GrubMarket has completed the acquisition of Nogales, AZ-based SunFed, a successful and tech-driven fresh produce company that provides high-quality fruits, vegetables and dry goods that are produced by growers in over 30 locations, including 15 Mexican regions.

SunFed currently operates in Arizona and Texas, is one of the top importers of squash into the U.S., and has a strong reputation for being an industry leader in both technology adoption as well as food-safety practices.

“We are currently in the heart of the Nogales deal,” said Katy Johnson, purchasing & marketing manager at Prime Time Produce, speaking of their Mexican pepper operation. Sourced primarily in Western Mexico, Johnson said, “our growing partners throughout Mexico have all been strategically chosen to eliminate the potential gaps that tend to occur as production transitions from one area to another.” 

Coast Produce saw a bit of a slow start to its Mexican produce season, but an increase in volume out of Southern Sonora and Northern Sinaloa brought things back to a more even keel after Thanksgiving.

 Ryan Jacobsen, the sales manager at Coast’s Nogales, AZ, division, said supplies of chili peppers, one of its top items, were tight at the beginning of the deal in the fall. 

Since its founding 15 years ago, Grower Alliance has been focused on providing its customers with the highest quality fruits and vegetables, and the best possible customer service. The company has doubled down on that commitment with the launch of two new divisions.

Michelle Jacobson of Grower Alliance said the company opened Grower Alliance Logistics in October following the merger with Lugos Trucking. It now has eight tractor trailers that will enable it to better facilitate transportation for its products.

Though specific vegetable production areas typically have peaks and valleys, Divine Flavor is altering its planting schedules and utilizing multiple growing districts in Mexico to deliver a consistent supply of its core products to its many U.S. retail customers.

Over the past seven years, Joe Bernardi, president of Bernardi & Associates Inc., and his family have raised more than half a million dollars for charities through the Kayla Bernardi BEE Positive Foundation.

“It really is more than monetary,” said Cathie Bernardi.  “It is about how many lives we can touch, and how far we can spread Kayla’s BEE Positive message.”