RIO RICO, AZ — The World War II vessel USS New Jersey is the most decorated battleship in the history of the United States Navy. In the last 20 years, many thousands of tourists in Camden, NJ, have walked on the deck of the ship-turned-museum and admired the nine enormous guns, grouped in fearsome threes on the broad decks.

John Lichter, the sales manager of Lisa Inc., here, not only served four years in the U.S. Navy aboard the New Jersey, but also was aboard when all nine of these 16-inch cannons were fired simultaneously. “They did it once. It was the last time,” he said.

RIO RICO, AZ — The “Champagne” brand Ataulfo mangos shipped by Ciruli Bros. LL, from Chiapas, Mexico, were coming into the market in mid- to late February, putting the fruit ahead of the previous year, according to Chris Ciruli, chief operating officer of the family business, based here.

“We have better sets than last year,” Ciruli said.

RIO RICO, AZ — “Everyone we are working with adheres to a food-safety program,” according to Steve Yubeta, vice president sales and marketing, for Farmer’s Best International LLC, headquartered here.

Beyond PrimusLabs’ food-safety audits, “a different company audits each grower every week, including our own farm. This is what the industry calls for. It’s part of being a good partner to our customers. Through technology, other folks are growing similar quality so a food safety program is becoming even more important,” Yubeta said.

RIO RICO, AZ — Mexican watermelons and a diverse vegetable shipping program are on the docket this spring for Greenpoint Distributing LLC, located here.

NOGALES, AZ — As the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas works to expedite uninterrupted produce trade between Mexico and the United States, Georgina Felix, FPAA’s foreign affairs director, works with leaders on both sides of the border to smooth the trade route.

Felix, who has a degree in industrial engineering, started her career in communications in Mexico City, working for the national department of agriculture.

RIO RICO, AZ — A handshake with a Mexican grower 29 years ago put Bill Sykes in business. No contracts were ever signed, but trade continues to expand for grower-representative Sykes, who is president of The Sykes Co., based here.

His winter and spring watermelon offerings are expanding as key commodities for Sykes.