Continental Fresh is a grower, shipper and importer of fresh fruits and vegetables from Latin America, specializing in mangos year-round. Connecting dependable growers to its customers in the U.S. market, Continental Fresh has nurtured a reputation of being highly knowledgeable of the import market, providing regular market updates and forecasts to ensure that its product is delivered on time and in peak condition.
For nearly two decades transparency and integrity with both growers and buyers has been a key component of Continental Fresh’s success, but it has greater ambitions than being the import experts.
The journey began in the 1980s, spearheaded by Albert Perez, a visionary leader with a passion for servant leadership. In 1985, Perez took a significant step, founding LIFO Missions, a non-profit organization dedicated to building water systems in Latin America. The profound impact of LIFO inspired individuals, like Danny Rodriguez, to start their own non-profit initiatives years later.
Today, the outcome of Perez’s passion and influence is known as BLUE Missions. This legacy of leadership and commitment to social responsibility laid the foundation for Continental Fresh’s ethos.
In 1987, Perez embarked on his foray into the produce industry at the Port of Miami, where he started as a filing clerk for Chestnut Hill Farms. He worked his way up through various roles, including accounting, warehousing, and inventory management, before transitioning into the role of sales assistant. Under the mentorship of seasoned salesman Chuck Olsen, Perez developed key sales skills that he still leans on today. Growing up in a Cuban family surrounded by mango trees in Miami, Perez’s early connection to mangos ignited his ambition to introduce the tropical fruit to the broader U.S. market. He recognized the untapped potential of mangos and embarked on a mission to elevate the mango category. His efforts were successful and grew the mango category to what it is today.
Today, Continental Fresh stands as a beacon of sustainability and community development in the produce industry. Through its Water For All program, a cornerstone initiative, Continental Fresh donates a percentage of proceeds from every Water For All branded box of mangos to BLUE Missions, supporting clean water and sanitation projects in Latin America. To date, Continental Fresh has contributed more than $150,000 to BLUE Missions, empowering communities and fostering positive change.