GR Fresh celebrates 20 Years at IFPA Foodservice Conference
GR Fresh celebrates 20 Years at IFPA Foodservice Conference
GR Fresh is committed to three core sectors — production, distribution and transportation — that form the foundation of its long-term success. These strategic efforts have solidified the company’s reputation as a knowledgeable and resilient leader in the fresh produce industry for decades.
Originally founded by Juan Gonzalez Reyes, more than six decades ago, the company continues to prosper in its efforts to impact food supply in North America.
One of the ways it has stayed on top for so long is by maintaining strong relationships and keeping current of the pulse of the industry. That’s why the IFPA Foodservice Conference has been a must-attend for the company through the years.
“This will be our 20th year attending and it’s a show that allows us to reconnect with existing partners, develop new ones and help us discover new market foodservice trends hopefully finding a new niche that we can help supply,” said Tony Incaviglia, vice president of sales and marketing for the McAllen, TX-based company. “Our process includes setting meetings with strategic partners to tell our story and define their needs that we can help with.”
Networking and building relationships, he added, have been the soul of the business since he can remember, which is why renewing old acquaintances and building new ones is critical. The IFPA show is always a great way to do that.
“The days of simply growing and selling on the open market hoping you will hit a good market is a thing of the past,” he said. “Relationships and true partners are what we growers look for and thrive to find to continue our growth to achieve sustainability as a company and employer.”
GR Fresh will be represented by team members at booth No. 724, where it will showcase its staple items of tomatoes, green and color peppers, cucumbers, avocados, zucchini and yellow squash, eggplant and some of its value-added foodservice packs.
Among the recent trends the company has concentrated on deal with a focus on health and wellness, and Incaviglia expects this will be a big topic of conversation on the show floor.
“We’re seeing healthier eating habits, plant-based eating and more and more consumers becoming more environmentally conscious, which directly impact those dietary preferences,” he said. “It is my hope that we will see more vegetable-based food applications, which of course will be a good thing for our industry.”
After the show concludes, when he looks back, a winning show for Incaviglia will be one where GR Fresh gets to tell its story, discuss its roots, social responsibility and sustainability efforts, along with supply consistency and strong capabilities the company is known for.
“At the very least, we hope to walk away with a couple strong new potential partners,” he said.
