Urapa Produce, a grower-packer-shipper of Mexican tropicals, announced its acquisition of Bland Distribution Services. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for Urapa Produce as it expands its capabilities and strengthens its position in the market.

Baldor Specialty Foods announced several additional strategic hires and structural changes aimed at enhancing customer service, achieving future goals, and ensuring continued growth and success.

The company reported:

In some ways it is difficult to believe that Raquel Espinoza has been working in the produce industry for three decades. Her youthful exuberance and enthusiasm belie the fact that it was a long climb up the ladder to where she is today.

“I was exposed to the produce industry early on as my father worked for a Customs house, but I am a first-generation produce person,” she said. “My first job was with Meyer Tomato and I really enjoyed it and remained there for 12 years before moving on to a few different companies, and eventually to opening Produce House nine years ago.”

Susan Tavilla grew up in a Boston produce family with deep roots dating back many decades, but the old school nature of the Sicilian patriarch didn’t see a place for women in the family business.

“We are Sicilian and it was the belief that the men worked and the women stayed home,” said Susan as she ironically plans for the end of a successful and long career at P. Tavilla Co., one of the mainstays at the New England Produce Center.

BK Trucking has been in business for more than four decades, the majority of business transporting bananas out of the Port of Wilmington. Its two biggest customers are Dole and Chiquita.

Working in Newfield, NJ, the operations are five minutes from the Vineland Cooperative Produce Auction. BK Trucking hauls Jersey Fresh produce as well as Chilean imported fruit. The company also hauls for other industries, including flatbed loads of steel, sod and grocery items.

This year, the company has seen consistent business thanks to its mainstay — the banana business.

Atlanta is known for a large, successful produce scene thanks to a group of dedicated companies and growers that have been working in the area for decades.

In fact, the city has been branded the “King of the Southeast” by many in the industry due to its hotbed of activity for those working in the produce industry.