant mark on the agricultural landscape, according to the release.

Thiel is recognized for his outstanding contributions to the produce community. His commitment to sustainable farming practices and community engagement has made him a respected and influential figure, according to the release.

In remembrance of his contributions to the industry, Arnold will be honored posthumously.

Additionally, Jim Henderson of Jim Henderson Co. will be receiving the Scott Toothaker Award for his dedication and service as a partner to the industry. The Scott Toothaker Award, established in 1989, honors individuals not directly involved in production agriculture who have made immense contributions nonetheless.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony promises to be an evening of celebration, honoring the achievements and legacies of these exceptional individuals. Considered one of TIPA’s most treasured events, the event is held every other year by TIPA for the last 36 years. The banquet provides the opportunity for today’s industry members to pay tribute to the leaders and role models who paved the way for future generations in the produce industry.

In addition, the banquet also serves as a fundraiser for the William E. Weeks Agricultural Scholarship, established to encourage future generations to carry on the hard work of our past leaders and pursue education in the field of specialty crop agriculture.

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