“This citrus program is brand-new for us, so we’re learning something every day,” she said. “But we are fortunate to be able to rely on our growing partner and his expertise. We have the facilities and packing sheds certified for organic, so we’re ready to go. We’re just waiting to see how much volume we will have and what production will look like as we step into this new market. I am very excited to see how this all unfolds.”
Espinoza said that in addition to the new organic citrus program, Produce House is also looking to grow its four-year-old organic garlic line.
“That’s been a developing program that has complemented Produce House’s offerings,” she said. “It kind of fell in our lap and was a very small project, but it continues to grow and is something more that we can offer in the organic sector.”
Earlier this fall, Produce House was busy with its popular hard squash program, and Espinoza said movement was robust and pricing was very good.
“October and November are always good months for hard squash, which starts to wrap up by Thanksgiving,” she said. “Between the good movement and pricing, it was a nice season”
Other lines for Produce House include cucumbers, which Espinoza said started in October and see a gap in December before picking back up in March; and tomatoes, which are expected to start in mid-December with rounds and Romas and carry through the spring.
“These are the programs that repeat each year,” she said. “The production that we planted is the same each year.”
The recent SWIPE convention was another highlight this fall for Produce House, said Espinoza, who began a two-year term as chair of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas.
“It was a great turnout – better than we expected,” she said. “I was really excited about the people who attended from different sectors of the industry, such a retailers and foodservice, and I was really happy to see all the distributors from here in Nogales. I think it really speaks to the community we have here.”